Softbox help

[lynweber]

I'm going to order an Alienbee b400. But I want a softbox. Can't afford the one they offer with it. I'm afraid of the quality and I'm not sure what to look for on deciding. I found these on ebay

LOT OF 2 32x40 SOFT BOX SET SOFTBOX with METAL RING - eBay (item 150535257192 end time Dec-24-10 01:00:19 PST)

Are there other cheaper alternatives that I could get?

[zona5101]

You need the AB ring - muy importante! You can buy other softboxes and you can even sometimes find someone else that makes the AB ring... but you can't use a ring designed for a different manufacturers light.
Looks like ABs smallest SB is $120. 2'x3' and that includes the ring
Take a look at the Calumet Novas:
Digital cameras, lenses and photo gear at calumetphoto.com
With these or boxes from others manuf you still need the $30 ring

[lynweber]

Originally Posted by zona5101

You need the AB ring - muy importante! You can buy other softboxes and you can even sometimes find someone else that makes the AB ring... but you can't use a ring designed for a different manufacturers light.
Looks like ABs smallest SB is $120. 2'x3' and that includes the ring
Take a look at the Calumet Novas:
Digital cameras, lenses and photo gear at calumetphoto.com
With these or boxes from others manuf you still need the $30 ring

What lighting system would you recommend from them? Their boxes are cheaper too, do they make the speedring for alienbee?

[papeter]

I have been give a job by a friend to photograph childrens clothing for her website. I saw on ebay that many people are selling Fluorescent Daylight Balanced Photo Bulb kits
with Softboxes. I can buy 2 stands plus 10 x 45 Watt 5000k Compact bulbs plus softboxes for £139.00.

Am I better having this lighting system rather than bounce flash into brollies?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks



Peter

[lynweber]

Zona - i think the 400 genesis is like the b400 is the correct? Is it as good of a light? I don't know much about them but everyone loves AB. Thanks!

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by lynweber

What lighting system would you recommend from them? Their boxes are cheaper too, do they make the speedring for alienbee?

ABs are great lights. I don't think that you would go wrong with them. At $30 the AB ring from AB is a good value. Most rings for other lights are that much or more. So you could get a AB400 light, an AB ring and a softbox from Calumet.

Calumet makes decent lights (Genesis is their budget monoblocks and Travellites there "pro" lights) Photoflex makes decent prosumer lighting gear too.

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by lynweber

Zona - i think the 400 genesis is like the b400 is the correct? Is it as good of a light? I don't know much about them but everyone loves AB. Thanks!

I have never played with the Genesis. I have messed with the Travellites and they are very nice. I have purchased a bunch of stuff from Calumet including their softboxes and they make decent stuff. They also have great customer service and really shined when they recently goofed up an order... long story short I believe the Genesis would be a fine choice. I am a little concerned about the availability of light modifiers and I think from just looking at pictures, the connectors on the Genesis reflectors don't look at stout as ABs, travellites, of photoflex. I am sure its one of the ways they made them less expensive. It that a deal breaker? probably not.

[zona5101]

And I should mention...you can get effective results with umbrellas and they are a lot less expensive that softboxes - a nice big 60" umbrella maybe a good alternative to start with! (as long as you have the room, otherwise a 45" might be more manageable)

60" umbrella, sb25 portable strobe:

[lynweber]

Zona

Thanks for all the great tips. I currently have a huge umbrella I don't know the size exactly so I can still use it. I think I am better just getting the AB. After all they are what everyone around me has recommend and the light quality is great! Lovely photo!