good all purpose soft box

I have a Paul C Bluff Einsein 630. What is a good all purpose soft box to purchase fot his flash? Im interested in possibly doing studio work/ fashion/ boudour/ ect...

Please let me know a good well recommend soft box that can be used in a multitude of situations. What would be the average size softbox that can handle most situations and what would be a good brand to purchase that can be used with a diffuser and other accestiories? also one that can be attached to the Paul Buff Einstein?

AB foldable softboxes are good. Another nice brand is Photoflex. There are cheaper options but I am quite happy with AB and Photoflex. A 3x4 would be nice one to have, I only have 2x3.

AB? is this alien bee soft box?

3'x4' is a good first choice, and the only size I own. 4x6 is pretty large, although suitable for full body, while 2x2 is perfect for headshots on the go. In a dedicated studio like mine, SB advantages of breakdown and mobility are immaterial, so I use panels.

Prime Visual Productions wrote in post #18300052
AB? is this alien bee soft box?

yes.

https://www.paulcbuff.​com/softboxes.php

If I plan to do some full body shots as well, would it be best to go with the 4x6 and just cut back some of the light if needing less of it, or do you believe a 3x4 would be sufficient to start with as I would still need to buy the thing for using the Profoto softbox with my Einstein as well as the sync controller for my camera to controll the einstein.

Also, if you know and don't mind sharing, what would be needed to connect the profoto softbox to my einstein light?
would this be all that is needed to connect the light with the softbox? https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …051678762%2C&A=​details&Q=

would you recommend Profot modifiers over Paul Buff

Prime Visual Productions wrote in post #18300321
would you recommend Profot modifiers over Paul Buff

Hell yes. Are you shooting indoors in studio or outdoors? If indoors how big the space. If considering profoto I assume budget is not an issue then forget photoflex and look at Chimera also. Another nice softbox are from larson particularly 4x6 size or bigger.

budget is definitely an issue, but I like to buy things once as opposed to constantly upgrading. Is the difference in profoto softboxes that big of a difference over its cheaper competitors that warrants the higher price tags? Shooting would be all over. *possibly* outside, but also indoors. rooms, basements, hotels. some small some larger spaces. should I just go for the 3x4 foot soft box? that $524 price tag seems a bit expensive for just a softbox for the 4x6' one. ouch!

Prime Visual Productions wrote in post #18300317
If I plan to do some full body shots as well, would it be best to go with the 4x6 and just cut back some of the light if needing less of it, or do you believe a 3x4 would be sufficient to start with as I would still need to buy the thing for using the Profoto softbox with my Einstein as well as the sync controller for my camera to controll the einstein.

Also, if you know and don't mind sharing, what would be needed to connect the profoto softbox to my einstein light?
would this be all that is needed to connect the light with the softbox?

The linked item (speed ring) looks correct, and you can make 3'x4' work full body with some flagging. I generally follow the buy-it-right-buy-it-once school of thought, and have owned the Chimera Medium SB and quick-release speed ring for the last decade. If you buy a SB for keeps, or intend to drive it hard, then the build quality and refurbishment options are a reason to pay the premium. But taking the cheap and disposable route is also valid. The Balcar mount used by Buff lights is feeble and I question the investment of a large and expensive SB from Profoto or Chimera. I originally chose Profoto lights because of the mount but, of course, pay dearly for the privilege. No free lunch, as they say.

after a search of chimera vs profoto softboxes, it seems that most would rather a chimera. they also seem to be cheaper than profoto. for a 3'x4' softbox, which of these would be the best option, and why? I don't know much about the modifiers.

Profoto RFi 3.0 x 4.0' Softbox
https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …4704_3x4_rfi_so​ftbox.html

Chimera Super Pro X Plus Lightbank (Medium 36 x 48", White Interior)
https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …130_super_pro_x​_plus.html

Chimera Pro II Softbox for Flash Only - Medium - 36x48" (90x120cm)
https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …0_Pro_II_Softbo​x_for.html

Chimera Super Pro X Plus Lightbank (Medium 36 x 48", Silver Interior)
https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …030_super_pro_x​_plus.html

Chimera Shallow Super Pro Plus Softbox, Silver - Medium
https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …allow_Super_Pro​_Plus.html

In general, silver interior gives greater efficiency but less even distribution at the face. Similarly for shallow versions, but those are more compact if shooting space is cramped. I would skip the II version and stay with the Pro line which allows the front diffuser to be removed and also has the deeper lip. The lip confines stray light and allows accessories to be mounted (e.g. grids).

RicoTudor wrote in post #18300415
In general, silver interior gives greater efficiency but less even distribution at the face. Similarly for shallow versions, but those are more compact if shooting space is cramped. I would skip the II version and stay with the Pro line which allows the front diffuser to be removed and also has the deeper lip. The lip confines stray light and allows accessories to be mounted (e.g. grids).

thanks. so I should probably go with the Chimera Super Pro X Plus Lightbank (Medium 36 x 48", White Interior)

Just remember that putting rods in the softbox is painful, particularly with octa boxes. That is why foldable designs are so nice if you shoot outdoors. See if you can get calumet quickring. I just piked one up from Amazon for like $20. Yo do need to have correct insert for it. Inside studio it matters less. Main issue with softboxes is the yellowing of the white diffusion material. And consistency of WB. For lot of stuff it doesn't matter. Nobody can look at a shot and say it was with profoto vs alien bees.

BTW I never had any issues with AB mount. My biggest is 5' photoflex octa, no issues. Folks don't get all the fingers in the mount and then lift and complain the modifier fell. At work we got Elinchrom and now I use strobes with Bowens.

bobbyz wrote in post #18300635
Just remember that putting rods in the softbox is painful, particularly with octa boxes. That is why foldable designs are so nice if you shoot outdoors. See if you can get calumet quickring. I just piked one up from Amazon for like $20. Yo do need to have correct insert for it. Inside studio it matters less. Main issue with softboxes is the yellowing of the white diffusion material. And consistency of WB. For lot of stuff it doesn't matter. Nobody can look at a shot and say it was with profoto vs alien bees.

BTW I never had any issues with AB mount. My biggest is 5' photoflex octa, no issues. Folks don't get all the fingers in the mount and then lift and complain the modifier fell. At work we got Elinchrom and now I use strobes with Bowens.

I wont be getting any octoboxes. is it really that hard to put the rods in the 3x4 chimera box? I seen someone setup the profoto box and it didn't seem to be too hard. if it's the same, I'm sure it won't be much of an issue.