Wescott Rapid Box Octa review

I just bought a Wescott Rapid Box Octa for an upcoming assignment where I have to travel by air. This umbrella like softbox is 26", works with your shoe-mount flash and only has a one-stop loss with the diffusion material in place. I did an extensive write-up on it along with some photos for you to view. Go to www.foto-gizmo.blogspot.com

pricey little sucker, isn't it. Any shots with it?

this; http://www.amazon.com …a+softbox+for+p​hotography

and this; http://www.lightenupan​dshoot.com …Bracket/flashst​rap2.0.jpg

Are cheaper, and more compact. They probably provide better light since the source is indirect.

I know I like mine without a diffusion panel.

David... you use that flashstrap much?

No lip.

I will take my alien Bees with SP Systems 37" octa.

dmward wrote in post #15810316
this; http://www.amazon.com …a+softbox+for+p​hotography

and this; http://www.lightenupan​dshoot.com …Bracket/flashst​rap2.0.jpg

Are cheaper, and more compact. They probably provide better light since the source is indirect.

I know I like mine without a diffusion panel.

Problem with that first box wouldn't you have the tilt issues like the wescott Apollo?

mini boom inside might fix that

hawk911 wrote in post #15813118
mini boom inside might fix that

Or you mean the multiboom http://brianhurseyphot​ography.com/blog/?p=32​7 Well depends on the length.

just anything short enough to allow a new angle for the flash units

bhursey wrote in post #15813008
Problem with that first box wouldn't you have the tilt issues like the wescott Apollo?

On my blog I show how I do it with a PCB Mini-boom to get the off-set.
Works like a charm.

HAWK, I've moved to the strap thingy after I had a stand go over with a speedlite attached to a cold shoe mount on an umbrella swivel. The momentum from falling tore the flash hot foot out of the cold shoe. I'm sure that Canon is going to ask for about $100 to fix it.

The tip over was outside with a 9" softbox on the flash which probably helped pull it out of the shoe.

And in addition they keep the flash tube close to the centerline.

Elv's bracket is a two edged sword. Its a great bracket for multiple speedlites in an Apollo type device. Especially those around 90Cm.

For a single light, its a bit heavy and starts to make the modifier etc. top heavy on my Cheetah 8s or Calumet mini stands.

was that a 550ex by chance? the 580ex ii is much more robust. I still have a 550 waiting for the shoe replacement.

hawk911 wrote in post #15813410
was that a 550ex by chance? the 580ex ii is much more robust. I still have a 550 waiting for the shoe replacement.

It was a 600Ex-RT.
Bent the metal foot, and tore it lose from the pins holding it onto the plastic part of the base. Naturally the flash doesn't work via the shoe but it worked just fine as on the strap mount as a remote.

oh.. then the strap is a great idea

I think so.
I was looking around trying to find the best way to DIY something similar. For the price its not worth finding the parts.
Best of all its small and relies on a standard umbrella adapter.

Speaking of which, Phottix sent one of their umbrella adapters along with Elv's bracket for me to test.
Its the best umbrella bracket I've come across so far, and I think I have at least one from about 4 or 5 different sources. The Calumet (identical to Manfrotto) is great but the big T screw for securing the top spigot is aggravating. Keeps getting in the way. And the Phottix has a serrated joint which I prefer.

It looks like an Aurora Firefly but a bit cheaper with an inner diffusion panel.