1200 Watt seconds : 1.5 Second Recycle : 28" x 55" Gridded Softbox

I'm sure I have your attention already.

OK, well I had some spare time this morning and wanted to see if I could solve 2 problems with one solution, and I did.

I'll start by saying that it's not the most elegant solution but the best part about it is that I didn't have to spend a dime and was able to make use of the gear and grip I currently own.

Problem #1: I find that every so often when I'm shooting on location I do need to really compete with the Sun and ambient and there's no getting around the fact that more power is a good way to do that. Right now the most powerful strobe I own is 600 Watt seconds.

Since 80 to 90 percent of my business is done in the studio I still can't and don't want to justify a Ranger RX for the few times it's needed. I could also pick up an Elinchrom 1200RX and have the power but that strobe will have some limitations in the studio because of that extra power and inability to drop down enough.

After some abstract thinking it occurred to me that I could use a 600RX in a 14" x 55" strip box with a duplicate setup right next to it, creating an effective 28" x 55" softbox with 1200 Watt seconds pumping into it.

Not only does it give me 1200 Watt seconds if I need it but it also means that recycle time at full power is still only 1.5 seconds as opposed to the 2.3 seconds from a 1200RX.

Problem #2: Not having a fabric grid for any of the larger softboxes I own proves to be a problem and while I am planning on buying some additional softboxes and grids, I don't want to spend the money on what would be temporary solutions while I figure out what I really need.

Once I put the 2 strip boxes together I realized that I had the grids. I installed the grids and tested things out and its a fantastic 28" x 55" gridded softbox.

I normally carry 2 or 3 strobes with me so I'm already ready for this setup if I need it and having the strips is easy and compact.

In the studio I don't need the power but even with both strobes at minimum power with both layers of diffusion and the grids it's not too much power. Not to mention a lot of control and beautiful light. I took some readings and it's very even.

Just thought I would share my experiment.

This is the front.

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

looks like a winner. What brand softboxes & grids?

yes, you got my attention, as always
some day I may need to employ this technique...

Cool setup. Just like placing two softboxes next to each other to create a bigger softbox.

KurtGoss wrote in post #12071122
looks like a winner. What brand softboxes & grids?

Hi Kurt.

I'm using a pair of Cheetah 14" x 55" strips and grids.

bobbyz wrote in post #12071412
Cool setup. Just like placing two softboxes next to each other to create a bigger softbox.

Exactly. I have a 36" x 48" softbox and a 54" x 72" but don't have a grid for either. This actually works really well with a 28" width. I plan to use this in the studio quite a bit.

Rob , very ingenious

my ears were burning and i had to laugh, i just ordered one of these yesterday and was thinking to use it on my large chimera 54x72" with a grid

i've been planning to do this for a while, you can even fit three heads into the chimeras

http://www.vistek.ca …-double-head-bracket.aspx

Hey Martin,

Yeah, those are another great solution for filling one box with power of the Sun. ... and being able to grid it.

your solution looks great , there probably is more adjust ability your way as well,

my solution is good for me as it will fit three sizes of boxes i already have

I LOVE it! Think I will put together the same setup with my two 600RX's! Thanks Rob! Another great suggestion!

I was just taking some readings and it's looking really good. With both layers of diffusion, at 4 feet, ISO 100, I'm reading f/32 + .3.

Not too shabby.

If ambient were to be f/16 at 1/125s then f/32 + .3 gets me 2.3 stops over and I can still go to 1/250s in a pinch for another stop.

That's what I'm talkin' about!

Nice solution but do you really use that on location to battle the sun?

emitecaps wrote in post #12073749
Nice solution but do you really use that on location to battle the sun?

I will, at times. Every so often I have a shoot that ends up in the afternoon on a day with a bright Sun. If I can get the Sun behind the subject and power up the effect is stunning.

I've always wondered what it would be like to be on the business end of a shot with lights that are overpowering the sun. Those poor beach models must be blind.....

I want that stand ...............