What’s Your Preference?

BryanPanting · #1 (**permalink**) 05-06-2011, 12:57 PM

Looking for some recommendations on a good softbox to go with a a Canon 580ex. Right now I just have a 430ex and use an umbrella with that, but I am looking to add the 580 soon. Wondering what would be a good size and brand to go with it. Also should I get something other then an umbrella for the 430?

RLucas · #2 (**permalink**) 05-06-2011, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BryanPanting

Looking for some recommendations on a good softbox to go with a a Canon 580ex. Right now I just have a 430ex and use an umbrella with that, but I am looking to add the 580 soon. Wondering what would be a good size and brand to go with it. Also should I get something other then an umbrella for the 430?

I haven't gotten it yet, but the Westcott Apollo 28" or the 60" depending on what you want to do, seems to be a good choice. That is what I plan on doing when I order my kit, which comes with umbrellas.

OsmosisStudios · #3 (**permalink**) 05-06-2011, 01:22 PM

RLucas: That is a HUGE (60") softbox that a speedlight will have trouble illuminating properly, even at full-power.

I use a 24" model for my work. It's a bit on the small side but it provides such wonderful light.

BryanPanting · #4 (**permalink**) 05-06-2011, 01:29 PM

yeah I was wondering about the 60" being to big for one speedlight. The 28 sounds like it may work well though. Most of the work I would be using it for would be children and pets. Would something like that be good for say two average sized dogs? Figure I could use that as my main and the 430 as a fill. I am still working on learning lighting so any advice would be appreciated. Thanks for the tips so far.

Rentham · #5 (**permalink**) 05-06-2011, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

RLucas: That is a HUGE (60") softbox that a speedlight will have trouble illuminating properly, even at full-power. I use a 24" model for my work. It's a bit on the small side but it provides such wonderful light.

If he's referring to the Westcott 50" Apollo JS, then it works just fine with a speedlight. You lose about 2 stops of light so you're definitely not taking it outside to overpower the sun or anything. But it does a great job in many other circumstances.

Quote:

The 28 sounds like it may work well though. Most of the work I would be using it for would be children and pets. Would something like that be good for say two average sized dogs?

I have both the 28" and 50" and I love them both. But something to watch on the 28" is the falloff. It is fine for a single subject, but even then you might see some fall off around the lower legs. You can back it off for more even spread, but then your already smallish softbox gets even smaller in size relative to the subject. If you are often shooting more than one subject, I'd seriously consider the 50".

zona5101 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-06-2011, 02:17 PM

Part of the answer to your question may be found by determining what it is about your umbrella set up that you are unsatisfied with...
example, your umbrella gives too broad a light and you want a more defined focused soft light...then a smaller SB, maybe with a grid would be your solution. If the umbrella is just pushing too much spill to the floor ceiling and causing you grief with too much stray light and not giving you a controllable feather then a bigger box might do the trick. Maybe a strip light give you the narrow defined light you are after...
Knowing how your umbrella is not getting the job done will tell a lot about the type of softbox to aquire...

BryanPanting · #7 (**permalink**) 05-06-2011, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Part of the answer to your question may be found by determining what it is about your umbrella set up that you are unsatisfied with...
example, your umbrella gives too broad a light and you want a more defined focused soft light...then a smaller SB, maybe with a grid would be your solution. If the umbrella is just pushing too much spill to the floor ceiling and causing you grief with too much stray light and not giving you a controllable feather then a bigger box might do the trick. Maybe a strip light give you the narrow defined light you are after...
Knowing how your umbrella is not getting the job done will tell a lot about the type of softbox to aquire...

I would have to say for the most part I don't really have much of a problem with the umbrella. I was thinking of trying a softbox though to soften the light more and hopefully get some more control over there the light is going. If that makes sense.

RLucas · #8 (**permalink**) 05-06-2011, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

RLucas: That is a HUGE (60") softbox that a speedlight will have trouble illuminating properly, even at full-power.

I use a 24" model for my work. It's a bit on the small side but it provides such wonderful light.

Oops, my mistake. I am still deciding on a monolight kit, or a speedlight kit. Sorry for the misinformation.

Rentham · #9 (**permalink**) 05-06-2011, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BryanPanting

I would have to say for the most part I don't really have much of a problem with the umbrella. I was thinking of trying a softbox though to soften the light more and hopefully get some more control over there the light is going. If that makes sense.

All other things being equal, a 60" shoot through umbrella will give softer light than a 28" softbox. At about a quarter of the price, if you're talking about an Impact 60" convertible umbrella vs. the Westcott Apollo. The Apollo softboxes do have recessed fronts, though, which gives a little extra control on spill.