Alien Bees and softbox

Hi everyone,
I have 1 AB400 and 1 AB1600, I would like to know am I be able to use softbox from any brand? I want to find one that can attact grid on it so I can have more control over the light, thanks and Merry Christmas.

Short answer Yes as long as you use a AB speedring

I am not sure, how come you dont order them thru AB, I have the giant one and love it. I am sure thou that you could, you might just have to adapt it some how to attache to flash unit. Post a pick if you find one that works

sam0329 wrote in post #2433272
Hi everyone,
I have 1 AB400 and 1 AB1600, I would like to know am I be able to use softbox from any brand? I want to find one that can attact grid on it so I can have more control over the light, thanks and Merry Christmas.

How were you going to attach the grid if you are using the softbox. I can't see how you can have both a softbox and the standard reflector attached to the strobe at the same time.

I mean the grid that go on the softbox, not the light, so I can have more directional light, but I guess I need to order the speedring, just want to know if it will work with other brand 's softbox... thx

AB speedring will work with other brand's softbox, but AB softbox can not take grids.

sam0329 wrote in post #2433706
I mean the grid that go on the softbox, not the light, so I can have more directional light, but I guess I need to order the speedring, just want to know if it will work with other brand 's softbox... thx

I have a couple of softboxes that came new with a grid feature accessory.

But, I just do not get the grid idea for a softbox.

The basic idea of a softbox is that is, well soft. By nature a soft light is a non directional light.

Adding the grid negates the idea of the softbox. You cannot have it soft and not soft.

Also, the grids that go on the softboxes I have are just silly things. They are not deep enough to actually make the softbox directional.

So, my take is that they are something that a marketing department yo-yo got into a product line over the objections of the engineering department.

They are a device with possibly a perceived purpose that is not actually grounded in an actual purpose.

If you want directional light, attach something other than a softbox to your flash head and be done with it.

Enjoy! Lon

thanks for all your professonal input, not I am considering a beauty dish...lol