Shallow vs deep softboxes.. which one?

I need some insight on a shallow or deeper softbox. Why would I need a shallow or deeper one? And would it make a difference if it was 4" difference in depth between the two for say a 30"x48" softbox?

Shallow boxes have a wide light spread for example 75 degrees. Deep boxes have a narrower light spread for example 65 degrees. Its easier to control light spread with a deeper box, but harder to physically work with it. I think shallow boxes outfitted with grids are more convenient all around solution.

You don't want a shallow softbox, octa or strip. If you think about it, a shallow modifier doesn't have a lot of surface area and the actual flash tube is much closer to the front layer of diffusion material. This means that the coverage isn't going to be as great and there's going to be a significant hot spot. When the modifier is deeper there is more surface area for the light to bounce around and greater distance from the flash tube to the front of the modifier and that translates to a more diffused light, less rapid falloff, move even coverage and less of a hot spot.

TMR Design wrote in post #8824525
You don't want a shallow softbox, octa or strip. If you think about it, a shallow modifier doesn't have a lot of surface area and the actual flash tube is much closer to the front layer of diffusion material. This means that the coverage isn't going to be as great and there's going to be a significant hot spot. When the modifier is deeper there is more surface area for the light to bounce around and greater distance from the flash tube to the front of the modifier and that translates to a more diffused light, less rapid falloff, move even coverage and less of a hot spot.

Is this a problem with larger sizes softboxes only? I am asking because Chimera makes both deep and shallow models and from what I understand both produce even light/minimal hot spot.

The same laws of physics apply no matter what size box. Shallow softboxes are primarily designed to be used with continuous lights that have a wide angle throw. This fills the box differently from the way a strobe's flash tube throws light into the box.

You really won't find shallow boxes that are intended for use with strobes or strobes only.

TMR Design wrote in post #8825461
The same laws of physics apply no matter what size box. Shallow softboxes are primarily designed to be used with continuous lights that have a wide angle throw. This fills the box differently from the way a strobe's flash tube throws light into the box.

Do you mean such continues lights produce light spread angle greater than bare flash tubes? I understand Elnichrom flash tubes do not provide 360 degree spread angle because of the back plate.

TMR Design wrote in post #8825461
You really won't find shallow boxes that are intended for use with strobes or strobes only.

but Chimera offers a shallow line of softboxes for strobes:

"CHIMERA Super PROTM Shallow Lightbanks are 30% thinner than CHIMERA Super PROTM Standard Lightbanks allowing CHIMERA Super PROTM Shallow Lightbanks to be used in smaller shooting spaces"

http://www.chimeraligh​ting.com/dspProduct.as​p?productid=32

abdul10000 wrote in post #8827526
Do you mean such continues lights produce light spread angle greater than bare flash tubes? I understand Elnichrom flash tubes do not provide 360 degree spread angle because of the back plate.

but Chimera offers a shallow line of softboxes for strobes:

"CHIMERA Super PROTM Shallow Lightbanks are 30% thinner than CHIMERA Super PROTM Standard Lightbanks allowing CHIMERA Super PROTM Shallow Lightbanks to be used in smaller shooting spaces"

http://www.chimeraligh​ting.com/dspProduct.as​p?productid=32

Many continuos light sources have a very broad spread of light.

I'm not saying that there aren't shallow boxes and clearly there are but they can't work magic and there is nothing amazing going on inside those boxes so the end result is that the coverage and falloff is quite different from that of a standard depth box.

If someone owns one or both types I'd love to see the readings but based on the design and concept it follows that falloff from center to edge can't be as good as the deeper box and that means more of a hot spot. The same laws of physics have to apply. If the flash tube is closer to the diffusion panel then there is faster falloff and center to edge measurements have to suffer.

There are times when someone might *need* a shallower xovg box, and in this case a shallow soft box, despite it's possibly different coverage, may be the only solution.

Want to put a softbox as overhead light off a boom over a standard office cubicle? It wouldn't take much for a deep box to be too close to the subject or visible in the shot in such a low-ceiling environment . . .

that's why there are options . . . so you can pick the right one for the job.


But, it's safe to say that if you have the room and the cash, deeper is better in softbox land.

It's like Lego pieces. You might be able to build most anything with standard shaped blocks . . . but there'ss always that time when you have a really specific need and you break out a less-used but still vital piece.

k_strecker wrote in post #8828674
There are times when someone might *need* a shallower light box, and in this case a shallow light box despite it's possibly different coverage may be the only solution.

Want to put a softbox as overhead light from a boom over a standard office cubicle? It wouldn't take much for a deep box to be too close to the subject in such a low-ceiling environment . . .

that's why there are options . . . so you can pick the right one for the job.


But, it's safe to say that if you have the room and the cash, deeper is better in softbox land.

I agree completely. Certainly there are situations when it might be more desirable but if asked the generic question about softboxes I would always recommend the deeper box first.

Of course, if you have a preference for the quality of light you get from a shallow box then I wouldn't try to convince anyone that it's not good or won't do the job.

Thanks TMR for your input. For now my lighting needs are a more consistent non gradient light, so I'll forego the shallow box for now.