|
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-10-2014, 06:46 AM
|
| |
Exactly.
That's what I did, and what I saw was slight darkening in the corners, and then I began to see the texture of the front diffuser itself.
That's the whole idea of these softboxes. I believe these images will help:
 |
|
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-07-2014, 06:30 AM
|
| |
I confess that I did not. I believe it would indeed have helped, at the cost of some light power loss.
Interesting and valid point. Though I'm not sure I'd want to risk damaging my softbox in inclement conditions. Still, packing a flash in a flexible enclosure would help protect it against wind gusts and accidental falls.
I tested this thoroughly when I received my softbox. That particular model did come with an included reflective bowl (like the inner part of a beauty dish). I didn't observe any visible gain by using it, and I didn't observe hotspots even when lowering the light output enough that the texture of the softbox became visible. I believe this is because the forward-facing umbrella softbox has a central rod and bracket to hold the apparatus, it serves as a reflector of sorts for the center beam.
good point, I didn't think of that because I do use a boom in most situations. I couldn't live without one now.
|
|
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-06-2014, 11:36 AM
|
| |
The speedring that came with my Fotodiox is plenty strong, but I fully agree that a cheap speedring would be a weak point.
I'm not sure the double flash system would work well, except with small flash heads. My softbox is made to accept (with the right adapter) bowens and alienbees, in addition to speedrings, and the whole wouldn't accommodate fully two flash heads.
If I did want to get two heads, however, I'd use an elastic band to attach both heads together ;)
My tests with an octa Apollo from Westcott gave me light that didn't "wrap around" like a "regular" softbox. To my eyes (and that is very subjective) it was, as I wrote higher, between an umbrella and a regular softbox. It's still a fine design.
|
|
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-06-2014, 06:28 AM
|
| |
The reflective umbrella softboxes are nice, but that's not what I was refering to. I'm not a particular fan of that particular design, for two reasons:
1-the flash is inside, so except if you get a remotely adjustable units (Godox, Cactus) you have to open the shole setting each time you want to adjust the power, zoom, etc.
2-The light output, while very nice, is not the same as a regular softbox. It,s somewhere between an umbrella and a sftbox.
I was refering to softboxes such as these:
An example is found here:
Amazon.com : Fotodiox Pro Studio Solutions EZ-Pro 36" Octagon Softbox for Bowens Gemini Standard/ Classica Powerpack and Pro Series : Photographic Lighting Soft Boxes : Camera & Photo
I personnally use a 48x34 inches rectanular softbox. Once assembled, it's a true softbox, with the flash directed towards the subject and no reflections (except on the sides of course). Mine came with a bracket to mount speedlights, but you can get versions to mount studio strobes from all the big brands (you could simply purchase the correct adapter after the fact of course, the softbox can accommodate them all).
|
|
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-04-2014, 02:34 PM
|
| |
Fro softboxes, if you plan on mounting and folding them often, by all means get the quick "umbrella" folding types. Westcott makes them, Fotodiox also (mine is a Fotodiox, I love it and it's not too expensive). 2 seconds to assemble instead of 5 minutes. It's bigger when folded however.
As for stands, I got many brands, and have yet to see an actual difference between them. The sturdiest I got is a Dynatran (actually a boom), I've got Impact, Westcott, one no-name, and they're pretty much all the same.
---------- Post added 2014-11-04 at 04:35 PM ----------
Fro softboxes, if you plan on mounting and folding them often, by all means get the quick "umbrella" folding types. Westcott makes them, Fotodiox also (mine is a Fotodiox, I love it and it's not too expensive). 2 seconds to assemble instead of 5 minutes. It's bigger when folded however.
As for stands, I got many brands, and have yet to see an actual difference between them. The sturdiest I got is a Dynatran (actually a boom), I've got Impact, Westcott, one no-name, and they're pretty much all the same.
|
