Help! Softbox or octobox owners

[canon_user808]

I'm about to purchase my Alien Bees studio lights but I'm having a tough time with one last decision. I am going to purchase either the Alien Bees giant soft box or large otobox. But, which would yield better results? Also, how much harder is an octobox to setup?
http://www.alienbees.com/images/softboxes.gif
http://www.alienbees.com/images/octaboxes.gif

[cmM]

I have their largest softbox.

The octobox is supposably better, but I'm satisfied with the results I get with my softbox.

[Longwatcher]

How do you want that gleam in the eye to look?

Sometimes the rectangle can look better ( what I have), but usually it is my understanding the octagon will provide more sparkle to the eye.

I have the giant softbox, but have been thinking of getting the octagon softbox later.

[ilya]

I called Alien Bees on that very same question + what the brolly can do.

Softbox v Octabox - main difference is the shape of the catchlights. The other difference is that the Octabox meters a bit more evenly.

Brolly - inferior to the boxes, as there is more light spill, it shoots through only one diffusion panel whereas the boxes use two. So the light is not as soft - she said its similar to shoot through umbrella, and thus you won't want to move it as close to the subject as you would a softbox.

You ought to talk to the staff at Alien Bees. Supremely helpful.

[chris.bailey]

I have a couple of square and rectangular softboxes and they are brilliant for more side on lighting and for fuller length shots. For face and shoulders, to my mind Octa's or round Supersofts give a more pleasing catchlight in the eyes. That said I have done a couple of shots with masking tape on a rectangular box to mimic a panelled window and placed it very close to the model to get a window effect to the catchlight.

If you are only buying one I would go rectangular, if two then one of each.

[scottbergerphoto]

For an alternative view on softboxes, umbrellas and diffusion panels, check out www.lightingmagic.com and read bout Scott Smith's views. I found it made alot of sense.
Scott