Most efficient Modifier for 3/4-Full Body shots outdoors using 2x 430EXII ?

Hey Guys - I know I've started a few threads latley, please bear with me, lol...

I'm looking to do outdoor shots and for now I'm going the speedlight route (2x 430EXII). I never shoot in direct sunlight (will most always shoot in shade/overcaste days - FWIW.


Being these aren't as powerfull as AB's, I'm trying to decide what the most efficient light modifier (softbox i'm guessing) would be to do 3/4 to full body shots outdoors?

I have a QBox24 and think its very efficient, but I'm not so sure its the best for full body. I'm seeing fall off below the hips.
My next choice would be the Cheetah Octabox 36 being its bigger, but not sure if it's as 'efficient'. Also its not as easy to set up as the QBox....

I like the idea of the easy set-up of the Qbox, so if there's a larger modifier that folds down, that would be awsome.

What do you think?

Efficient - PLM. Practical outside in windy situations, probably no.

What is the problem with just using softliter 46" or the 60" model. If you shooting in shade/overcast days, they should work very nice. Or use two softbox, one for main light on face and 2nd one as fill for the body. Or let ambient be the fill.

bobbyz wrote in post #12271269
Efficient - PLM. Practical outside in windy situations, probably no.

okay, so something pratical - my guess is a softbox? and something a little bigger then the Qbox24

Is there anything like the Cheetah Octa 36" that is easy to set up/break down?

bobbyz wrote in post #12271269
Efficient - PLM. Practical outside in windy situations, probably no.

What is the problem with just using softliter 46" or the 60" model. If you shooting in shade/overcast days, they should work very nice. Or use two softbox, one for main light on face and 2nd one as fill for the body. Or let ambient be the fill.

I thought about the softliter, but I like the Cheetah Octa a bit better due to design.

You don't think the Octa 47" is too big and inefficient for a 430EXII ?

That was my only worry about the larger Octa boxes...

m.shalaby wrote in post #12271302
I thought about the softliter, but I like the Cheetah Octa a bit better due to design.

You don't think the Octa 47" is too big and inefficient for a 430EXII ?

That was my only worry about the larger Octa boxes...

Probably but I never tried. I would prefer AB800 with VML in a softbox that size over hot shoe flashes.

bobbyz wrote in post #12271463
Probably but I never tried. I would prefer AB800 with VML in a softbox that size over hot shoe flashes.

I understand, but in my original post, I stated I'm going the 430EXII route for now due to funds.

To bad no one makes a 46" brolli box like AB did years ago. I have one and love it....

Does anyone know of a softbox around 3ft? Or Octabox around 3ft that is colapsable like the QBox ?

I'm looking for something a little bigger, but easy to set up/take down.

m.shalaby wrote in post #12271638
Does anyone know of a softbox around 3ft? Or Octabox around 3ft that is colapsable like the QBox ?

I'm looking for something a little bigger, but easy to set up/take down.

Calumet has a 32" softbox (nova) and a 40" (illuma). I don't know of the ease of breakdown and set up, but the illuma is a flatter profile, if that matters to you.

m.shalaby wrote in post #12271638
Does anyone know of a softbox around 3ft? Or Octabox around 3ft that is colapsable like the QBox ?

I'm looking for something a little bigger, but easy to set up/take down.

SP Systems

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=962551

bobbyz wrote in post #12271974
SP Systems

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=962551

where are these sold ?

m.shalaby wrote in post #12272007
where are these sold ?

B&H.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=962551

With speedlite, you need to have the bracket though
https://photography-on-the.net …p?p=11330105&po​stcount=19

PCB makes a 35" foldable octa. I have the 47", they are pretty nice. The trick would be finding a way to use it with speedlites. Not sure if Kacey has something for that or not.

I had a similar conversation with Rob via PM a few weeks back, and then another with Brandon. Rob suggested looking into a AB800/VML if I wanted to get into outdoor shoots, but also stated that a standard 3/4 shot could be done with a 580EX and a Softlighter II or similar. I asked Brandon if the Steve Kaeser umbrellas (here) would do the trick, and he felt they'd be okay for just starting out.

The 2 main concerns from both of them were:
Overall power of the light, especially when used in mid-day environments (I do weddings...)
Size becoming an issue when used in moderate wind without an assistant

The only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger on a couple SK's and a few YN-560's is my lack of confidence in the purchase. I don't want to buy something because I "think" I need it.. I want to buy it because I "know" I need it.

^ Yeah, I'm going back and forth with Rob right now. He thinks a Softlighter II is probably best for me...