$20 softbox anyone?

So I found THIS the other day.

It's a 24"x24" speedlite softbox "by" LCD4Video on sale for $20 (probably one of the mass produced Chinese items that you can have your companies name put on). Since LCD4Video (same company as procam) is local to me I figured why not go get one just to see, it is after all only $20.........

This thing is interesting. First off, if you clicked the link above, the bracket that is pictured is not the same as the one that came with it. The screw that holds the cold shoe on is too long and shorts out the contacts on the flash (bump it and the flash randomly fires). The front diffusion panel actually goes over the front of the box and velcro's in place on the out side of the box. And last the inside diffusion panel just barely fits (any smaller and it would not velcro in place at all.

So what does a $20 softbox look like?.....Like $20 to be honest

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Part 2:

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Thanks for the review! I am going to need/want some kind of modifier for my speedlights in the future and I was wondering if you can give some insight on the difference between softboxes and umbrellas? You said between this softbox and your umbrellas they are similar?

I've only ever used a softbox made for video before (constant light) and although it was huge there wasn't much power/it was a pain to move around/etc.

You had my interest in this till I read your last sentence......

That being said, the bracket might be worth the $20.

HLxDrummer wrote in post #15294596
Thanks for the review! I am going to need/want some kind of modifier for my speedlights in the future and I was wondering if you can give some insight on the difference between softboxes and umbrellas? You said between this softbox and your umbrellas they are similar?

I've only ever used a softbox made for video before (constant light) and although it was huge there wasn't much power/it was a pain to move around/etc.

Don't misunderstand, I'm not lighting master. I have only used shoot through umbrella's to this point, those and this soft both produce the same kind of soft light to my untrained eye. The plus of the soft box is it's it bit more directional where the umbrellas kind of spreads light every where.

Jarhed27 wrote in post #15295352
You had my interest in this till I read your last sentence......

LOL, I didn't mean it as I think it's going to fall apart at any point, just the contrary, the box and bracket are fairly robust. I just went into this expecting a $20 softbox to get put up once and then fall apart, thats all I meant. The front panel still has me a bit confused but for $20, whatever

That front panel diffuser really seems odd to me. I have Neewer 20" softboxes with no inner diffuser but the standard outer diffuser that is just recessed inside. I use those things to death and am happy with them.
I gotta agree, this thing looks pretty janky LOL. Thanks for the review!! It freaking awesome to be able to have a community put up stuff like this so that so many of us can all benefit! Regardless of whether it's crazy expensive gear or just a $20 item.

It's $40 now.

I was just about to try to order one but the pricing has changed. Do you think it's worth the $40 they are asking now?

nyne7lac wrote in post #15298952
I was just about to try to order one but the pricing has changed. Do you think it's worth the $40 they are asking now?

Honestly it's hard to say. I haven't had a chance to do much shooting with it and while the front panel is just stupid, the little shooting I did do with it didn't show it to be a bad modifier. Just oddly designed defusion panels.

It's next closet competitor is over $100. But a 30" umbrella can be had for under $10 and umbrella brackets can be found for as little as $15.

If you're looking for your first modifier then I'd say get an umbrella (impact has 43" and 45" white umbrellas that are under $15). If you already have umbrellas and just want to try something different then I'd say go for it. The quality isn't bad, just not quality you'd find on high end boxes. You get what you pay for.

I bought the same one from them a few weeks ago, and I too was rather disappointed in the way it was made, but then again it was $30 I think when I bought it, and I guess you get what you pay for. I agree with Gremlin75, it does look like a rebranded import.

I thought since it was diffused it might be a little better/softer than my umbrellas, but the way it is designed and goes together leaves little to be desired. It is basically poorly designed and made, the diffusion panels don't fit well. The outer one is very loose, the inner one just barely fits. Structurally it seems rather sound, at least so far. The mount is cheap, but it does what it was designed to do, hold a Speedlite on the softbox. What little I did play with it, as Gremlin75 said, there was no real noticeable improvement over my umbrellas. The only benefit as he also stated, is it's directional and more controllable then an umbrella. At $20 or even $30, it might be a good addition if you aren't looking for quality, but at $40 I would be on the fence. Perhaps it would be better to spend more to get more.

if that one is now $40, go with this one:
http://www.adorama.com …NmVhbHW_bMCFSmC​QgodTkwAbA

i have one and am happy with it. the attachment point between the soft box and the bracket doesnt inspire confidence, but it is the same as the one in the OP. im considering cutting a couple holes and lacing some strapping or a shoe lace to hold it on, but again i havent had a problem with it falling off yet.