Softbox for speedlight

[Larry Weinman]

A while back I saw some softboxes and stands that can be used with speedlights like the Canon 580 EX. I can't remember where I saw these. Any help locating would be appreciated.

[jeromego]

this is what i use for my 580exII, http://www.adorama.com/PFLDSK.html

[SuzyView]

I bought the Ezybox and don't regret it. It sets up in a minute and takes down in 2. So, when I need to pull out a softbox, I ignore the others I have and go to that one.

[Faolan]

I second the Ezybox hotshoe, produces some great light for headshots.

[bobbyz]

I also like the photoflex small SB. I have the extra-small version but if buying again would go for the small in place of the extra-small. You can even use it with strobes with proper speed ring. It comes with speed ring for hot shoe flash.

[Blackey Cole]

I have two 16"x16" eBay Softboxes that I used with my Vivitar 285's with the supplied universal speed rings and a ball bungee to keep the head at the wide angle position. I was inpressed with the quality of the build and the light when I got it. Both cost me around $50 shipped at the time. I just ordered and mounted 2 of the Photoflex cold shoe brackets for the XS softbox and haven't actually used them with my 580exII or 550ex flash yet but based on some research the Canon flashes should work well adn give me more light from the box since they have a GN@100 of 190 vd that of the 285's 140@100 if I remember correctly. If money was not a factor I would probably go with the ezbox just for the setup/tear down time savings and how easy it is to transport. I also, may get the Photflex 16"x22" softbox for the rectangle profile.

[Moonjo]

You can also look at this one, http://alzodigital.com/online_store/alzo_porta_flash_soft_box.htm. It's only 15" x 15" but I get pretty good results with it.

[m3rdpwr]

I use this one.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/90032-REG/Morris_32600_Soft_Box_15x18_.html#reviews

Heavier than the Lastolite, but much less too.

Here are some pic's as well.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=444190&highlight=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bhphotovideo.com%2Fc%2F product%2F90032-REG%2FMorris_32600_Soft_Box_15x18_.html&page=4

I also recommend this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546375-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_026_026_Swivel_Umbrella_Adapter.ht ml

I use the plastic foot that came with the 580EX and it's fine, otherwise you can buy a shoe as well.

As for stands, I use the Impact 8' ones with these.

-Mario

[donp2112]

Here's a DIY version. About $10 in materials. It's only 15" x 11.5" so it needs to be fairly close to the subject.

Materials:
Flexible semi-opaque kitchen cutting mat. Unused of course.
Cool Foam from Michael's or similar arts/crafts store. $.99 a sheet. I use this stuff for snoots, grids, cheapo lens protectors (usually just use the snoots) and other speedlight diffusers, gobos and bouncers. It's great.
Velcro to attach the tops/bottoms and side. Could have just as easily glued it.
Electrical tape. Of course.
Empty box from my ST-E2 for the high tech "friction fit speed ring".Pros: Cheap, light, and it works just fine. Did I say it was cheap?
Cons: Form factor isn't very good since it doesn't fold. Currently friction fit attachment, will add some fancy scrunchies to it at some point to better secure.

BTW, I mixed white and black Cool Foam since that was what I had on hand.

[donp2112]

2 more pix of the DIY...

[Larry Weinman]

Thanks to all of you for some very helpful information.

[Mike McCusker]

I bought the Ezybox and don't regret it. It sets up in a minute and takes down in 2. So, when I need to pull out a softbox, I ignore the others I have and go to that one.

Which one are you using, SuzyView?

[SuzyView]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/552445-REG/Lastolite_LL_LS2471L_Hot_Shoe_EZYBOX_Softbox.html

Yeah, I went for the expensive full set up. It is absolutely small and easy to figure out. I have other softboxes that I ordered before and they were fine, but this one is more portable, which is what I needed it for.

Thanks for asking, Mark. :) I just did a review for B&H on this softbox. I gave it a 4 star out of 5, price being the worse part.

[JDubya]

Here's what I made and use:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=552688

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/SpeakerPhreaker/OUTSIDE.jpg

[rodal126]

I think that you're referring to this thread

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=562987&highlight=softbox+580

I personally use the Westcott 28" and 50" softboxes.

A while back I saw some softboxes and stands that can be used with speedlights like the Canon 580 EX. I can't remember where I saw these. Any help locating would be appreciated.

[Hknivers]

I really liked the DIY one...think I'll try it. :D

[Pen6uiN]

http://www.davidjameswilliams.com/photography-chat/diy-strobe-mount-for-softbox/

this is a nice & simple DIY solution if its not mentioned yet

[protech]

Anyone ever tested out the Softbox for Speedlight (Generic brand selling it on ebay)?

