What Softbox to Buy?

Budget $50-100. I'd prefer to order from Adorama, but will consider others that offer free shipping. Needs to be portable for field use, such as engagement shoots on location. NOT something overly large that's meant for studio only. Prefer universal use for speedlights and something like the Flashpoint Streaklight.

Thanks

[edit] Adorama carries all this stuff too, I just had them already saved in my Amazon history.

This one.
https://www.amazon.com …es-Lighting/dp/B0055E6TY2

Those are the ones I started on several years ago, I wore them out and bought a replacement set.


You'll also need an umbrella adapter, if you don't already have one. I use the metal Manfrotto ones, there are a zillion other options from reputable companies such as Cowboystudios, Phottix, Neewer - scroll through Amazon's "customers also viewed" slider.
https://www.amazon.com …la-Adapter/dp/B000JLO6OG/


If you're using it outside, don't forget your sandbags.
https://www.amazon.com …hotography/dp/B​00O4H6AI6/

nathancarter wrote in post #18203903
[edit]

If you're using it outside, don't forget your sandbags.
https://www.amazon.com …hotography/dp/B​00O4H6AI6/

Wind forces on umbrellas and softboxes very rapidly mount up, to the point where sandbags are very rapidly overpowered, due to the leverage of the wind on the modifier amplified by the 'lever arm' of an extended light stand! And unless you enjoy moving lots of dead weight to/from the shooting location from the car, it is tiring and especially unrewarding in how quickly the dead weight is overpowered.

Wilt wrote in post #18203925
Wind forces on umbrellas and softboxes very rapidly mount up, to the point where sandbags are very rapidly overpowered, due to the leverage of the wind on the modifier amplified by the 'lever arm' of an extended light stand! And unless you enjoy moving lots of dead weight to/from the shooting location from the car, it is tiring and especially unrewarding in how quickly the dead weight is overpowered.

Yes, all true. Outside on a very gusty day, you likely won't want to use any modifiers at all, or perhaps just little dish reflectors.

You could try bringing an assistant, as long as they promise to keep their hand on the lightstand at all times, because as soon as they get distracted and let go, you'll get the strongest breeze of the day.

learn to blend bare flash to ambient well. I've seen some amazing bare flash photography

I myself haven't learned this trick well yet.

Don't forget bounce as an option. A metal dish directs the light to something large and white: an available wall, side of a truck, assistant-held reflector (e.g. California Sunbounce). It's amazing what you can find in our built environment if you scout your shooting locations. You might even adapt the site beforehand, like mount white canvas or foamcore to a building or between two trees. It works in Hollywood!

I've used my 5-in-1 to bounce a flash off before, its awesome

Silver-Halide wrote in post #18203354
Budget $50-100. I'd prefer to order from Adorama, but will consider others that offer free shipping. Needs to be portable for field use, such as engagement shoots on location. NOT something overly large that's meant for studio only. Prefer universal use for speedlights and something like the Flashpoint Streaklight.

Thanks

If you prefer to order from Adorama but another - equally reputable - retailer has a better deal on shipping, then you'll email me: Helen@adorama.com to see if we can match........

Emailing you now, Helen
thanks

nathancarter wrote in post #18203937
Yes, all true. Outside on a very gusty day, you likely won't want to use any modifiers at all, or perhaps just little dish reflectors.

You could try bringing an assistant, as long as they promise to keep their hand on the lightstand at all times, because as soon as they get distracted and let go, you'll get the strongest breeze of the day.

If the converse of Ferengi Rule of Aqusition #82 holds ("The flimsier the product, the higher the price"), I'm amazed at the number of spills my Yongnuo speedlights have taken, even onto pavement, busting apart, and were snapped back together and good to go. "Please sir, can I have another?"