Elinchrom Rotolux Deep Octobox on Calumet Genesis

I have two Genesis 200 monolight's and am starting to look at getting another modifier for one of them (currently I just have the two included umbrella's). I'm undecided as to whether I should get a regular softbox or something like this:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Rotalux_Deep_Oc​taBox.html

I'm slowly getting into pet portraits and I practice my people portaiture on my daughter/friends of the family. I'm trying to step up from the umbrella's to something a little bit better that offers a little more control. Also, I'm pretty sure the answer is yes, but can anyone confirm for me that the above linked item will mate up to my Genesis lights out of the box? Thanks in advance guys.

Checkout the speedring/mount on genesis light you have. I dont have Genesis but I believe you cant mount right of thebox.

the deep octo has a definitive light pattern. for portrait you may want a larger softbox like the 53" for a more even spread rather than a tighter spread.

and yes- the genesis uses the Elinchrom mounting system.

Oh Ok havent heared that before Hawkey. Thanx for the info

its deep and that's why it has a narrower spread more like the spread from a square softbox. I use it for portraits and it works fine, but its not my first to go to modifier

The Deep Octa, if used with both layers of diffusion and at close range will give you similar light to the 53" Octa, but that's not why people buy the Deep Octa.

If you're doing portraiture and love soft wraparound light then the 53" is the better choice. Its size makes it great for anything from headshots to full length or even couples, infants and children. I think it's a really wonderful modifier.

As mentioned, the Genesis lights use the Elinchrom mount so any and all Elinchrom modifiers will work.

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I'll start looking at large softboxes for now. I'm liking this one:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …talux_Softbox_3​5_5_x.html

Is this a suitable size to do anything from head shots to full bodies?

cueball wrote in post #8736401
Thanks for the replies guys. I think I'll start looking at large softboxes for now. I'm liking this one:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …talux_Softbox_3​5_5_x.html

Is this a suitable size to do anything from head shots to full bodies?

Not ideal for full length but very do-able. You'll need to feather the light from top to bottom and having a full length reflector for ill will do a nice job in terms of returning some additional light to the lower legs and feet.

Having said that, for less money you can get something like this:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …me_Q39_Large_So​ftbox.html

or you can get something like this which would be great for full length work:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Q39_X_Large_So​ftbox.html

Since my Genesis 200's aren't super powerful is it going to be harder for me to get good output using a softbox that has a white liner vs silver? Or is the difference pretty negligible? I know that the white one will give a more diffused/softer light but is that the only difference? I don't have a huge space to work with so it's not like I'm going to be putting the lights that far away. Right now I'm in a spare bedroom upstairs in my house but I'm thinking of moving my setup out to the garage at some point.

cueball wrote in post #8736885
Since my Genesis 200's aren't super powerful is it going to be harder for me to get good output using a softbox that has a white liner vs silver? Or is the difference pretty negligible? I know that the white one will give a more diffused/softer light but is that the only difference? I don't have a huge space to work with so it's not like I'm going to be putting the lights that far away. Right now I'm in a spare bedroom upstairs in my house but I'm thinking of moving my setup out to the garage at some point.

200 Watt seconds is plenty powerful in a small space and you can easily get f8-f/11 for shooting portraiture. I've used a Nikon SB-900 (rough equivalent to a 580EXII) in the 36" x 48" softbox with the white interior and it was more than enough so you're not going to have any problem with a Genesis 200.

The white interior does give you a softer more diffused light source but there isn't much of a difference in efficiency.

If you do want a silver interior that same box is available with silver and gold inserts but it's more expensive and it appears as if Photoflex has discontinued those for some reason. B&H doesn't have them but Adorama has it for $225.

Personally, I would get the lesser expensive one with white interior. You'll be fine with it and if you do want to add some specularity for more of a glamour look you can always use a large silver reflector for fill or for clamshell lighting. It works great.

Robert, both are great choices. I'd love the 72" box

hawk911 wrote in post #8737356
Robert, both are great choices. I'd love the 72" box

Hey Geoff,

Yeah, that 54" x 72" looks great. I bet it's fantastic for full length work.

I happen to pick up a copy of the Chimera version of the 72" and I didn't realize how BIG the thing was until the first time I put it together. Just make sure you got enough room

Ken

TMR Design wrote in post #8736477
Not ideal for full length but very do-able. You'll need to feather the light from top to bottom and having a full length reflector for ill will do a nice job in terms of returning some additional light to the lower legs and feet.

Having said that, for less money you can get something like this:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …me_Q39_Large_So​ftbox.html

or you can get something like this which would be great for full length work:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Q39_X_Large_So​ftbox.html

How is the quality of Photoflex softboxes? Compared to Elinchrom softboxes are they comparable, lower, or better in build quality?


The nice thing about the large (48x36) model is that it has a grid available and is also easier to use for small product photography such as food, clothing, etc.

HI Abdul,

I've been using Photoflex softboxes for a few years now and I really like them. I think they're a great value with excellent build quality and construction. I have three softboxes and they're all in perfect condition.

Another great thing about the Photoflex boxes is that the grids are reasonably priced and that's a really important thing to me.

It's hard to compare build to Elinchrom because they're so different but I haven't found anything about Photoflex that I don't like.