Octobox vs Softbox

Can someone tell me the difference please

one is an oval and generally much larger, one is a square or rectangle. general premise is pretty much the same but octabanks (also known as octabox's) can be MUCH larger... around 7 feet across or so, octabanks will give a really really nice, soft, even light

ah cool thanks, i have a large softbox but i was thinking of getting an octobox too

paradiddleluke wrote in post #12052140
one is an oval and generally much larger, one is a square or rectangle. general premise is pretty much the same but octabanks (also known as octabox's) can be MUCH larger... around 7 feet across or so, octabanks will give a really really nice, soft, even light

I have a 54" x 72" softbox that produces amazingly even light. If the softbox is well designed and the strobe is placed correctly then there's no reason why an octa would be any more even than a rectangle.

A lot of what makes them different is the coverage, control, falloff, and shape of catch light.

paradiddleluke wrote in post #12052140
octabanks (also known as octabox's) can be MUCH larger

Rectangular softboxes can also be large, as example Chimera or Profoto square softboxes.

In the end it is pretty much down to what you prefer, some people like octabox catchlights in the eyes much more than the squares of a rectangular softbox. Some people like Yuri Arcrus says that square softboxes are better. So opinions are different for everyone.

p.s. also remember that 1m square has more surface area than 1m octagonal surface.

kokakaste2 wrote in post #12052225
Rectangular softboxes can also be large, as example Chimera or Profoto square softboxes.

Yup, as I said above. I didn't state the brand but I have a Chimera 54" x 72". Impressively large and impressively even light.

wow that studio is amazing, he has so much equipment!

TMR Design wrote in post #12052255
Yup, as I said above. I didn't state the brand but I have a Chimera 54" x 72". Impressively large and impressively even light.

Yup, I type slow :s

On a side note how much do you think that studio cost

DonJuanMair wrote in post #12056541
On a side note how much do you think that studio cost

Hundreds of thousands of dollars in gear.

TMR Design wrote in post #12056551
Hundreds of thousands of dollars in gear.

i heard some where it was around 300,000?

Given his business model, that's a reasonable investment. Probably a bit over the top for most of us.

I have found that octa, square, or rectangular is more personal taste than different light. Each modifier, regardless of its shape has a light character that can be used to influence the image.

Catch lights are another consideration, although low on my list personally.

kokakaste2 wrote in post #12052225
In the end it is pretty much down to what you prefer, some people like octabox catchlights in the eyes much more than the squares of a rectangular softbox. Some people like Yuri Arcrus says that square softboxes are better. So opinions are different for everyone.

^^

My underlying principle in setting lights is 'mimic what occurs in the subject's environment'. I have never seen a huge round or octagonal or hexagonal light source in the environment (the sun is a relatively small point of light), but I have seen small and large rectangular windows (with frames and small panels, or even huge bay windows). Works for me.

Wilt I like your point!

Arcurs straight up says on his website "300,000 Euro in gear". If you need it and it's generating revenue, it makes sense. Does make my massive collection of 2 Profoto Acute 2R's look awfully paltry, but you work with what you have, right? I'm certainly grateful for them