Umbrella Softbox hybrids?

However good umbrellas are, I wouldn't want them in small space. Gridded softbox, stripbox would be my preference. Regarding buying cheap stuff to test out, hard to do with crappy grids. We all spend thousands on camera, lenses but cheap out on stands, modifiers etc. Just my 2 cents. And wheeled stands over any C-stands for me.

bobbyz wrote in post #18327452
However good umbrellas are, I wouldn't want them in small space. Gridded softbox, stripbox would be my preference. Regarding buying cheap stuff to test out, hard to do with crappy grids. We all spend thousands on camera, lenses but cheap out on stands, modifiers etc. Just my 2 cents. And wheeled stands over any C-stands for me.

Well, I think in general, you are making a number of good points. We often are being cheap in stupid ways. Cheap and weak stands are one of the dumbest. And I, too, have come around to preferring sturdy stands with wheels 95% of the time (although today I was on an inclined rough terrain and the C stand (with an assistant holding it, too) was the better option.

But I'm going to disagree about moderately priced softboxes when used with two diffusers in place, with and without grids. There are a number of places where more expensive gear really does repay you for spending the money. There are also some places where less expensive gear will work well enough or even just as well as expensive gear.

These are the things you can spend more to get (although spending more does not assure you of getting them):
1. Better color. Some cheaper softboxes can add a color cast. Unless it is egregious, this can easily be dealt with in post. It can be a challenge if you are mixing various modifiers. In color critical applications, such as catalog work, I would be very careful about this. But for portraits...not so much. I have used Profoto, Elinchrom, etc and I have used a $90 strip box which came with a grid from Amazon. You would not be able to tell the difference in the images.
2. Better materials which are more likely to last, put up with abuse, etc.
3. Easier to set up
4. A more prestigious name on the label
5. Less likely to suffer color degradation over time, or to do so more slowly

I do find I get a quality of light from the Elinchrom deep Octa I am very happy with in a variety of configurations and I'm not sure a cheap softbox would do as well, but...if I use it with both diffusers in place, I can't tell the difference from using the Elinchrom or a Profoto octabox of similar relative size and I would guess someone using an Octabox from amazon could fool any of us.

The Elinchrom is handier to transport and easier to set up than the cheap alternatives. I think the shape and internal reflective materials have more impact on the results when a deflector is used alone or when using a single diffuser. In these ways, the light from the deep Octa is superior and a cheap box off amazon probably won't work as well.

But stack two diffusers and you get even, soft light. And as long as it's even, there just isn't going to be a huge difference in the results.

So I prefer to use what I have because it is easy to use, easy to transport, easy to set up and take down, gives me great versatility in the types of looks I can get, a number of which I think are fairly unique (although it's possible other modifiers can be used in a similar way), but when it's double diffused, I don't think it's beating cheaper boxes.

As to grids, the only differences to the light that I am aware of are caused by the spacing of the intersection points and the depth of the material (the dimensions of the individual channels). Durability of materials and how easy they are to put in and out are the other two potential issues.

I also strongly believe that the skill of the photographer in setting up the lights has a much bigger impact than which tool is being used.

So, my conclusion is, if you want a softbox with a grid and you are
1. Satisfied with the way it is set up and taken apart
2. Satisfied with the quality and durability of the materials
3. The grid has reasonable spacing an depth
4. You intend to use it with both diffusers in place

Then there is no reason not to start with a moderately priced softbox. And if you don't need other features from it, there is no reason not to continue using it.

In my kit, the strip box and grid are the $90 version from Amazon and my octa boxes are Elinchrom deep Octas. I might invest in a more expensive strip to get one which sets up faster, but not because the quality of light isn't good enough .

You can accomplish some control of the light coming from your umbrella by varying how deep the strobe is in the umbrella and which, if any, reflector is attached to the strobe. The less of the inner surface you are striking, the smaller your effective light source.

Recently, Westcott Apollo strip and octabox umbrella frame modifiers, along with grids have been on sale at Adorama.
Now that they have fiberglass frames they are well worth the money, especially the sale price.

The grids for the Westcott boxes are reasonably good.

Update: I decided to go with a 32in Neweer octagon. I plan on using it with my speedlight. Ill probably save and spend the money on some quality modifiers, Fotodiox or possibly Elinchrom modifiers.

Elinchrom make really nice mods, my favourites.

I have the Godox version of the box you ordered and it if a fine bit of kit, really suits a speedlight well [or two or three], just make sure you can remote control you light and get a small boom arm as the angle you can tilt the box is small.

Picked up the 125cm deep in silver with the sock today, very nice umbrella & my local shop had a very good price for me too which helps. Measures about 120cm in diameter. Looking forward to using it tomorrow. Thanks for advice and opinions offered.

Yeah I ordered it and the next day realized I would need a boom, lol. Grabbed a Neewer one of amazon. Works pretty well though I wouldnt puch more weight on it than I do now. At the moment I just throw my flash into slave mode in the studio and trigger it with my strobes. I need to pick up a receiver for it so i can go mobile.

bobbyz wrote in post #18327452
However good umbrellas are, I wouldn't want them in small space. Gridded softbox, stripbox would be my preference. Regarding buying cheap stuff to test out, hard to do with crappy grids. We all spend thousands on camera, lenses but cheap out on stands, modifiers etc. Just my 2 cents. And wheeled stands over any C-stands for me.

Well said Bobby.
I always here people moan and complain on the cost of a proper modifier or stand, they buy the crappy stuff that can't support their gear and moan and complain again..........
Then you look in their bag.......