Lumiquest Softbox III... anyone?

[dkspook]

Any of you guys using the Lumiquest Softbox III? I'm building a small, portable light kit for on-location environmental portraits. The plan was to go with 2 flashes, gels, a snoot and 2 super clamps, leaving the light stands at home. Then I would add one of these softboxes to supplement my shoot-trough brolly or two of them and leave the brolly at home?

I like the fold-flat-ability of it, to stuff it in the back pocket of my shoulder bag.

Any other alternatives out there in the "Speedlite Softbox That Folds Flat" department?

[Familiaphoto]

I have one of these but have not had a chance to put it through its paces yet. So far I really like it. David Hobby at Strobist is a fan as well, below are two links where he uses talks about the use of the Softbox III.

In use...

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/01/on-assignment-monteverde-institute.html

Adding a barn door...

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/02/idea-sb-iii-barn-door-mod.html

[dkspook]

I have one of these but have not had a chance to put it through its paces yet. So far I really like it. David Hobby at Strobist is a fan as well, below are two links where he uses talks about the use of the Softbox III.

In use...

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/01/on-assignment-monteverde-institute.html

Adding a barn door...

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/02/idea-sb-iii-barn-door-mod.html

Thanks!

I'm talking about putting together an easy-to-carry cheap kit for on-location portraits... Where do you think I heard about the Softbox in the first place? :lol: :lol:

(The strobist RSS feed is on my igoogle page, along with Joe McNally, David Tejada, No Cropping Zone (Dalantech) and John Keatley :))

[Canon-gal]

I bought an 18 inch softbox, but found it too small, and you had to almost be touching the subject with it to get proper softening of the light. Also it didn't work well with the IR -ETTL as it hides too much of the flash.
Now I use a shoot-through skrim that is portable, light and quick to set up and because of the size is even good for small groups.

Here are a few images of the set-up I made using a Manfrotto clamp.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3654/3311872557_846ccb9aa1.jpg?v=0


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3563/3311872321_b1c1679963.jpg?v=0


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/3311872113_9b180f2250.jpg?v=0

I also use a shoot through umbrella if I want to travel a little lighter, but the light is not as good as the skrim for softness because the skrim is much larger.

[Familiaphoto]

Thanks!

I'm talking about putting together an easy-to-carry cheap kit for on-location portraits... Where do you think I heard about the Softbox in the first place? :lol: :lol:

(The strobist RSS feed is on my igoogle page, along with Joe McNally, David Tejada, No Cropping Zone (Dalantech) and John Keatley :))

One step ahead of me as always.

[dkspook]

I bought an 18 inch softbox, but found it too small, and you had to almost be touching the subject with it to get proper softening of the light. Also it didn't work well with the IR -ETTL as it hides too much of the flash.
Now I use a shoot-through skrim that is portable, light and quick to set up and because of the size is even good for small groups.

Here are a few images of the set-up I made using a Manfrotto clamp.

I also use a shoot through umbrella if I want to travel a little lighter, but the light is not as good as the skrim for softness because the skrim is much larger.

I'm sure the light is nice, but it kinda defeats the run & gun idea of the small softbox. I know I'll have to be close but it beats the hell out of direct flash!

[GSansoucie]

Thanks!

I'm talking about putting together an easy-to-carry cheap kit for on-location portraits... Where do you think I heard about the Softbox in the first place? :lol: :lol:

(The strobist RSS feed is on my igoogle page, along with Joe McNally, David Tejada, No Cropping Zone (Dalantech) and John Keatley :))


Ditto here. . .

I'm also looking for something portable. In the Strobist review the folded down size of the Softbox is incorrectly reported as 6" x 9", it actually folds down to 8" x 9" which is too big for my Domke J-3 bag.

I'm using a very specialized DIY Reflector that actually fits on the inside my my J-3 top (it sets in and folds with the top of the bag). It has already delaminated on me. . .

[AlexMoPhotography]

I just got one recently. I haven't seen anyone review it except for strobist, so I'll give my input.

Here's what I've got to show for it:

http://photos.imageevent.com/alexmophotos/random/Kimberly_09.jpg


http://photos.imageevent.com/alexmophotos/random/Kimberly_70.jpg


http://photos.imageevent.com/alexmophotos/random/Kimberly_26.jpg


http://photos.imageevent.com/alexmophotos/random/Majesta_31.jpg


http://photos.imageevent.com/alexmophotos/random/AlesiaFamilyFotos_46.jpg

They were all shot with the lumiquest softbox III with a shoe cord slightly off camera left or right.

Overall I'd say it does a pretty good job. It's not perfect, but it's great to have for portability. Heck, I might even try it out at my wedding shoot tomorrow in a large low-lit banquet hall.

It folds as an 8x8 1/2" snugly in my Lowepro Slingshot 200. :cool:

Hope this helps...

[dkspook]

I just got one recently. I haven't seen anyone review it except for strobist, so I'll give my input.

Here's what I've got to show for it:


They were all shot with the lumiquest softbox III with a shoe cord slightly off camera left or right.

Overall I'd say it does a pretty good job. It's not perfect, but it's great to have for portability. Heck, I might even try it out at my wedding shoot tomorrow in a large low-lit banquet hall.

It folds as an 8x8 1/2" snugly in my Lowepro Slingshot 200. :cool:

Hope this helps...

Helps? Hell, you just sold it to me! Thanks mate!