soft box for canon 580ex

[f1nut]

Hi Guys and Girls

Does anybody use these type soft boxes http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/24-60cm-EZ-Fold-Hot-Shoe-Softbox-Kit-for-Speedlights_W0QQitemZ160375784628QQcmdZViewItemQQp tZUK_Photography_StudioEquipment_RL?hash=item25572 444b4

I really am thinking of getting one for my canon 580ex flash. I have seen the odd photo where these have been used but somebody told me they are not very good ??. Does anyone have any photos where they have used these ? if so could you post a few.

[krb]

I have one and like it for macro photography and small product photography because it's small enough to hand hold over the subject using a long ettl cord.

For general portrait use it really isn't large enough. When you get it close enough to have a diffuse light source you are so close that the light fall-off is very noticeable. If that's the look you want then it's fine but you'll get better results using either an umbrella or just bouncing the light off another surface.

[gonzogolf]

I've got a 28 inch softbox and It does a nice job. I'm not sure exactly how big you can go with a speedlite in a box anyway. Keep in mind the softness of any light source is dependent on its size and and relative distance to the subject. This will work okay for head and shoulders portraits.

[f1nut]

Thanks guys this is just the sort of info I was after.