Softboxes: Octo vs Square

Ok, let me start by saying that I think that all modifiers must have a reason for existing. I have used rectangular, square, strips and octo sofboxes and I see the use for the strips and maybe the rectangular ones (for when strips are not wide enough). However when it comes to square softboxes I am not sure what can they offer me extra assuming I already have 2 Octos and 2 Strips. I love the catchlights from Octos better than anything else (except ring flash), so I wonder on what circumstance it would be preferred to use a Square softbox rather than an Octo or a Rectangular?

telles75 wrote in post #9330535
Ok, let me start by saying that I think that all modifiers must have a reason for existing. I have used rectangular, square, strips and octo sofboxes and I see the use for the strips and maybe the rectangular ones (for when strips are not wide enough). However when it comes to square softboxes I am not sure what can they offer me extra assuming I already have 2 Octos and 2 Strips. I love the catchlights from Octos better than anything else (except ring flash), so I wonder on what circumstance it would be preferred to use a Square softbox rather than an Octo or a Rectangular?

Hi Rafael,

If you already have a preference for rounded catch lights and round or octagonal modifiers then you're not missing anything.

Most people either have a preference or they use the shape of the modifier to represent the type of light they are trying to simulate. If you're trying to simulate window light then having a round catch light doesn't make the most sense. These days no one really pays attention to that but that's how many people think of it. By the same token, if you wanted to simulate Sun light and the catch light created by the sun you would use a round modifier.

Beyond that, there are issues with coverage and falloff that might play a role in selecting a modifier based on the size and shape of your subject area.

TMR Design wrote in post #9330579
... they use the shape of the modifier to represent the type of light they are trying to simulate. If you're trying to simulate window light then having a round catch light doesn't make the most sense...

Beyond that, there are issues with coverage and falloff that might play a role in selecting a modifier based on the size and shape of your subject area.

Thanks for the answer Rob, it seems so evident now that you say it, not sure why I did not think of it... LOL... For some reason I just thought of catchlights, light spill and fall off but never shape. I like the strips because I love to use kick lights some times and they are easier to maintain aiming than reflectors and also are longer instead of beams of light.

Since I can use gobos to avoid light spillage when using the Octos, I hardly saw the benefits of using of Rectangular or Square softboxes. But it is obvious (now that you said it) if I am mimicking a window a rectangular or square softboxes will be the right one to use

PS: I got another 300RX on Christmas (so got a 3 RXs now), so now I can start experimenting with more complicated light setups (before I could only try this when renting strobes..or using my Speedlites but mainly for background lighting). I got to say I love the recharge time improvement from the DLites to the RX (and the less noisy fan is a bonus )

Smart thing about the catch lights, and if you want to try out product photography a rectangular softbox might be easier to control in the tight space around a table setup (and easier to flag).

If you need grids for your softbox, I think they are cheaper and easier to obtain for rectangular ones. Some brands don't even have softgrids for the octa-shaped softboxes.