Novice Softbox

I've just bought my second speedlight. I currently have a stand, shoot through umbrella and a reflective umbrella (i.e. classic strobist starting kit).

I'm thinking that a nice softbox will be good. I will mainly shoot portraits and perhaps some 'product' or tabletop macro. In terms of portraits, probably not full length (at least, I haven't done any so far, but who knows what the future holds . . .).

So . . . any suggestions for a decent softbox? I don't mind spending a little bit of mney, so I am looking at up to about $200 for a kit (i.e. with stand and connectors/adapters as required).

Is 24' x 24' big enough?

Should I get an octobox, or square? Apart from the shape for catchlights, what are the benefits/disadvantages​?

Should the speedlight be on an external mount, or internal (I'm thinking Westcott rapid box here) - I use YN622Cs, so line of sight not required.

Main use will be at home, but I would like it to be portable. It doesn't need to be small enough to hike with, but being able to carry in a bag is good (not that I expect that to be a difficulty for any setups that I am considering).

What haven't I thought of?

What do you think about a portable foldable softbox?
With the add of a grid you can control the spill of the light.
The dimension of the diffuser are functional to the size of the subject taking into account that the distance between the diffuser and the subject would not to exceed 1-2 times the size of the diffuser otherwise you will lose the properties of light achievable using a diffuser.

For as long as you are sticking with Speedlites (GN c 58) then flash power starts to become an issue at (ballpark) 32 X 32 in. More so, if you demand quick recycle & creamy smooth light at the diffusion surface.

I'm not saying there's any hard limit but at 32 X 32 in I use 2 Speedlites with their fresnels splayed to widen coverage in a 'firing forward' style Speedlite softbox.

Lastolite have changed their Pop-up S'boxes and offer a version that handles up to 4 Speedlites - or - a Studio strobe . . . (Search under Ezybox II or Multifit .. )

alessandro2009 wrote in post #16898358
What do you think about a portable foldable softbox?
With the add of a grid you can control the spill of the light.
The dimension of the diffuser are functional to the size of the subject taking into account that the distance between the diffuser and the subject would not to exceed 1-2 times the size of the diffuser otherwise you will lose the properties of light achievable using a diffuser.

Not averse to a folding softbox - what did you have in mind?

OceanRipple wrote in post #16898437
For as long as you are sticking with Speedlites (GN c 58) then flash power starts to become an issue at (ballpark) 32 X 32 in. More so, if you demand quick recycle & creamy smooth light at the diffusion surface.

I'm not saying there's any hard limit but at 32 X 32 in I use 2 Speedlites with their fresnels splayed to widen coverage in a 'firing forward' style Speedlite softbox.

Lastolite have changed their Pop-up S'boxes and offer a version that handles up to 4 Speedlites - or - a Studio strobe . . . (Search under Ezybox II or Multifit .. )

Thanks for that - I hadn't really thought about power. I just bought a 600 EX RT, so there should be enough power for up to 32 x 32 . . .

Do the same power considerations apply to front firing boxes, versus reverse firing boxes? Any other issues between those 2 styles?

dodgyexposure wrote in post #16898603
Not averse to a folding softbox - what did you have in mind?

I am very happy with my cheetah stand qbox 24. They offer a package with bracket, grid and round "flag" that I found to be the best value available. I only quickly looked on their site the other day, but I didn't see a 24x36 which I would have bought on the spot.

Hi, re the 600ExRT - when zoomed to 24mm, there's very little power difference between a 600ExRT and the old 550Ex.

Generally it's easier to get super smooth light from a rear firing style - most front firing types (my choice) have two diffusion layers for a reason. Forward firing types tend to be front heavy, so need a strong adaptor. Factor in a grid too.

With rear firing types you will need a mini-boom or equivalent to achieve significant downward tilt (otherwise limited by the slot for the stand).

dodgyexposure wrote in post #16898603
Not averse to a folding softbox - what did you have in mind?

The already mentioned Cheetah Qbox 24 or the slightly larger Cheetah QBox30 (1) seem interesting solutions for use until 3/4 body shoot to avoid losing the properties of light given by the diffuser.

1) If you double the distance of the diffuser from your subject should be possible a 3/4 body shoot.

Keep in mind that if you go bigger than 24x24, you will likely need a heavier duty stand if you have a lightweight one now.

Thanks for all your useful responses.

Does anyone have a view on octaboxes v square folding boxes?

Without using a grid a square softbox have a more directional light.

Do you mean without using a grid on the octabox? Or without using a grid on the square softbox?

I assume that a relevant issue is whether the softbox has recessed edges?

A grid give a precise control so i mean without using a grid on both solutions.

dodgyexposure wrote in post #16900857
I assume that a relevant issue is whether the softbox has recessed edges?

At normal working distance recessed edges alone can't give significant advantages.

What matter is the shape of the diffuser.

The brolly type boxes work with light stands pretty well and are cheap enough that if you don't like it you are out less than ~$20 or ~$35 for a pair of them. You will need a bracket to use on a light stand which is extra but needed for most anything light stand related.

I also have a cheap 24x24 softbox from Amazon and the quality is great for the $30 that it costs, but it is surprisingly heavy. I have to use a heavier boom arm/stand combo thing I have to feel safe using that generally. The softbox will come with the tilt bracket to attach to the light stand.

I might upgrade equipment later, but for my use they are fine and great to play with.

I have heard nice things about the Cheetah box as others have mentioned however.

toolman21 wrote in post #16902029
The brolly type boxes work with light stands pretty well and are cheap enough that if you don't like it you are out less than ~$20 or ~$35 for a pair of them. You will need a bracket to use on a light stand which is extra but needed for most anything light stand related.

I also have a cheap 24x24 softbox from Amazon and the quality is great for the $30 that it costs, but it is surprisingly heavy. I have to use a heavier boom arm/stand combo thing I have to feel safe using that generally. The softbox will come with the tilt bracket to attach to the light stand.

I might upgrade equipment later, but for my use they are fine and great to play with.

I have heard nice things about the Cheetah box as others have mentioned however.

Is this the softbox you have?

http://www.amazon.com …&psc=1&smid=ATJ​1HHEILSBYQ