Umbrella Softbox
May 25, 2015 19:01:11 #
Just got a new softbox, haven't had a change to use it yet, but was wondering if anyone has any experience with this one. Its a 32" octagon umbrella softbox with dual flash bracket. It's made by Fotodiox and was $39.95 on Amazon. So far I'm impressed with the quality. I'm using two Godox V850 speedlites in it. With an ISO of 100 and with both speedlites at full power it measured f/18 without the diffuser and f/11 with the diffuser at a distance of 5 feet. With the Godox radio trigger I can adjust the power of the speedlites with the diffuser in place.
May 25, 2015 19:37:25 #
Seems like a pretty nice set-up....and with 2 flash's....whoa!!...some super big light.
May 26, 2015 01:52:57 #
If you use iso 200 and set your speed lights to half power, you will get the same results with a faster recycle time on the flashes.
May 26, 2015 08:17:05 #
I have the same umbrella and I love it. I have not used it without the diffuser yet. Easy to set up and very portable. Great soft light. I use one SRL 350 Strobie with mine at full power, with diffuser, at 6 feet from subject and get great light. Very nice, natural window light effect and great catch lights.
May 26, 2015 09:59:46 #
I'm using the same setup with 2 Canon 600 EX-RT Speedlites. Great for outdoor portraits with strong sky backlight unless it is windy. Then I just use the 2 flashes without the umbrella. Need a sturdy stand though.
May 26, 2015 11:39:01 #
wayne-03 wrote:
Just got a new softbox, haven't had a change to us... (show quote)
It has been my experience with the cheaper soft boxes and umbrellas, time is the real test...i.e. will the stitching hold or will the fabric tear
May 26, 2015 12:07:00 #
jim quist wrote:
If you use iso 200 and set your speed lights to half power, you will get the same results with a faster recycle time on the flashes.
Is there any advantage to this? If I'm using light modifiers it's usually in situations where speed doesn't matter. OTOH, I can see where it would be good when a strong fill light is needed shooting in daylight.
May 26, 2015 14:48:36 #
wayne-03 wrote:
Just got a new softbox, haven't had a change to us... (show quote)
Other than being only 32" its a great setup. You do need to get as close to the subject as possible with this. A 47" or larger umbrella would give you a little more flexibility as far as placement.
May 26, 2015 15:46:07 #
wayne-03 wrote:
Just got a new softbox, haven't had a change to us... (show quote)
I like these. I have the single flash version.
The ONLY thing that bugs me is that it stays vertical; the zipper part won't fully open to allow you to tilt it farther so I ended up having to buy a boom stand.
May 26, 2015 15:47:23 #
Gene51 wrote:
Other than being only 32" its a great setup. You do need to get as close to the subject as possible with this. A 47" or larger umbrella would give you a little more flexibility as far as placement.
Yeah...truth.
32 is a pretty small softbox and in my experience, more for tight headshots.
I have a 60" umbrella that's for full length.
May 26, 2015 17:04:58 #
Wayne, I have been toying with the idea of a set-up similar to that for a while for location stuff.
I think I'm having a little trouble getting past the part that a speed light may not be able to produce the power necessary for an outdoor shoot except for very tight shooting. I've just been heavily influenced by what Joey L does with a Rotolux.
About 2weeks ago I bought a Vagabond pack, but sloshing lights is a chore.
I'd like to see some of what you can do with your set-up outdoors. Thanks. ;-)
SS
I think I'm having a little trouble getting past the part that a speed light may not be able to produce the power necessary for an outdoor shoot except for very tight shooting. I've just been heavily influenced by what Joey L does with a Rotolux.
About 2weeks ago I bought a Vagabond pack, but sloshing lights is a chore.
I'd like to see some of what you can do with your set-up outdoors. Thanks. ;-)
SS
May 26, 2015 17:15:56 #
OddJobber wrote:
Is there any advantage to this? If I'm using light modifiers it's usually in situations where speed doesn't matter. OTOH, I can see where it would be good when a strong fill light is needed shooting in daylight.
Less drain per shot on the batteries?
May 26, 2015 20:09:29 #
rpavich wrote:
I like these. I have the single flash version.
The ONLY thing that bugs me is that it stays vertical; the zipper part won't fully open to allow you to tilt it farther so I ended up having to buy a boom stand.
The ONLY thing that bugs me is that it stays vertical; the zipper part won't fully open to allow you to tilt it farther so I ended up having to buy a boom stand.
Another feature I really liked on this unit was that the pivot point is not inside the soft box. The pivot point on this unit is outside the soft box allowing you to tip the soft box a full 180 degrees.
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