Portable Softboxes > Westcott vs LumiQuest

[ch0re0s]

I move around A LOT, so I really dont like using stands unless i'm in a studio. I like the look that softboxes give, and I've always been curious about the portable softboxes.
I finally thought about buying a portable softbox such as the Westcott Soft Box, but I also saw the LumiQuest Softbox, and didnt know which one was really better.

I would really appreciate your feedback.


Links to the product below:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/62832-REG/Westcott_2200_Micro_Apollo_Softbox_.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/576949-REG/LumiQuest_LQ_119_Promax_Softbox_III.html

[v35skyline]

i wouldn't go for either. neither really increase the size of the light source.

imo, you gotta pay to play. an ezybox only takes a couple minutes to set up. the results are worth every second.

[ch0re0s]

Well i was thinking more of an ON-FLASH type of unit. I was looking into the "Flip-it" as well.

It's not so much setting up, that im concerned with, it's moving the around part. But thanks for the input. I do like the ezboxes.

or even this kind of flash diffuser.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/408070-REG/SBM_0104__0104_Supreme_Flash_Diffuser.html

[v35skyline]

what exactly are your goals and what kind of shooting conditions (indoor/outdoor, etc) do you typically shoot in?

are you just looking to soften your fill flash?

[ch0re0s]

what exactly are your goals and what kind of shooting conditions (indoor/outdoor, etc) do you typically shoot in?

are you just looking to soften your fill flash?


I work for a silk flower co. so sometimes i'm required to take pictures of the silk florals right in the showroom. the arrangments are really large so it's hard to carry it into the studio where i normally would shoot.

i wanted to set up a movable white backdrop to bring with me and just use the portable softbox rather than the ones on the stand.

another way i'd use it would be outside. exactly as you said, to soften my fill flash.

[Brett]

Honestly, I think your first order of business should be to get the flash off-camera. Use an ETTL cord if it's going to be hand-held. You'll get much better results than any on-camera modifier can provide.

You can add a small shoot-through umbrella on a swivel if you want to spread the light, or one of the small softboxes that are designed for hotshoe flash, but none are really going to give great results if the flash remains on-camera.

[ch0re0s]

Honestly, I think your first order of business should be to get the flash off-camera. Use an ETTL cord if it's going to be hand-held. You'll get much better results than any on-camera modifier can provide.

You can add a small shoot-through umbrella on a swivel if you want to spread the light, or one of the small softboxes that are designed for hotshoe flash, but none are really going to give great results if the flash remains on-camera.

yeah i have one and use that too. i've been using a wireless system (when its not acting funky) for the flash.

h'bout for outdoor shots that require much running around, and constant environmental changes? (ex: a graduation...)

[Green Li]

I move around A LOT, so I really dont like using stands unless i'm in a studio. I like the look that softboxes give, and I've always been curious about the portable softboxes.
I finally thought about buying a portable softbox such as the Westcott Soft Box, but I also saw the LumiQuest Softbox, and didnt know which one was really better.

I would really appreciate your feedback.


Links to the product below:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/62832-REG/Westcott_2200_Micro_Apollo_Softbox_.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/576949-REG/LumiQuest_LQ_119_Promax_Softbox_III.html

I don't have experience with the Westcott unit, but I hear many people like it.
I do own LumiQuest Softbox III. I believe you might be just happy with it for your type of shooting.
It's compact portable solution. Well designed and built. Bigger than Westcott.

Here is my review: LumiQuest Softbox III (http://photo-tips-online.com/review/lumiquest-softbox-iii-flash-diffuser/)

http://photo-tips-online.com/review/lumiquest-softbox-iii-flash-diffuser/images/small/lumiquest-softbox-iii-flash-diffuser-2.jpghttp://photo-tips-online.com/review/lumiquest-softbox-iii-flash-diffuser/images/small/lumiquest-softbox-iii-flash-diffuser-12.jpghttp://photo-tips-online.com/review/lumiquest-softbox-iii-flash-diffuser/images/small/lumiquest-softbox-iii-flash-diffuser-14.jpg

[rang]

I move around A LOT, so I really dont like using stands unless i'm in a studio. I like the look that softboxes give, and I've always been curious about the portable softboxes.
I finally thought about buying a portable softbox such as the Westcott Soft Box, but I also saw the LumiQuest Softbox, and didnt know which one was really better.

I would really appreciate your feedback.


Links to the product below:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/62832-REG/Westcott_2200_Micro_Apollo_Softbox_.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/576949-REG/LumiQuest_LQ_119_Promax_Softbox_III.html


hmmm...looks like AF beam gets blocked in both of these linked items.
Lumiquest has one that has a "v-notch" cut into the softbox that might work if you're sold on having the light source stuck on the body.

Best results would be a simple light stand with a small softbox mounted onto a 580EXII on the stand. I'm sure ...others on here might have tried this already ...triggering it with another 580EX I/II or an STE2 using the IR trigger mechanism.
Still light. Still smallish.

[ch0re0s]

wow thanks for the info! i'm going to test out the Westcott first and see how it goes. The only thing i dont like about it is it's fabric material that crinkles, but i guess for my case of moving around a lot it keeps the unit from being bent.

thanks again!

[cdifoto]

You're already talking about moving a backdrop around so a speedlite and umbrella on a bogen nano would be superior and still adequately portable.

[ch0re0s]

hmmm...looks like AF beam gets blocked in both of these linked items.
Lumiquest has one that has a "v-notch" cut into the softbox that might work if you're sold on having the light source stuck on the body.

Best results would be a simple light stand with a small softbox mounted onto a 580EXII on the stand. I'm sure ...others on here might have tried this already ...triggering it with another 580EX I/II or an STE2 using the IR trigger mechanism.
Still light. Still smallish.


I saw that. Wasnt sure on it though. i'll test it out and see how it equates with my current Westcott version.

But i agree with you and the other poster about the lightstand. I dont doubt the greater impact it would have. I have one myself.

Thanks!

[ch0re0s]

A speedlite and umbrella on a bogen nano would be portable and superior.


would it be practical for running around? i'll look into it. i like the sound of the bogen nano :]

[cdifoto]

No less practical than a backdrop.

[cdifoto]

The problem with putting a soft box on your flash while it's on the camera is that even though the light source has been slightly enlarged, it's still direct, flat lighting. You need to move the light off the lens axis to get some defining shadows in the subject.

[ch0re0s]

The problem with putting a soft box on your flash while it's on the camera is that even though the light source has been slightly enlarged, it's still direct, flat lighting. You need to move the light off the lens axis to get some defining shadows in the subject.


Yeah, i've encountered this before. and i know it's a compromise i would have to make once in while with the portable softbox.

[Wilt]

The problem with putting a soft box on your flash while it's on the camera is that even though the light source has been slightly enlarged, it's still direct, flat lighting. You need to move the light off the lens axis to get some defining shadows in the subject.

...which is why I double light, with on-camera unit as Fill (as it would be in a studio) and the remote light serving as Main.

[ch0re0s]

...which is why I double light, with on-camera unit as Fill (as it would be in a studio) and the remote light serving as Main.

I like that idea. i'll try that in the studio sometime. would you have any example images?

[Wilt]

I like that idea. i'll try that in the studio sometime. would you have any example images?

Sorry, nothing available off hand. I quit doing weddings for hire over 10 years ago in the days before digital, and when I do some shooting for friends/relatives to supplement what the hired gun provides, I never bring a second light -- don't want to be a threatening figure to the hired gun!:D When I go home I'll see if I can find an old sample to scan and post.