a softbox or an umbrella for my 580ex II....

I guess the title says it all. I'm looking for thoughts and recommendations as whether I should get an umbrella or a softbox for my 580exII. I have a really small softbox (Alzo) for it and honestly I'd rather not use it and just bounce the 580exII.

I have a huge softbox (30x60 i think) for one of my bees. I was thinking I could just bring that but it's huge and heavy and I'm thinking not very practical for on location. It's hard to put together and take apart. That's why i'm considering an umbrella. But I love the light the softbox produces. Any suggestions? Could you provide links to products?

Thanks
Jeni

When you say location, you mean outdoors or inside? And what are you shooting, how many people?

Umbrella will be pain if windy. And how would you bounce outdoors in the open?

I carry my AB800 and 24x32 SB as is, seem pretty light to me. For hot shoe flash I wouldn't go bigger than that. You can also check Photek Softliter which opens like an umbrella but has front diffuser like an octobox. And quite cheap.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …mbrella_Softlit​er_II.html

Depends on what you want to shoot, and how you want it to look. You can get similar light to a softbox with a white shoot through umbrella, if you get one of the convertible umbrellas with the cover it can do double duty. As an alternative, take a look at this

www.skaeser.com/servle​t/the-683/%282%29-40%22-UMBRELLA-SOFTBOX/Detail

Its a umbrella box, nice light cheap as can be, mediocre build but at 2 for $30 you cant really go wrong.

I shoot in my studio with my ABs (with a softbox and an octobox). When I'm on location it could be outside or indoors. Like my last shoot the nursery was very small and hauling around a my ABs up a narrow stair case in a tiny bedroom is not something I want to do. So I take my 580exII. Normally on location I use a combo of Natural light and my 580exII. Like I said the ALZO is worthless and probably 14x14 maybe.

Thanks gonzogolf I will look into those.

steve kasser umbrellas are excellent value

c2thew wrote in post #8748554
steve kasser umbrellas are excellent value

They also mount on the bees without any trouble too.

My bracket with ring will allow you to mount your standard AB softboxes to your speedlite or speedlites.
You could purchase a standard medium AB box and use it both with your AB's or when you are out on location with our bracket and speedlites.

Thanks J Kacey...I have bookmarked your link. Thanks!

Jeni, so what did you go for in the end?

Depends on the look and power needed. I don't mean to over simplify but a lot of times I'm a softbox = inside, umbrella = outside person. Just easier to deal with the spill indoors and outdoors I care less about the spill.

they are so cheap i bought both

jenirose3 wrote in post #8746428
I guess the title says it all. I'm looking for thoughts and recommendations as whether I should get an umbrella or a softbox for my 580exII. I have a really small softbox (Alzo) for it and honestly I'd rather not use it and just bounce the 580exII.

I have a huge softbox (30x60 i think) for one of my bees. I was thinking I could just bring that but it's huge and heavy and I'm thinking not very practical for on location. It's hard to put together and take apart. That's why i'm considering an umbrella. But I love the light the softbox produces. Any suggestions? Could you provide links to products?

Thanks
Jeni

Jeni,,I ordered one of these a few days ago

http://cgi.ebay.com.au …&ssPageName=STR​K:MEWNX:IT

It's not a huge softbox but very portable.. I'll keep you updated when it arrives..

I have a kacey bracket and its very well made, highly recommend it.

would you happen to know if this softbox works with a PW flex on the bottom of the hot shoe? i know it has a different trigger in one of the pics, just wondering if it would work with a flex on the bottom of a 580 EXII?

Thanks.

carr0t wrote in post #8882667
would you happen to know if this softbox works with a PW flex on the bottom of the hot shoe? i know it has a different trigger in one of the pics, just wondering if it would work with a flex on the bottom of a 580 EXII?

Thanks.

Our bracket will work with the flex mounted to a 580 EX II in the single speedlight configuration.
Jerry