good all purpose soft box

Not that bad but just a hassle if you have to do every so often. I shoot outdoor mainly so like umbrella styles much better or get quickring like I mentioned. Options of reasonable cost grids made me go with photoflex.

I have several Chimera boxes and haven't found them difficult to maintain. The chimera seems to have a sailcloth material which seems tougher to break. So that is of note. Another option is the Elinchrom system which is also well received. And yes you can change mounts to match the flash or lighting system you have. All you have to get the fitting speeding.

bobbyz wrote in post #18300934
Not that bad but just a hassle if you have to do every so often. I shoot outdoor mainly so like umbrella styles much better or get quickring like I mentioned. ...

I agree that regular speed rings are diabolical to set and break down—prepare to lose an eye. I only use the Chimera quick-release speed ring which works with any 4-pole SB and is offered for every mount in creation. You have to pay the premium, but the thing is built for the ages and makes setup almost as fast as an umbrella. When broken down, the assembly can lie flat with all rods and diffusers in place, or can stand upright. The Buff version: https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …k_Release_Speed​_Ring.html

so this speed ring works with einstein as well? it just says white lightning,
so, all I would need is this speed ring, my einstein, my cyber comander and transceiver, and my chimera 36"x48" softbox and I'll have a perfectly working system, right?
of course this doesnt include the outside diffuser

someone recoommended the quick release speed ring below. but it says its for white lightning light and I have the einstein. one of the reveiews says

is this something to worry about?
https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …k_Release_Speed​_Ring.html

Prime Visual Productions wrote in post #18302212
so, all I would need is this speed ring, my einstein, my cyber comander and transceiver, and my chimera 36"x48" softbox and I'll have a perfectly working system, right?
of course this doesnt include the outside diffuser

Above package will serve nicely, and Chimera SB ships with both diffusers (inner, outside). As for Einstein, some reviewers on B&H say it's fine, so pick who to believe.

thanks. I think im about to purchase. just one more question. silver or white interior? If Im not mistaken, the silver produces a harsher light, but can also be diffused with the diffusion which in turn would produce a light more like the white interior softbox, right? so in essence, the silver is the best of both worlds, while the white interior is a one trick pony?

PS. would you really pick the chimera over the profoto rfi?


heres what I have so far

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …030_super_pro_x​_plus.html
https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …k_Release_Speed​_Ring.html
http://paulcbuff.com/c​c.php
http://paulcbuff.com/c​sxcv.php

only thing missing is the light stand? I already own the Einstein flash

Whats a goog light stand that I can setup my einstein on with the chimera 3'x4' softbox? I need something that can be shortened/broken down to fit in a full size suitcase so that I can travel with it.

Prime Visual Productions wrote in post #18302408
Whats a goog light stand that I can setup my einstein on with the chimera 3'x4' softbox? I need something that can be shortened/broken down to fit in a full size suitcase so that I can travel with it.

Best way to travel with light stands is to place them in a separate bag and check them.
Any light stand that can be short enough to fit into a suitcase will be too lightweight to be safe with an Einstein and 3x4 softbox mounted.

Hmmm.... No mention of Gridded strip boxes.
It's more general purpose than one would think. You can rotate it on axis to get a wide variety of looks. I'd go with Two Gridded strips, Gridded beauty dish and 3'x4' Gridded softbox. Start with one or two and grow the collection over time.

Ive a habit of buying one new thing per year regardless of need (wants not needs). A paid shoot will get you going.

Prime Visual Productions wrote in post #18300894
I wont be getting any octoboxes. is it really that hard to put the rods in the 3x4 chimera box? I seen someone setup the profoto box and it didn't seem to be too hard. if it's the same, I'm sure it won't be much of an issue.

I've never had any issues with Octoboxes. I mean, come on already. It's simple. They flex and behave themselves. My wife can assemble them. Anyway it's the image that counts. Not ease of assembly anyway. Even though it's easy anyway.

^^ I don't know but putting rods in my photoflex octa is pain in the azz, specifically the last one. Check the old threads and other will agree with me. That is why Dave, Robert started that quickring route. No wonder we have these foldable modifiers now even though they take more space IMHO. If you leave modifier in the studio, no issue.

Photoflex.... I had a few of their Softboxes. They yellow very fast. So I feel they are very poor performers. Never had any issues assembling or take down. It's really a simple thing to do. There are some tricks in that I flex the rods only from the adapter ring. Insert opposite sides first and work my way around. Removing them is simple. I just press down on the adapter ring and pull them out. Octa box, same thing. A few more rods, that's all.

I can't imagine a different way to do this - I guess without the problems a few are reporting. 4 rods or 16, same process. No pain or aggravation. The trick is flexing the rods with the adapter ring, attaching opposite ends first. Zero problems.

Actually my photoflex is 10+ yr old, no yellowing. They aren't Chimera but then you not paying Chimera prices either. Build quality is nice, you can get nice grids for them. I am happy. They seem much better than some of the Elinchrom modifiers I have at my work studio and everyone raves about Elinchrom.

Then mine was part of a bad batch. Yellowing was on the Inner Liner of the softboxes. The difusers were all pristine white. Either way I won't use them now.

Funny, all I have are Elinchrom strobes, none of their softboxes but nearly all of their metal dishes.

Ive grown to like the CheetahStand Rice Bowls and luckily I have a bunch of Creative Light softboxes - well, before they disappeared into Profoto I think.