Fix for too-soft Softbox: Some of these boxes just don't want to expand or at least, stay that way. It would seem they would be far more effective if they did, so........ I wanted an...

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

Some of these boxes just don't want to expand or at least, stay that way. It would seem they would be far more effective if they did, so........

I wanted an easy, quick, and effective fix for my soft box diffuser that I could undo easily for repacking. I had a few ideas, all of which involved small carbon fiber rods (and still will). This is idea #1.

For the purpose of experiment and illustration, I used what was on hand which was bamboo skewers. You could color them black if you like. I will be using CF rods. The pictures that follow show a 5 minute job that I did on my smaller 5"x6". You can leave the points on the skewers to make the holes. When I do the 6"x8", I will most likely make a few refinements. I don't think many, if any, will be needed though.

This idea works well enough, I doubt I will even experiment with #2 and/or #3.

This is just to give anyone with the same issues a possible place to start on a fix.....season to taste :wink:

Very rigid

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

My 6x8-in FotoDiox softbox diffuser has the same problem. This idea looks promising.

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

This is the same box I was using for the spiders shot at 1:00am Sat that had such bad hot spots.
I just went out to the same subjects, same conditions and had much, much better lighting. Easier to control, far more uniform and evenly distributed.
It may not be pretty (yet) but, it seems to be working much better.
The CF rod I intend to use, will be a much smaller diameter, therefore, less obvious.

majestros Loc: Miami, FL

Looks good! Thanks for sharing, I'll let you know if I try it. My softbox is already a little broken (one of the "lens" support rods broke).

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Ah, a little "Yankee ingenuity".

:thumbup:

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

I think after I use carbon fiber rods I have in mind, it won't look quite so ghetto. The previous photos are only a prototype.

GW Loc: Idaho

Had the same problem, but rather than putting holes in the box I glued Velcro along the edge . Then cut some small sticks to length and glued the opposite Velcro. Works great ,be sure to use good gripping Velcro . Sorry would include pics ,but in the hospital again....Good Luck....By the way pop sickle sticks with a little paint work great.

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

GW wrote:

Had the same problem, but rather than putting holes in the box I glued Velcro along the edge . Then cut some small sticks to length and glued the opposite Velcro. Works great ,be sure to use good gripping Velcro . Sorry would include pics ,but in the hospital again....Good Luck....By the way pop sickle sticks with a little paint work great.

I did consider Velcro but, thought it would not stick well enough. I do have some Industrial Velcro that just may do the trick. I'm not sure about aesthetics though. I think that idea may be back on the board.

GW Loc: Idaho

Flyextreme wrote:

I did consider the Velcro but, thought it wouldn't stick well enough. I do have some Industrial Velcro that just may do the trick. I'm not sure about aesthetics though. I think that idea may be back on the board.

I used some auto mobile Velcro and cloth glue , glued the soft piece of Velcro on the top and bottom of side panel. then painted the sticks black and added the Velcro. ....Craft glue works great for this ...no harmful fumes....Good luck...I've made these a year ago and still work......

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Here is Bill Hudson's version 1.1, as rigged on my 6x8-in softbox diffuser, using 1.5-mm diameter carbon-fiber rod. All four panels have the same modification. A small hole was punched in each panel near the 'face' pleat, so the rod butts against raised edge. Top & bottom panels have second hole fairly near small end of 'funnel', whereas the side panels are farther away from end in order to miss internal cloth light diffuser, stretched side-to-side. Kudos to Hudson.

Top & side panel with black carbon rod inserts

Close-up of side panel

View of softbox "collapse" without modification

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

The 1.5-mm & 2-mm diameter rods are plenty stiff. The 1.2-mm rods I looked at were a bit flimsy, but might work. You could use more than one rod per panel or run them the other direction if needed.

Thank you for posting pix of the fix, Douglass.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Screamin Scott's variation on softbox modification: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-6.html#3842241

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I'm going to try out something new for my illumination. I have a bounce card, but this looks like it might be better. Waiting on it to arrive. If it doesn't work as I hope, I might just modify it to be like a "Better Beamer" as I have a Fresnel lens that I can cut down to fit.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/16x18cm-Flash-Softbox-Diffuseur-Reflecteur-p-Nikon-SB910-SB900-SB800-SB700-SB600-/261545827159?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_210&hash=item3ce5589b57

A-PeeR Loc: Houston, Texas

Screamin Scott wrote:

I'm going to try out something new for my illumination. I have a bounce card, but this looks like it might be better. Waiting on it to arrive. If it doesn't work as I hope, I might just modify it to be like a "Better Beamer" as I have a Fresnel lens that I can cut down to fit.

I was thinking about a better beamer concept as well Scott. My idea is to build the Fresnel inside the standard DIY hardbox and finish it off with the a paper towel diffuser face.

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

I have a few bounce diffusers that I have been trying to find the time to test with my soft box. One design looks very promising http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/506962-REG/Harbor_Digital_Design_DD_A15_Bounce_Diffuser_for_Canon.html

And an 8"x 12" soft box :shock: I'm sure it will spread the light even more but, I also expect it will be very cumbersome :|

I need to figure out a good way to do a controlled test....anyone?