Flash softboxes: umbrella vs. godox S type bracket

Hoping someone who has gone down both roads can help me: I'm looking for a 24-32" square softbox I can put in a suitcase when I go grandbaby chasing, and eventually I'll be in the market for some strip boxes for my home studio. I plan to use speedlights in them and hope to complement a Rovelight/PCB 47" Octa/Beauty dish foundation in my home studio.

I hear lots of good things about the Godox S bracket for holding speedlights, which opens up a world of Bowens mount softboxes. I also see a few folks that use umbrella mounts. Is there a general thought that the Bowens style throw a more even light, or perhaps have less falloff compared to umbrellas?

I've also heard a few people warn to avoid anything bigger than 32" square when using a speedlight.

A model I'm considering for travel (certainly open to hearing what others have done):

https://www.amazon.com …2&keywords=neew​er+softbox

Thank you

For speedlites I personally prefer the umbrella frame soft boxes. Think Westcott Apollo knockoffs.
The spring steel collapsible soft boxes like the one you reference don't fold up to as small shape.

The S bracket works with both.

What are the folded dimensions of some of these Apollo type boxes you have Dave? I have the box linked to by the OP, and the folded dimensions are 10.5" diameter x 2.5" thick. I like that it's a lot shorter than most other modifiers I've used, so can fit into more types of bags. But I'm always on the lookout for even more compact options, so if the Apollo boxes can get even smaller that would be great to know.

Fotodiox EzPro 36" octa or 24" square. I'd got with the octa.

Nightdiver13 wrote in post #18047335
What are the folded dimensions of some of these Apollo type boxes you have Dave? I have the box linked to by the OP, and the folded dimensions are 10.5" diameter x 2.5" thick. I like that it's a lot shorter than most other modifiers I've used, so can fit into more types of bags. But I'm always on the lookout for even more compact options, so if the Apollo boxes can get even smaller that would be great to know.

Umbrella framed boxes look like umbrellas when collapsed. so a few inches in diameter and the length of the ribs. Bigger box, longer ribs.
In a suit case the spring steel boxes probably can get to a smaller overall size. I've just never liked them enough to figure out how to twist them to smallest size. The one I have stays expanded.

mpstan.

You can't go wrong with either choice. Reflective type brolly boxes (softlighters) are also worth a try.

The softlighter type brollies have the advantage of being the cheapest of the three and sets up with the diffusion already in place.
The apollo type umbrellas work great with any strobe esp speedlights. You could also get grids with these.
The foldable neewer softboxes are very durable, but has the disadvantage of needing to attach 2 diffusion panels and will not work with studio strobes.

Since you might eventually use the modifier as striplights in the future, you might be better off with a modifier that has a grid.

In any case, I would suggest getting the S-type bracket.

mpstan wrote in post #18047236
H

I've also heard a few people warn to avoid anything bigger than 32" square when using a speedlight.

when your flash is at the 24mm (FF) setting, it has to be out a distance from the umbrella which is equal to the diameter of the umbrella, to fill it properly...any unfilled larger diameter umbrella gives you no softer light!

zenabi wrote in post #18047924
mpstan.

Since you might eventually use the modifier as striplights in the future, you might be better off with a modifier that has a grid.

In any case, I would suggest getting the S-type bracket.

Agree with zenabi. I would look at the 24" softbox vs. the 32", the 24" kit at Amazon that a has a grid and is only about $44, which is ridiculously cheap, given that the S Bracket normally sold for $25 alone.

I have 2 of the 24" square softboxes and have converted them over to the S Bracket, it is absolutely the best way to go. When traveling the 24" will be better, mainly due to having to (a) support it with a smaller light stand and (b) it is less likely to blow over, given the same sandbag (or camera bag) for weighting it down outside.

Wilt wrote in post #18048040
when your flash is at the 24mm (FF) setting, it has to be out a distance from the umbrella which is equal to the diameter of the umbrella, to fill it properly...any unfilled larger diameter umbrella gives you no softer light!

Which is why I put down the 14mm screen or even put a stolen type defuser on the speedlite.

dmward wrote in post #18048416
Which is why I put down the 14mm screen or even put a stolen type defuser on the speedlite.

With all your skill's I would think you could buy your own instead of proudly stealing somebody else's. This is why we cant have nice things

Scoobert wrote in post #18048421
With all your skill's I would think you could by your own instead of proud stealing. This is why we cant have nice things

Took me a minute to see to what you were referring. Mac spell check strikes again. STOFEN there is stuck.

Do any of you have experience with Cheetah collapsible beauty dishes?

Looks like it would throw light around well, particularly with a sock. I'm surprised I don't see more photography examples with it....

http://www.cheetahstan​d.com/category-s/1925.htm

Thanks everyone

mpstan wrote in post #18050333
Do any of you have experience with Cheetah collapsible beauty dishes?

Looks like it would throw light around well, particularly with a sock. I'm surprised I don't see more photography examples with it....

http://www.cheetahstan​d.com/category-s/1925.htm

Thanks everyone

I think you'd find this member has some good experience with that product.
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/member.p​hp?m=205130
Do a bit of searching.

I have the 33' white, i like it, but it is not built for travel. Not that it is fragile but it is fairly large on the mount end when collapsed. Plus, if you are rough with it when closed > packing > traveling, the fiberglass ribs that support the "umbrella" will rub against the reflector and can splinter a bit.

Any bowens type (or other like it) will have a wide end that is about 7-8 inches across when closed, that is why everyone is pointing you to umbrella types or the type that fold up with metal supports. I also have a couple of the 24" cheetah q-boxes. Those boxes are perfect for travel. Look them up, ed has a video on the product page that demonstrates the folding and storage design. He also stocks a 36" i believe.

I have both softlighters and the chetah QS33 which is the quicksilver beauty dish.

The softlighters are a good cheap soft light. I buy these from Amazon: https://amzn.com/B0055​E6TY2
Always have a spare because like other umbrellas they will break when you least expect it. The QS33 on the other hand is very durable.

As for light output they each have their own look. The QS33 is not as broad of a light source as the softlighter. It focuses it a bit more. Creates more of a crisp look. Hard to explain that I think. The look changes between sock on and off.

I've gone to using the QS33 in my pedistal photobooths. I just like the look better. It also folds down to a much shorter length and fits in the hard case with the strobe.

You can see it in the catchlights here: