Opinions on Lumiquest softbox?

elogical wrote in post #12239867
I'd like to use the LTP for situations like, for example, where I have someone someone speaking at a podium and I can clip the LTP in position, then shoot from the middle or back of the room with a longer lens. I'm trying to avoid the snooted straight-flash approach.

The softbox seems to have limited usefulness for moving around a room with it except for when I have someone else to hold it

Softbox III or LTP works well as long as you keep it within 2-3 feet of your subject. At events and parties I often hold the wireless flash with softbox up and to the side in my left hand and shoot the camera using my right hand. It's a photojournalistic technique that works great if you can get close to your subjects. As you indicate, you can alternatively clip an LTP in position near the subject, then move further away for the shots.

I just got back from the Flashbus tour event in Chicago, and both Hobby and McNally use Softbox III and LTP all the time, sometimes just a foot from the subject's face.

thanks, will try that

Depends how mobile you need to be. Lightstands can be a headache to move around. For outdoor portraits I use a Stroboframe with a 15x18inch softbox and 580EX II(need off-camera shoe cord) mounted on camera. You can either handhold it is light enough or mount on tripod. The light is high above camera, nice and soft. Together with a reflector or two you can shoot great head/shoulder portraits. If I do indoors(where my ST-E2 works) I use a second flash 430EX for extra back or side lighting.

At home I just use studio strobes/lightstands/ big softboxes and umbrellas ha ha still the best.

I have 2 Lumiquest little softboxes they are rubbish. Also have a Gary Fong Lightsphere, also rubbish. As said then rather stick a piece of white cardboard to your flash and bounce it it works better if you cannot get a decent softbox.

I don't mind juggling 2 lightstands and a small backlight stand outside, it's the umbrella's that get to me with the slightest wind... A smallish softbox is a lot more wind resistant though, as is bouncing or shooting through a reflector.
All that said, on a windless day, umbrellas beat everything else in the portability vs light quality ratio.

I have a Wescott Micro Apollo which is 5" x7", and (when I was actively shooting weddings with film) would use this all the time when in circumstances which provided no ceiling bounce opportunity, simply because 'something is better than nothing at all'. Any shadows cast by body parts or flowers held by the bride are better softened and reduced in contrast, even to a small degree, rather than the very harsh shadows with distracting edges of shadows from a flash lens only. Yes, it might not be a perfect solution, but if you have nothing better available, you use the best tool which is at hand!

This test done to simulate a bride holding a bunch of flowers in front of her. I make an ugly bride, so my face is not shown :
With only native flash lens, at 20' from subject

I ordered the Lumiquest Softbox III after seeing how Hobby & McNally used it at their seminar recently. Looking forward to using it with a flash on a monopod at wedding receptions, like getting dancefloor and guest shots when able to get it close to the subject.

This basic kit $55 is a great start

http://www.mpex.com/br​owse.cfm/4,16699.html