Which would you choose between these 3 Softboxes?

I think you're making yourself crazy over this decision. I know you want to get it right but for the last few days or nearly a week you've been agonizing over which modifier to get.

You may have a preference or like one more than another but seriously, it's not going to make a s*it bit of difference and I think you're getting caught up in nuances that have nothing to do with the quality of the modifier or the quality of light.

If I were you I would pick one that you like and just buy it.

TMR Design wrote in post #12301821
Iit's not going to make a s*it bit of difference and I think you're getting caught up in nuances that have nothing to do with the quality of the modifier or the quality of light.

Agree completely.

You talking $100 investment, sell the darn thing if you don't like, you loos tops $50 of that.

You not going to get better quality for the price than photoflex. Grids are very nice to have on all modifiers.

TMR Design wrote in post #12301821
I think you're making yourself crazy over this decision. I know you want to get it right but for the last few days or nearly a week you've been agonizing over which modifier to get.

You may have a preference or like one more than another but seriously, it's not going to make a s*it bit of difference and I think you're getting caught up in nuances that have nothing to do with the quality of the modifier or the quality of light.

If I were you I would pick one that you like and just buy it.

I hear ya, believe me I do.

I'm just stuck on the size between the two. I like the Bowens better, but I feel like I should go with the larger box, just because its larger.

The Interfit is an extra 4 inches wide, and 8 inches taller. Not really sure in real world shooting how much a difference this makes.

Throw on top of that the Interfit is recessed, and the Bowens is flush, so it almost seems the fall of will be more similar then different for this fact alone - size considered - get what I'm saying ?

bobbyz wrote in post #12301898
Agree completely.

You talking $100 investment, sell the darn thing if you don't like, you loos tops $50 of that.

You not going to get better quality for the price than photoflex. Grids are very nice to have on all modifiers.

The photflex is cool but I want a silver interior for efficiencey and a little more specular pop.

Thats why I've narrowed it down the the Bowens and Interfit... as much as I would like your input, I can see this topic is dragging so I'll just draw straws I guess.

m.shalaby wrote in post #12301911
I hear ya, believe me I do.

I'm just stuck on the size between the two. I like the Bowens better, but I feel like I should go with the larger box, just because its larger.

The Interfit is an extra 4 inches wide, and 8 inches taller. Not really sure in real world shooting how much a difference this makes.

Throw on top of that the Interfit is recessed, and the Bowens is flush, so it almost seems the fall of will be more similar then different for this fact alone - size considered - get what I'm saying ?

Photoflex grids are virtually the same price as the modifier itself. The build is also very good considering the price. I try to stick with one system for consistency. For running around the Qbox24 and Wescott 28 seems to be a great strobist setup.

The price of an extra large q39 softbox is 185 dollars. Thats a great price for that sort of size. If you wanted to double up the boxes you have a large window

m.shalaby wrote in post #12302025
The photflex is cool but I want a silver interior for efficiencey and a little more specular pop.

Photoflex makes modifiers with white and silver interiors. If you're ruling out Photoflex because you didn't think they have silver interiors then you should look again. I believe that most of their lightboxes are available with either interior.

If you're looking at and comparing lightboxes of different sizes then looking at the size difference in inches (or cm) doesn't tell you much.

Instead, you should be looking at the surface area.

A 32" x 40" front panel is 1280 sq. in.
A 36" x 48" front panel is 1728 sq. in.

That's a difference of 448 sq. in. which is almost a 30% increase in size. That's significant if you're thinking of going bigger and want greater coverage.

TMR Design wrote in post #12302051
Photoflex makes modifiers with white and silver interiors. If you're ruling out Photoflex because you didn't think they have silver interiors then you should look again. I believe that most of their lightboxes are available with either interior.

I see their silver boxes, but they are almost double the price though... and I don't need the heat resistance as this is flash only.

TMR Design wrote in post #12302080
If you're looking at and comparing lightboxes of different sizes then looking at the size difference in inches (or cm) doesn't tell you much.

Instead, you should be looking at the surface area.

A 32" x 40" front panel is 1280 sq. in.
A 36" x 48" front panel is 1728 sq. in.

