What’s Your Preference?

zona5101 · #11 (**permalink**) 05-09-2011, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhursey

Saves me money from having to go out and buy another softbox for my speed lights.. I still want an Apollo 28 inch but moneys tight.

or a separate speedring...

kevingeary · #12 (**permalink**) 05-09-2011, 10:25 PM

cheetahstand.com has a "speed pro" bracket that fits alienbees speed rings.

bhursey · #13 (**permalink**) 05-10-2011, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevingeary

cheetahstand.com has a "speed pro" bracket that fits alienbees speed rings.

So this one would work? Cheetah Speed Pro Bracket MKII

They really need to make a dual flash version

I will put this on my list to save for thanks for the tip Kevin.

kevingeary · #14 (**permalink**) 05-10-2011, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhursey

So this one would work? Cheetah Speed Pro Bracket MKII

They really need to make a dual flash version

I will put this on my list to save for thanks for the tip Kevin.

I'm sure the dual flash bracket will come soon.

keep in mind the AB speedring is separate for that. But it's pretty inexpensive.

Their QBOX 24 is amazing, btw and comes with it's own universal adapter/speedring/stand mount for flashes.

GreggObst · #15 (**permalink**) 05-15-2011, 04:30 PM

Regarding hte Vagabond, you will see that they are on "backorder" on the Paul C. Buff site. They had issues with their suppliers for some of the parts and so you can pretty much write off getting them again from Paul any time soon. I would recommend getting the Vagabond Mini Lithium from Paul. They are small, light (relatively speaking), you can get extra batteries that you can change out in the field and they have ridiculously good life (> 700 flashes on a single charge). You can find a good video review of it at http://youtu.be/Nlbgg2USa-o I use mine with an AB800 out in the field and either a 60" Octabox or the P.C.B. 86" Silver Parabolic Umbrella with the white diffusion cover.

Regarding the 28" Apollo Softbox for speedlights.... Yes, if you can afford it, grab one. You may also want to look at a Lastolite three head cold shoe adapter. With that, you can put up to three speedlights in that Apollo for when you really need to do something like over power the sun on location. Two things you should be aware of with the Apollo is that your Speedlights are INSIDE the softbox and so if line of site problems with whatever triggering mechanism you will be using become an issue, you may need to invest in some radio triggers. On my Nikon with CLS, it still triggers the speedlight even though it is in the softbox, no problem The second thing is that there is no inner diffusion panel in the 28" Apollo like there would be in some other brands of softboxes.so you may want to consider draping a silk over the front if you require a much softer light than can be natively found with that Apollo.

Hope that helps.

bhursey · #16 (**permalink**) 05-18-2011, 07:29 PM

Ok did my first out side shot with it... I was able at about 6 feet do f10 f11 at 100iso and1/250 at 3pm.. However I liked getting the softbox real close to the camera and have my wife about 3 feet away at 1/2 power created really soft light.

So here is my first AB outside picture. My wife makes a good test subject dont you think

i speak in math · #17 (**permalink**) 05-18-2011, 08:07 PM

The first one looks really good. Nice work.

The second one looks a little too hot and the light seems to be coming from the bottom.

This is with the AB400 and a softbox? Looks like it overpowered the sun pretty well.

bhursey · #18 (**permalink**) 05-18-2011, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i speak in math

The first one looks really good. Nice work.

The second one looks a little too hot and the light seems to be coming from the bottom.

This is with the AB400 and a softbox? Looks like it overpowered the sun pretty well.

Yep it was with the AB400 i was in the 1/2 power range on the first shot the softbox was literally leaning on my head ans shoulder because the ground in between my house was not level enough to have the stand stand up. I was closer to 1/1 on the second shot but the soft box was about 6 feet away on that one. yes it was low because my wife did not want the neighbors seeing the strobe so it was in the nook by our door. So it was not elevated. It was one of those lets rush out try this and hope no one sees us type of shoots. LOL!!