softbox or shoot through umbrella?

[thaking]

which would you choose, a shoot through umbrella or this softbox (http://cgi.ebay.com/Flash-Speedlight-Softbox-Diffuser-Speedring-Bracket-Bag_W0QQitemZ280400844874QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item414931584a) for speedlights?

[Todd Lambert]

I have a similar Lasolite that works well. It's good for headshot portraits and small things. If I need larger, I generally go with a shoot through.

[TMR Design]

which would you choose, a shoot through umbrella or this softbox (http://cgi.ebay.com/Flash-Speedlight-Softbox-Diffuser-Speedring-Bracket-Bag_W0QQitemZ280400844874QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item414931584a) for speedlights?

THat would depend on the job I needed to do. I use both and select the appropriate one as needed. If I had to choose one modifier to use with a hot shoe flash it would be a convertible umbrella that could be used as a reflective bounce or shoot through. Many people underestimate the usefulness of umbrellas. They don't offer the control of softboxes and don't accept grids but can do just about anything and require no hardware other than an umbrella adapter. They're fast to set up and breakdown and very versatile. Keep in mind that I prefaced that by saying that if I had to choose one modifier it would be the umbrella. Ideally, having umbrellas and softboxes give you even greater flexibility.

[aroundlsu]

Beauty dish.

I have been shooting with shoot through umbrellas for the last few months and have gotten great results. They are fast to setup and easy to transport. However, they behave badly in even the slightest wind, break easily, and without fail I always have to explain to some passerby why photographers use umbrellas (in case it rains, duh). Plus, they spill light everywhere.

My new beauty dish has seemed to solve all those problems, except not the easiest to transport.

I have softboxes for my Arri hotlights (for video) but I hate using them. They eat up light, are bulky, and slow to setup/breakdown.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2729/4141839929_7eb9068fa9.jpg

[TMR Design]

I have a similar Lasolite that works well. It's good for headshot portraits and small things. If I need larger, I generally go with a shoot through.

Don't kid yourself Todd. You can do much more with a 24" Softbox. I've done half body, 3/4 shots and if feathered correctly, even full length work with a 24" softbox.

[thaking]

i was leaning towards a convertible shoot through, but this was a cheap softbox...i generally do couple or small family shots...sometimes, headshots but this is not the majority...i think i'll go with the shoot through...thanks!

[Todd Lambert]

Don't kid yourself Todd. You can do much more with a 24" Softbox. I've done half body, 3/4 shots and if feathered correctly, even full length work with a 24" softbox.

Yes, I am sure you're right. I don't do much portrait stuff, honestly. I just use it mostly for soft lighting of small products and what not, which it works really well for.

I usually leave it setup, and only break it down when I need to transport. It takes a few times to figure out how to set it up, but I imagine that is the case with any softbox, really.

[Seanzky]

which would you choose, a shoot through umbrella or this softbox (http://cgi.ebay.com/Flash-Speedlight-Softbox-Diffuser-Speedring-Bracket-Bag_W0QQitemZ280400844874QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item414931584a) for speedlights?

I have that exact same softbox for my speedlights but I also own a shoot through umbrella for each. I can't have one without the other. :/

[kylefornia]

Personally I use both depending on the situation. If you get a fold up softbox setting it up is really not an issue. I have a 50x50" Westcott Apollo softbox that folds open with an umbrella mechanism inside and I love it. I used a macro flash bracket and put a third colshoe in the center where it would screw into your camera and I mount 3 speedlights inside it pointing towards the back all with Stofen diffusers to get the bulb effect. It really works great as a large light source. And with 3 flashes I can lower the power and they recycle much faster.

[thaking]

I have that exact same softbox for my speedlights but I also own a shoot through umbrella for each. I can't have one without the other. :/
well, i have a couple reflective umbrellas...i would like to get a bigger softbox, but at this time just can't put up the money (i've bought other stuff with bing CB)...i usually use 2 or 3 speedlights...considering what i stated above about what i shoot, would this softbox and reflective umbrellas work?