That's a difference of 448 sq. in. which is almost a 30% increase in size. That's significant if you're thinking of going bigger and want greater coverage.

Yeah, i broke out the same math and thought it was a lot bigger too... so I guess your suggestion is to go with the larger box? That was my gut feeling too... i just like the Bowens brand better. I'm sure the Interfit quality will be decent enough for me, a weekend warrior....

I'll just go with the bigger box i guess.

Since I'll have to get a sepearate ring - I like the idea of the Bowens Quick Ring which snaps into place.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ick_Ring_with_S​wivel.html

But you need the center incert for it:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …eed_Ring_for_Ca​lumet.html

^ B&H is out of stock (of course). Does anyone know where I can get one of these that will fit/work with the Bowens Quick Ring

I know Cheetah stand makes these:
http://www.cheetahstan​d.com …pter-Ring-for-Qbox/Detail

But not sure if its an exact fit...

m.shalaby wrote in post #12302150
Yeah, i broke out the same math and thought it was a lot bigger too... so I guess your suggestion is to go with the larger box? That was my gut feeling too... i just like the Bowens brand better. I'm sure the Interfit quality will be decent enough for me, a weekend warrior....

I'll just go with the bigger box i guess.

I'm not saying that you should go with a bigger box. I was merely pointing out that the best way to compare size is by surface area.

As Bobby said, if you happen to make the wrong choice (we've all been there) then return or sell it and move on to the next thing. There are many times that you just can't possibly know what's right for you unless you have it in your hands.

At that price point you're going to find very few differences in quality. Material and design might be slightly different but they're all somewhat the same.

Once again, I would seriously take a good look at Photoflex. I have reason to recommend them other than the fact that I own several Photoflex lightboxes and have them a lot. The quick release corners are very nice if you're working with standard speed rings and even though you have a grid with you're 36" octa, that doesn't mean that grids aren't useful with other modifiers and whenever I have the choice I go with a modifier that will accept a grid. Photoflex also has some of the most affordable grids of very good quality, compared to many brands that has crappy grids or grids that don't get much tighter than 60 degrees or so.

TMR Design wrote in post #12302204
I'm not saying that you should go with a bigger box. I was merely pointing out that the best way to compare size is by surface area.

As Bobby said, if you happen to make the wrong choice (we've all been there) then return or sell it and move on to the next thing. There are many times that you just can't possibly know what's right for you unless you have it in your hands.

At that price point you're going to find very few differences in quality. Material and design might be slightly different but they're all somewhat the same.

Once again, I would seriously take a good look at Photoflex. I have reason to recommend them other than the fact that I own several Photoflex lightboxes and have them a lot. The quick release corners are very nice if you're working with standard speed rings and even though you have a grid with you're 36" octa, that doesn't mean that grids aren't useful with other modifiers and whenever I have the choice I go with a modifier that will accept a grid. Photoflex also has some of the most affordable grids of very good quality, compared to many brands that has crappy grids or grids that don't get much tighter than 60 degrees or so.

Should I think twice about efficiency between their white vs. silver box and my 430EXII set up ?

m.shalaby wrote in post #12302306
Should I think twice about efficiency between their white vs. silver box and my 430EXII set up ?

Forget about efficiency. Get silver because of what it offers in terms of quality of light but not because of efficiency. That's what you should care about.

BTW, neither the insert from the Cheetah/Bowens speed ring or the Qbox insert with Bowens mount will fit the Bowens Quick Ring.

Buy something already.. please.

TMR Design wrote in post #12302392
Forget about efficiency. Get silver because of what it offers in terms of quality of light but not because of efficiency. That's what you should care about.

BTW, neither the insert from the Cheetah/Bowens speed ring or the Qbox insert with Bowens mount will fit the Bowens Quick Ring.

Buy something already.. please.

lol... alright alright

Rob and Bobby, thanks for the input. I'm going to pull the trigger shortly... on something.

okay okay, one more question!

I've never used a white interior box before... only silver. So with the front diffusion pannel attached, I don't know the differences. I don't know if its a big difference, or subtle...

any input on this last question?