Softbox for 580exII?

[xmacvicar]

Now that i'm getting into the strobist type quality of off camera light, I need some more equipment. I have a 580ex II and PW's....but now I am looking for a good sized softbox that will work with my 580....any suggestions?

As well, if anyone knows any technical jargon regarding Guide Numbers' and the power of my 580ex II, please spill the beans! Anything I will need to consider to start taking quality snaps!

Thanks!

[queenbee288]

The info about guide numbers for your flash should be in you manual.

[xmacvicar]

Yes, I know this...

but information on the guide numbers in relation to shoots with softboxes, and power....I was kinda looking for practical/real life explanations rather than the generic and often archaic wording of the flash manual...

[scot079]

Lumiquest makes a softbox for the 580. But it's nothing compared (size)to a softbox that you can put on a studio strobe. I think you should get an umbrella bracket/umbrella/lightstand. It'll run you around $100 for all that from B&H.

[Curtis N]

When you attach any kind of modifier to a flash, it's near impossible to guess at a guide number, compared to the flash unit's guide numbers without the modifier.

But if you have a flash meter, you can measure it at a certain distance and figure it out.

[atomick]

I have one of those small Lumiquest Mini Soft Boxes - not impressed, I think primarily due to its size. The light quality seems fairly harsh to me. I've seen shots using (but have never personally used) the Photoflex Q39 extra small softbox, which looks larger and, from the shots I've seen, softer than the Lumiquest one I'm using. You could also consider a bounce-type diffuser, sold by all sorts of folks, or you can make your own out of craft foam (google DIY Flash Diffuser for various how-to's).

My two cents,
-Atomick

[stathunter]

I have one of those small Lumiquest Mini Soft Boxes - not impressed, I think primarily due to its size. The light quality seems fairly harsh to me. I've seen shots using (but have never personally used) the Photoflex Q39 extra small softbox, which looks larger and, from the shots I've seen, softer than the Lumiquest one I'm using. You could also consider a bounce-type diffuser, sold by all sorts of folks, or you can make your own out of craft foam (google DIY Flash Diffuser for various how-to's).

My two cents,
-Atomick


I second the Q39's

[cdifoto]

I thought about getting a softbox for my flashes, but then I decided against it. I don't think the max light spread out of the head can make proper use of a large softbox and you'd end up with a hot spot through the diffusion material. Studio strobes have bulbs that throw light back, forward, and to the sides - hitting all the panels in the softbox relatively evenly. Hot Shoe flashes are more directional...pushing most of it forward in a beam type pattern. Might work for a small softbox, but IMHO that's not much different to an umbrella of similar size.

I could be wrong though.

[viperx27]

Yes, I know this...

but information on the guide numbers in relation to shoots with softboxes, and power....I was kinda looking for practical/real life explanations rather than the generic and often archaic wording of the flash manual...

every flash has a different guide number, they give an avg, and usually a high avg in the manual. its up to you to test it and find it.

easy way, measure off 10', use a handheld flash meter at 10' away, find the correct exposure. say is f/16, that would be a guide number of 160 (F stop x 10 [because of the 10'] at a certain iso}. Keep i mind that the guide number is iso dependent, so if that was a GN 160 at iso 100, it would be 220 at iso 200 (goes up like the aperture scale).

and on cheep flashes watch that they don't list is as GN 110 at iso 200 or 400, means its really low powered at iso 100.

[tmonatr]

I thought about getting a softbox for my flashes, but then I decided against it. I don't think the max light spread out of the head can make proper use of a large softbox and you'd end up with a hot spot through the diffusion material. Studio strobes have bulbs that throw light back, forward, and to the sides - hitting all the panels in the softbox relatively evenly. Hot Shoe flashes are more directional...pushing most of it forward in a beam type pattern. Might work for a small softbox, but IMHO that's not much different to an umbrella of similar size.

I could be wrong though.
This might be better than an actual softbox when using a hotshoe flash:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/75852-REG/Photek_SL6000_Umbrella_Softlighter_II.html

[cdifoto]

This might be better than an actual softbox when using a hotshoe flash:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/75852-REG/Photek_SL6000_Umbrella_Softlighter_II.html

I've considered one or more of those too. I might go for it but the price kinda makes me pause.

[scot079]

I thought about getting a softbox for my flashes, but then I decided against it. I don't think the max light spread out of the head can make proper use of a large softbox and you'd end up with a hot spot through the diffusion material. Studio strobes have bulbs that throw light back, forward, and to the sides - hitting all the panels in the softbox relatively evenly. Hot Shoe flashes are more directional...pushing most of it forward in a beam type pattern. Might work for a small softbox, but IMHO that's not much different to an umbrella of similar size.

I could be wrong though.

I mainly use the Lumiquest SB for macro and I get an even spread if I flip down the "wide" panel on my 430EX. If not then just the center of the box lights up which doesn't do very much good.

[ben_r_]

Lumiquest makes a softbox for the 580. But it's nothing compared (size)to a softbox that you can put on a studio strobe. I think you should get an umbrella bracket/umbrella/lightstand. It'll run you around $100 for all that from B&H.

Thats what I did. I ended up going with the following for about 140 shipped from B&H for use with my 580EX II and a couple pocket wizard plus II units:


Bogen/Manfrotto 3336 11' Black Light Stand
Bogen/Manfrotto 2905 Swivel Umbrella Adapter
Stroboframe Flash Mount Adapter
Westcott 45" Soft Silver Black-Backed Umbrella