(stupid) question on ordering softboxes and other modifiers for small flash units

So I have been planning my next round of gear expansions, mainly looking at a boom stand to get more flexibility in light positioning, but I have also been looking at various modifiers trying to decide what to get next to play with. (Currently have cheap shoot through umbrellas, and of course I need more options to play with to learn more.)

So I have been looking at all the options for soft boxes in all their different shapes, and now I've gotten myself kind of stuck. I have mostly been shopping on B&H and a few other sites, but they all seem exceptional vague on minor details such as how the softbox actually attaches, and what kind of lighting gear they are actually designed for. I'm looking at many and have no idea which ones will work with the small flash units I have (I'm planning to centre my lighting collection around YN-560 mk II units for the foreseeable future)

Any help in sorting out what models are actually going to be useful for me? I rather not have to order something and return it when I find out they're only suitable for mounting with larger studio flash units instead of smaller camera strobes.

Thanks.

westcott apollo 28" and 50" softboxes are "umbrella style" softboxes that work well with hot shoe flashes

I also suggest you look at the Qbox24 from cheetahstand.com. Its a fantastic value with the grid and is a nice quality. Here is a decent link too.

http://www.amazon.com …refix=fotodio%2​Caps%2C143

Phottix, iShoot, and a couple of others offer Westcott Apollo knockoffs that are more cost effective.
I have a couple of the Phottix octas, their metal frames are a bit fragile, but not really much worse than the Westcott's and much less expensive.

I have a Cheetah Box, and while I think Cheetah Stand, and Edward, are great, the Cheetah Box is not my favorite speedlite modifier. I also have one of the foldable speedlite soft boxes from Fotodiox.

Of the three the Westcott knockoffs are the best, in my view. There is a posting on by Blog showing how I set them up to offer better tilting and also a mount that permits adding a second, third of fourth speedlite is you need the extra power.

and using the flash mounting bracket I have found that large PLM umbrellas, I have a couple of V1s with the shaft rather than monolight mount, work well too.

any link to the westcott knockoffs?

the.forumer wrote in post #14911507
any link to the westcott knockoffs?

Here is one: http://www.photoloving​.com …e16q3j55125fpl3​h44klz2m11

and here is another: http://www.phottix.com …0cm-umbrella-softbox.html

My two cents for the ones I own and what I like and dislike about them.

Ezybox 24”, 30” and 36”

These could be my favorite. Very good build quality, not too much light loss, Easy to setup. My biggest problem with these is that they fold flat to a large triangle. This is not easy to carry around in New York City for the type of photography I do. I just don’t have luck twisting these back into small circle.

Westcott 28 Apollo and 43 Orb:

Build quality is comme ci, comme ça. I already broke a few. And yes I try to reinforce the center column etc. Too much light loss due to flash head configuration. Very easy to setup and transport though. Not easy to center flash head into the modifier.

Photek Softlighter II 36, 45 and 60”

Good build quality and portability. Too much light loss due to flash head configuration. It’s not easy to center flash head into the modifier. And, yes, I have seen test done on this modifier and speed lights in this forum, still I say too much light loss when use with speedlites like SP-910 or Ex600.

Rogue Flash-bender with Large diffuser and Fotodiox Large On Camera Diffusers
These do not provide equal to the diffusers listed above.

My favorite modifier is Elinchrom 53” Octa which is not made for speedlites…

Yasmin

Here is a link to the bracket I found for mounting a single or multiple speedlites close to the center line of umbrella type modifiers. http://www.diy-lighting-kits.com/double-flash-bracket/

There is a post on my blog showing how I use it with the Phottix and Westcott modifiers.
I have also used it with a V1 PLM with good results so expect that it would work with my Photek Softlighter as well.

BTW, if you want to use monolight modifiers with a speedlite or two the Kacey Enterprises bracket works well. Here's a link: http://www.kaceyenterp​rises.com/?page_id=461

Just to clarify; I have not relationship with these companies, other than being a satisfied customer.

Thanks for the input. I really need my own shop and a heavy duty sewing machine. That would put an end to all my debates on the issue and I could just build my own.