Basic Softbox questions

I am using a Chimera 24x36 softbox that was originally purchased for video lights. I am shooting portraits with strobes and want soft lighting.

1. Does the fact that it was originally marketed for video lights make a difference with the quality of light it produces?
2. Would I see much difference with moving up to a 36x48 Chimera softbox?

Thanks in advance.

No, yes.

southwestform wrote in post #18666693
I am using a Chimera 24x36 softbox that was originally purchased for video lights. I am shooting portraits with strobes and want soft lighting.

1. Does the fact that it was originally marketed for video lights make a difference with the quality of light it produces?
2. Would I see much difference with moving up to a 36x48 Chimera softbox?

Thanks in advance.

1. NO, only size matters
2. It depends upon the distance from softbox to subject, but no matter what you only will get a 50% differential
(larger box equally soft when at 1.5x the distance to subject)
(larger box has 'somewhat softer' shadow edges (penumbra)

From B&H; "The Chimera Small Video Pro Plus softbox is designed for use with a hotlight but may also be used with flash."

To answer the second question requires a better understanding of what you are trying to photograph. If you're doing headshots or tabletop stuff then what you have will serve you well and makes for a nice portable softbox. If you're indenting to do full body work, well, then you'll run into some limitations. But then, you'll notice the same limitations with a 36x48 too.

One thing that I see a majority of photographers do is use the rectangular softbox orientated in portrait mode (up and down) never horizontal. I often run mine horizontal as it gives me more feathering. Just a little side note.

What minimum size would you recommend for full body work?

Thanks.

~72" tall, in octa, rectangular, or strip shape.

Alveric wrote in post #18668823
~72" tall, in octa, rectangular, or strip shape.

whoa, go big or go home, eh?

OP. there is no "minimum size", neither is their a maximum size, other than physical constraints of using it and filling it with light. Plow through this thread and you will see many different set ups and many excellent results: https://photography-on-the.net …hread.php?t=984​150&page=1

You bet, Brisket!

Well, the OP didn't quite specify what kind of portraits he wants. I don't own a sofbox that large—my largest is 48" tall, and I can still do full-body portraits if I don't mind the lower part of the body being a mite darker—it might even help, as it'd make the eye focus on the face, which is the important part of a portrait. If, on the other hand, the OP is creating images for, say a suit or tuxedo catalogue, then it'd be a different image where the whole body needs to have the same exposure value.

Alveric wrote in post #18668843
You bet, Brisket!

Well, the OP didn't quite specify what kind of portraits he wants. I don't own a sofbox that large—my largest is 48" tall, and I can still do full-body portraits if I don't mind the lower part of the body being a mite darker—it might even help, as it'd make the eye focus on the face, which is the important part of a portrait. If, on the other hand, the OP is creating images for, say a suit or tuxedo catalogue, then it'd be a different image where the whole body needs to have the same exposure value.

I'm right there with you, 43" octa is my largest proper soft box, and I usually like that the face and upper body is a touch brighter.

I do have some shoot through fabric on the rare occasion I want to go larger.

I have two 62" strip boxes that have served me well, but I also have two five foot reflective umbrellas that I tend to use when I want something with a bit more contrast. If I still need a larger light than that I also have six foot scrims I can use to make a six foot softbox with. And if that's not enough, I also have four 4x8 foot flats I can bounce off.

How's that for covering all the bases?

P.S. I had a buddy sharing my studio last year and he used 4 300ws strobes bounced off the inside of the 4x8 flats with an 8x8 scrim in front of it, essentially creating an 8x8 softbox. I had to wear suntan lotion any time he shot in the studio.

My only SB is a Chimera Medium (3'x4') that I find big enough for that kind of lighting. For larger sources I just bounce off something like a V-flat, Photoflex self-standing 6'x3' Litepanel, or the studio wall. Smaller sources will illuminate full-length if you pull it back and accept a slightly harder light and more ambient fill.

Not a SB but I will happy with just this one.

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …ara_222_ft_refl​ector.html

bobbyz wrote in post #18669311
Not a SB but I will happy with just this one.

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …ara_222_ft_refl​ector.html

Too bad Andre The Giant is no longer with us, you'd be set.

RIP.

bobbyz wrote in post #18669311
Not a SB but I will happy with just this one.

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …ara_222_ft_refl​ector.html

Why stop at 87"?

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …a.html/?c3ch=CS​E&c3nid=98

ThreeHounds wrote in post #18669557

bobbyz wrote in post #18669311
Not a SB but I will happy with just this one.

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …ara_222_ft_refl​ector.html

Why stop at 87"?

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …a.html/?c3ch=CS​E&c3nid=98

Why stop at 10 feet?

http://www.plumeltd.co​m/jumbrella.htm