Umbrella's, Softboxes or Brolly box?

Hi guys,

First, forgive me if this type of question has been asked before.

I'm thinking of getting a single strobe setup to learn on and play with. I'll probably go with the AlienBee B800 strobe.

What would be the best reflector/diffuser to put on the B800? To maximize my use and as a learning tool.
Silver and White Reversible Umbrella, Translucent "Shoot-thru" Umbrella, Softbox or Brolly box?

I have never used this type of equipment before and wanted to invest the least amount of money, so I can learn from it.

I'll be using this single strobe setup for everything, from product shots to portrait in an attempt to learn.

Thanks for your help
iSpark

It depends on what kind of results you're looking for. Umbrellas give off a little harsher light. Soft boxes give off, well, softer light. Never used a Brolly box before. If you're shooting people, personally, I'd go with a soft box as big as I could afford to get. It'll be more forgiving. Then get your $40 umbrella later.

Hey Sparks, check out the FAQ, it's excellent. I was about to subsribe to this thread, but wanted to make sure it wasn't coverd yet. Low and behold.. it's there in the FAQ with a lot of other juicy stuff.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=138912

ImagineTNT wrote in post #1594713
It depends on what kind of results you're looking for. Umbrellas give off a little harsher light. Soft boxes give off, well, softer light. Never used a Brolly box before. If you're shooting people, personally, I'd go with a soft box as big as I could afford to get. It'll be more forgiving. Then get your $40 umbrella later.

+1

Start with an umbrella!

oharing wrote in post #12170852
+1

Start with an umbrella!

I thought they were saying not to start off with an umbrella.

FWIW, 90% of the time I'm using either a brolly box or beauty dish. I'd love to get a PCB sotbox but there's not that much of a difference from the brolly boxes as far as the light is concerned.. and I get two brolly boxes for $38, vs the 1 mediucm PCB softbox for $120. I use the brolly boxes with my B800 / WL strobes all the time.

This was just a B800 + brolly box.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/tycn/5607515777​/

When I have only one light, I prefer one combination umbrella like the medium SoftlighterII, it offers so many options but what I like best are the white shoot through or with it all closed up like a brolly box, especially indoors where I want to feather the edge to have the light hit the face but not the background.