[J Kacey]

If you want something a little sturdier mine works very well
and works with most all existing softboxes you might already own
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/525277734_mAT2R-L.jpg

[Hknivers]

What's that in the picture? Can't find it in you website...

[tim]

That looks the same as the one that comes with the Morris softbox.

[pnmd]

That looks the same as the one that comes with the Morris softbox.

Not even close. The Kacey mount is much more robust and attaches at multiple points on the speedring. Morris attaches with 1 bolt at the bottom of the speedring so softbox tilts forward.

Kacey bracket allows the flash to extend more fully into the softbox. The Morris does not. I have an Alzo mount which is similar to the Morris and this is the biggest problem.
You get what you pay for.

Morris:
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii216/m3rdpwr/morris/IMG_1142.jpg

[m3rdpwr]

That looks the same as the one that comes with the Morris softbox.


I own two of the Morris and this does not look like it.

I will say the Morris is a good heavy duty piece as I'm sure the Kacey is as well...

-Mario

[shimmishim]

I have the Westcott 28" apollo softbox and love it. It's an umbrella type softbox and you don't need a speed ring or any special adapters. It works with a regular umbrella adapter.

[J Kacey]

What's that in the picture? Can't find it in you website...

Sorry it will be available very soon. Right now all orders are for the dish, bracket and this new softbox ring are pre-orders.
Orders are filled in the order they are received. If your interested you can use the contact page of my website.

[pnmd]

I own two of the Morris and this does not look like it.

I will say the Morris is a good heavy duty piece as I'm sure the Kacey is as well...

-Mario

Hmm...
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=444190&page=4

[m3rdpwr]

Hmm...
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=444190&page=4


Hmmm what? :)

Yes, I posted that... :)

-Mario

[bobbyz]

I looked at similar setup (lasolite ezybox) to these pictures and flash head wasn't inside the softbox like I would imagine it to be. Using my photoflex SB and connector, I can stick my 550ex all the way so when I use wide zoom setting you have light bouncing around the inside of the SB before coming out from front.

In these pictures, flash is too outside so you need to use it on longer zoom setting.

[pnmd]

Lastolite Ezybox bracket:
http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt130/pnmd/lastolitemount-2.jpg


The Lastolite, Alzo, Morris brackets all have a similar design. IMO, the major flaw in the design are two areas pointed out in the pic. These prevent the flash from moving fully forward and the flash head remains outside of the softbox. Still works but design flaw IMO.

Once again there's only 1 bolt which attaches to the speedring and with small softboxes may not be a problem. But with larger or heavier softboxes, the softbox will tilt forward and be further from the flash head.

The Westcott avoids all this but the flash is is inside the softbox which may be cumbersome when it's necessary to access the flash for adjustments.

I've been experimenting with speedlight softbox mounts for over year and from what I can see the Kacey bracket eliminates all these design flaws.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt130/pnmd/lastolitemount.jpg%5B/IMG%5D

[MR do little]

I use a chimera speedring and softboxes from photoflex and chimera.

/MR do little

[bobbyz]

Once again there's only 1 bolt which attaches to the speedring and with small softboxes may not be a problem. But with larger or heavier softboxes, the softbox will tilt forward and be further from the flash head.

I don't think just having 1 bolt can be a problem. Lot depends on how strong that bolt is and how it is connected to rest of the bracket.

For example, some of the speedrings have a way to mate to brass stud like

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/largeimages/438701.jpg

This single connector works quite nice when the modifier is heavy. It will very nice if someone comes with a bracket to connect using somehing like this.


But I do agree about flash not been able to go inside the SB problem that you mention. I was surprised when I saw ezybox fo rthe first time at Will Crockett seminar here in Palo Alto this weekend.

[e3opian]

+1 for the Lastolite EzyBox

My 24x24 just showed up. I got the bare box since I already have some stands. It has a rebate right now, too.

[tim]

I own two of the Morris and this does not look like it.

I will say the Morris is a good heavy duty piece as I'm sure the Kacey is as well...

-Mario

Oops you're right, it looks like another I have. The Morris is quite robust though.

[jeromego]

If you want something a little sturdier mine works very well
and works with most all existing softboxes you might already own
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/525277734_mAT2R-L.jpg
where can i buy this? cant find it in your website

[J Kacey]

where can i buy this? cant find it in your website

Please contact me through my website