Westcott Apollo MONO Softbox vs. Westcott Apollo Softbox

[*Knowledge*]

Both are for flashes, both are 28", I understand the setup may be different but what are the advantages of one versus the other.
I believe that both you need to open up the softbox if you wanted to make changes to the flash, so please, someone enlighten me.

Westcott Apollo MONO Softbox - $144.30 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=62240&is=REG)

Westcott Apollo Softbox - $119.95 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=564656&is=REG)

[TMR Design]

The Westcott Mono is designed to keep the controls on the back of the strobe outside of the softbox for easy adjustment. The standard Apollo has the flash and its controls inside the box.

[*Knowledge*]

Which is the reason for the reflector plate. Thank you for the imput.
Anybody have these two choices and decide on one over the other? If so, care to share your reason(s)?

[bobbyz]

In case of mono, the light will come directly from the monolight and hit the metallic reflector and bounce around and then come from the front. So more soft but you will loose light. Spec on B&H site says 1 stop loss with the reflector.

Are you using these with flash or strobes? And why these particular models?

[RDKirk]

Which is the reason for the reflector plate. Thank you for the imput.
Anybody have these two choices and decide on one over the other? If so, care to share your reason(s)?

The Apollo (non-mono) is designed to have the smallish head of a power pack flash (which has its controls on the wire-connected flash pack) turned to the rear of the softbox; thus, it is fully diffused by having been bounced before reaching the front diffuser.

The Apollo Mono, in order to expose the controls at the rear of a monolight, cannot at the same time point the flash to the rear of the softbox; it uses the internal 45-degree reflector as its bounce panel.

In terms of photo result, they are equal. In terms of convenience, it's a toss-up.

The Apollo Mono gives you more convenient access to the rear controls, but the additional bulk and fuss of the reflector plate significantly detracts from the superb folded compactness and high set-up speed of the Apollo softbox concept.

The plain Apollo is super compact when folded and super fast to erect, but for monolites it makes control adjustment less convenient.

I have gone with the plain Apollo design, and in fact, I've got at least one in each size. Because the Velcro-attached front diffuser is actually pretty quick to rip open and then pat back into place (and the monolight controls face the diffuser), I don't find the inconvenience too oppressive. I also usually use a radio power control anyway.

[Bearmann]

I asked Wescott these same questions. I guess it was too much trouble to answer all of my questions. You would think that as often as this question comes up, they would do more to educate their potential buyer. So this is what I asked and their answer:

What is the difference between the Westcott 26" Apollo for speedlights and
the Westcott 26" Apollo for mono lights? Can either be used with Canon
speedlights? Does the mono version have an inner diffusion panel? Is it
correct that with the mono version you would typically point the flash
toward the front of the softbox, whereas with the speedlight version you
typically use the flash in bounce mode to bounce off the rear of the
softbox?

The difference is the mono version comes with an extra rod to attach you moonlight to so that you have access to its controls. It is not used with speedlights. None of the Apollo’s have an inner diffusion panel.

You are correct in that you should aim your speedlight towards the rear of the Apollo.

If you have any more questions please feel free to give me a call or an e-mail.

John D. Williamson

Technical Representative

419.243.7311

800.886.1689

[*Knowledge*]

Thank for all the input and clarification.

In case of mono, the light will come directly from the monolight and hit the metallic reflector and bounce around and then come from the front. So more soft but you will loose light. Spec on B&H site says 1 stop loss with the reflector.

Are you using these with flash or strobes? And why these particular models?

I'm actually leaning towards the Lastolite 24x24 with speedlights but was curious about the pros/cons with the two mentioned. Do you recommend a particular box?

[tim]

Consider the Morris (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/90032-REG/Morris_32600_Soft_Box_15x18_.html/BI/2312/KBID/3114), it works well, controls are outside the box, and it's sturdy. I use it for weddings. Highly recommended.

[bobbyz]

I like photoflex softboxs.

[TMR Design]

I like photoflex softboxs.

I'm also a fan of Photoflex boxes. Well made, quality materials, grids are reasonable prices, easy setup and breakdown.

[bobbyz]

I'm also a fan of Photoflex boxes. Well made, quality materials, grids are reasonable prices, easy setup and breakdown.

On top of that they work with hot shoe flash as well as strobes. You can get their cheap plastic speedring for < $20 and attach it directly to the lightstand or buy their hot shoe dapter for $30 or so or make your own DIY.

[TMR Design]

On top of that they work with hot shoe flash as well as strobes. You can get their cheap plastic speedring for < $20 and attach it directly to the lightstand or buy their hot shoe dapter for $30 or so or make your own DIY.

The plastic speed ring does work well but only to a point. If you've ever tried to use it with the 36" x 48" you'll find that it stresses the plastic (and the Photoflex bracket, if in use) a bit too much and no longer feels stable.

The speed ring does work very well with the 16" x 22" and the 24" x 32" softbox. Since the Photoflex speedring does have the 1/4"-20 and 3/8" threaded mounting holes you can DIY brackets and potentially use it with something like the Kacey or similar flash brackets. I haven't tried this myself but I have every reason to believe it would work.