Newbie: Softboxes and lighting

Do you use continuous lighting with a softbox or a strobe? Which brands are recommended for softboxes and continuous lighting?

Continuous tungsten lights produce a lot of heat which doesn't mix well w/ softboxes becasue they're enclosed. Presents a fire hazard...

But umbrellas will work with either strobes or continuous lights.

There are softboxes that are specifically made to handle the heat from continuous lighting. Photoflex, for instance, makes 2 versions of each of their boxes and strips. On for flash only and another for flash or continuous. All the boxes made for continuous (hot) lights have a silver reflective interior and is flame retardant (to what degree I do not know).

are most softboxes made for flash?

I don't know that there is definitive answer to that.

If you were to look in B&H at softboxes you'll see in the description whether it is for flash and/or hot lights. There are many of each type.

I use only strobes, and I haven't messed too much w/ hot lights...but I agree w/ Robert that it SHOULD mention something about compatibility in the product description or manufacturer homepage.

Edit: If there's any doubt you can check which softboxes come with hotlight/softbox kits and purchase the boxes separately (if you already have the lights)

Here's an example of a Photoflex softbox.

The first link is to a flash only box, the second to a flash or hot light softbox.
The second box used for hot lights or flash can be used with anything up to 1000 watts.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ltiDome_Q39_Sof​tbox_.html

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …verDome_NXT_Sof​tbox_.html

thanks for the responses

Don't forget that there are now fluorescent studio lights that give off significantly less heat (and use less wattage) but still give out lot's of light. I use softboxes for both of my larger daylight balanced CFL's. I can blast about 15,000 lumens of light while only using 255 watt's of power. This is equal to about 1100 watt's in tungsten lighting.