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View Full Version : So I bought a softbox today and messed around a little bit....

j2photography
3rd of January 2009 (Sat), 20:58
So I went to Calumet with the intention of only buying some solution to clean my sensor... And I saw some softboxes, and I thought it'd be fun to buy them and play around.

I ended up buying a Calumet Nova 22 softbox (I think it's like 19x22 or something), which is pretty small. Since a speedring was needed, I opted to buy the Chimera Speedring for Canon strobes because I don't have a studio light I can drag around everywhere :) I also bought a reflector and a cover for the reflector, but that is irrelevant.

So my plan was this: Since I have a Stroboframe, I will mount everything to it and have a portable softbox. It was a bxxxtch to assemble because the rods were really sturdy, but after about 7 minutes of trying to get the last rod in I finally made it.

The Stroboframe Model is the Stroboframe PRO-RL. The handle is a little shaky with all the upper weight, but I doubt it will break.

All in all, I am pleased with what I bought (Chimera Speed ring for Canon strobes, Calumet Nova 22 softbox). It was just really hard to assemble. Although, once it was assembled, everything was self explanatory. One thing I did not like, however, was that the flash was offset from the bracket (note the picture of the flash).

Anyway, here are some shots taken with it.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r181/gsrxcivic/mini-r-2.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1107/3164581865_47e6978d71.jpg

and here's how it looks

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r181/gsrxcivic/mini-IMG_5369.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r181/gsrxcivic/mini-IMG_5370.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r181/gsrxcivic/mini-r-1.jpg
(yes, yes, i know... my mirror is quite dirty LOL)

Anyway, I'll probably be using this setup at weddings. Everyone's going to be looking at me weird. Haha.
TheToad
3rd of January 2009 (Sat), 21:08
I like it. Could you please give details of the exact setup. Which model Stoboframe, etc.
Thanks.
j2photography
3rd of January 2009 (Sat), 21:10
Oh right. DUH. lol.

I'll re-edit it at the top. Tomorrow, I'll be shooting some outdoor stuff and hopefully people so I can get a feel for this set up.

edit: edited. What other information did you want to know?
Lotto
3rd of January 2009 (Sat), 21:11
Hey, the light coming of it is very nice. But I don't if can hold it up hours at a time in weddings.
j2photography
3rd of January 2009 (Sat), 21:19
Hey, the light coming of it is very nice. But I don't if can hold it up hours at a time in weddings.

Yeah. I was thinking the same thing. Lol.

But hey, at least I'll have bigger arms by the end of the season :D
BigBlueDodge
4th of January 2009 (Sun), 00:20
wow, that is a big softbox for that little bitty camera :)
roman_t
4th of January 2009 (Sun), 01:22
interesting. i dont think its too heavy. gripped 1d and 70-200L with that box - maybe overload. gave me thought about little umbrella.
Wilt
4th of January 2009 (Sun), 09:08
Yeah. I was thinking the same thing. Lol.

But hey, at least I'll have bigger arms by the end of the season :D

Having shot many weddings with medium format SLR and a 16x22 softbox on my Metz flash, the issue is not tired arms from the softbox, but the heft of the Stroboframe! I recall shooting precisely ONE wedding with Stroboframe (and without a softbox) and putting it up for sale immediately, and buying a Newton bracket.

Have never gotten wise cracks from anyone at weddings, they might simply comment about the serious nature of my gear and get out of my way immediately so I could do my job!
j2photography
4th of January 2009 (Sun), 10:41
Having shot many weddings with medium format SLR and a 16x22 softbox on my Metz flash, the issue is not tired arms from the softbox, but the heft of the Stroboframe! I recall shooting precisely ONE wedding with Stroboframe (and without a softbox) and putting it up for sale immediately, and buying a Newton bracket.

Have never gotten wise cracks from anyone at weddings, they might simply comment about the serious nature of my gear and get out of my way immediately so I could do my job!

By "heft of the stroboframe," what do you mean?
Which Newton bracket did you buy?
Wilt
4th of January 2009 (Sun), 11:25
By "heft of the stroboframe," what do you mean?
Which Newton bracket did you buy?

'heft' = weight.

Newton flash rotator weighs 8 oz.
Stroboframe Pro RL weights 33 oz.
FociBC
5th of January 2009 (Mon), 23:58
that is to cumbersome of a setup for a wedding I'd figure. Besides don't you want to not attract attention to yourself especially at a wedding? You shouldn't be the focal point IMO
Titus213
6th of January 2009 (Tue), 01:04
that is to cumbersome of a setup for a wedding I'd figure. Besides don't you want to not attract attention to yourself especially at a wedding? You shouldn't be the focal point IMO

No, attention is not the issue - the best image is. Looks like great light coming out of it.
Wilt
6th of January 2009 (Tue), 11:00
that is to cumbersome of a setup for a wedding I'd figure. Besides don't you want to not attract attention to yourself especially at a wedding? You shouldn't be the focal point IMO


If you look like 'the hired pro', people readily make room for you and or readily comply with your requests, to assure the B&G of the desired shots since they know you are being paid by the B&G or the bride's mother!
j2photography
6th of January 2009 (Tue), 12:03
If you look like 'the hired pro', people readily make room for you and or readily comply with your requests, to assure the B&G of the desired shots since they know you are being paid by the B&G or the bride's mother!

Agreed.

No, attention is not the issue - the best image is. Looks like great light coming out of it.

Yeah. The light is beautiful!

I am definitely going to try this at my first wedding and see how it holds up, how I feel about lugging around ~10 lbs, and of course, the final result with the light!

Definitely look forward to it in a few months :)