Before I bought my PCB Octabox I looked for reviews and found lots of user but no hardcore measurebating and numbers. So I figured I would provide some for future searchers. I am including the Calumet Nova softbox because its another budget modifier for broke folks like meself. I dont think you can get them in silver interior anymore but build should be similar. Mine is kind of an oddball size at 32x43"
The PCB Octa is slightly thinner material than the Nova but once its put together and locked in place its very sturdy and solid feeling.
Here it is without any diffusion in place.
Here it is with both diffusion panels put in place and with some light.
Note that the F numbers provided are NOT for the exposure you see in the image above. I had to turn my AB800 down to 1/32 to get it dim enough to not be blown out. The numbers you see are an average of 5 meter readings at 1/4 power setting. Meter was 1" from the fabric and at the edges was 1" from the outside edge.
I took 5 readings at each location to account for inconsistencies. The actual readings were as follows.
A-Center
22.7
22.7
22.7
22.7
22.7
B-Upper Left Corner
22.6
22.5
22.5
22.5
22.5
C-Far Right Edge
22.5
22.5
22.6
22.5
22.6
The Calumet Nova box seems to be built with a little bit thicker material and the stitching looks a bit thicker.
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The actual numbers on the Nova are as follows.
A-Center
22.3
22.3
22.3
22.3
22.3
B-Upper Right Corner
22.0
22.1
22.1
22.1
22.0
C-Far Left Edge
22.0
22.0
22.0
22.1
22.2
D-Far Lower Edge
16.9
16.9
16.8
16.8
16.9
Note that the power slider was not touched between the meter readings of the 2 modifiers.
