Opoinions on these Ebay Softboxes $70 for TWO

[Stackinchips]

This guys is local from me. A 45 min drive. Possibly thinking about getting these. Money is very very short for me right now. And I want softboxes more than anythign for my alienbees.

http://cgi.ebay.com/LOT-OF-2-NEW-60x90CM-PHOTO-SHOOTING-SOFT-BOX-SOFTBOX_W0QQitemZ180106338728QQihZ008QQcategoryZ79 008QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

What do you think about these? Or is it worth just getting the alien bees?

Also do you think they''d even fit?

[moviemaker]

I have ones very similar to these, although mine are 90 x 90. I must admit, you get some great ohotos with the boxes.

[Stackinchips]

Thanks man, I think I just might go ahead and get them. Beats spending $100+ each, especially when the money aint coming through...



Any other opinions or "NO GO's" ?????

[MPG Photography]

I was looking at those too (local as well)....did you see that he put them on Craigslist last week for $30/ea?

Here is the listing... http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/pho/312627605.html

Let me know how they work out and I'll probably pick up a set. :)

[cskn0125]

I'm not sure if it matters, but it does not look like the front is entirely covered. Just looks like a diffuser directly in front of the strobe which then spread the like using the box.

I wasn't sure if that was a concern but I just thought I'd help you out. Great price though...I would try them out for that price.

[moviemaker]

good point cskn.

Mine have a diffuser and than a panel that slips over the entire front. If you enlarge the photo that shows the rear, you will notice strips of Velcro, which holds the front cover on

[zacker]

add says it comes with a front cover... so im thnking its got a white cover to go on the front OVER the diffuser...

[Stackinchips]

Yea unfortunetly he did not show a picture (w/o the flash going off) of the front cover. Hopefully that is just the internal diffuser we are see'ing... You know what I found another auction for 2 36x36 (which would be a better size for me anyways). They are around $60 too, after shipping. I am going to go pick those ones up and order them today.

Oh and Matt.. yeah thats the craigsist ad I saw today and went to his eBay id from there.

[FlashZebra]

I have used the very inexpensive softboxes as cited above, and much more expensive expensive softboxes from Photoflex and Chimera.

I cannot tell any difference in light quality.

The more expensive units are typically more robust and accommodate standard speedrings.

The inexpensive units typically come with a one size "fits nothing really well" speedring.

I have made mechanical "bushings" to adapt the tension rods that come with the inexpensive softboxes to the more standard speedrings (these standard speedrings custom fit various flash heads and fit nicely, unlike the speedrings that come standard with the inexpensive softboxes).

Enjoy! Lon

[Ray Marrero]

I have a set and after a while of setting up and putting away, the corners broke through. I guess if you set it up permanently it should last a long time. I travel with mine so I need to sew some type of re-enforcement to the corners.

The lighting is great though.

[Pinto]

This guys is local from me. A 45 min drive. Possibly thinking about getting these. Money is very very short for me right now. And I want softboxes more than anythign for my alienbees.

http://cgi.ebay.com/LOT-OF-2-NEW-60x90CM-PHOTO-SHOOTING-SOFT-BOX-SOFTBOX_W0QQitemZ180106338728QQihZ008QQcategoryZ79 008QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

What do you think about these? Or is it worth just getting the alien bees?

Also do you think they''d even fit?

Buy it for $26.00, shipping is $36.00!?? This is where some e-bay merchants get to you. With shipping they are $62.00 each. Not so cheap.

[siejoka]

Hey, this seems like a pretty nice entry level softboxes, let us know how it performs Stackinchips. Also, I wonder if the supplied speed ring would fit ABs?

[FlashZebra]

Hey, this seems like a pretty nice entry level softboxes, let us know how it performs Stackinchips. Also, I wonder if the supplied speed ring would fit ABs?
Fit is a relative term.

The supplied speedring will not fit in a positive manner (like the Alien Bee or other "standard" speedring will fit). In other words it will not fit like a speedring specifically designed to fit on the Alien Bee units (or any other flash manufacturer).

In addition, to use the tension rods that come with the inexpensive softboxes with a "standard" speedring, you must modify the tension rods by adding bushings on the tension rod ends where they fit in the "standard" speedring.

I custom machined my own bushings for this adaptation and I am considering producing a home brew kit so others can do this (use these inexpensive softboxes with a "standard" speedring), I just have not got it together just yet.

These inexpensive softboxes are a good buy, they work nicely, but the supplied speedring is nothing you would want to use.

But, team the inexpensive softboxes with a "standard" speedring and then you have a good combo. But, you have to customized the inexpensive speedring tension rods to pull this off.

Enjoy! Lon

[Stackinchips]

Buy it for $26.00, shipping is $36.00!?? This is where some e-bay merchants get to you. With shipping they are $62.00 each. Not so cheap.

Well it's actually a package of two... well then I guess if you add in the $30 AB speedrings thast $60+ more. Im gonna get them and see how the cheapo rings work.

[FlashZebra]

Well it's actually a package of two... well then I guess if you add in the $30 AB speedrings thast $60+ more. Im gonna get them and see how the cheapo rings work.
Please post your observations and impressions on the speedrings after you get them. I am curious to know your take on the one size fits all speedrings.

Enjoy! Lon

[Stackinchips]

Ok I ended up getting these.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=002&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=120108253762&rd=1&rd=1

36x36's.

They should be here atleast by monday since it's shipping from So. Cal. I'll post a report wiht pictures when i get them.