Softbox Questions

I'm in the market for a few soft boxes right now and honestly, this has turned out to be a bigger pain then I was expecting. So Many choices of brand, size, shape, etc. I've ruled out octoboxes but that's about all I've been able to accomplish so far.

*So besides build quality, what will I get from a 300 dollar softbox That a 100 dollar softbox wont give me? *

Also, I have 2 AB800's. If I'm running a 2 light setup and shooting anything from Child portraits to Two adult full body shots, What shape & size would be ideal? I was looking at maybe getting a 32"x40" and a 10"x36" stripbox.......

So when it comes down to it, what is the real difference between a "pro" quality and "entry level" softbox?
I appreciate any enlightenment on this matter.

mayerk wrote in post #9348812
I'm in the market for a few soft boxes right now and honestly, this has turned out to be a bigger pain then I was expecting. So Many choices of brand, size, shape, etc. I've ruled out octoboxes but that's about all I've been able to accomplish so far.

*So besides build quality, what will I get from a 300 dollar softbox That a 100 dollar softbox wont give me? *

Also, I have 2 AB800's. If I'm running a 2 light setup and shooting anything from Child portraits to Two adult full body shots, What shape & size would be ideal? I was looking at maybe getting a 32"x40" and a 10"x36" stripbox.......

So when it comes down to it, what is the real difference between a "pro" quality and "entry level" softbox?
I appreciate any enlightenment on this matter.

The differences that come in to play are build quality, materials, evenness of light and quality of light.

If you want to do full length portraiture of adults I would go for a larger softbox rather than an octa or a strip. I've done full length work with a 36" x 48" softbox and it works nicely and that size or slightly larger will give you the best and most even coverage.

I would also use a nice large modifier as a fill source. For what you're describing, a nice large silver or white umbrella (or PLM) will work well.

To add to what Robert said above, I have the AB strip box but find it small (length wise). AB modifiers are nice if you looking for something which folds, otherwise I will probably look at something like Photoflex.. Now there is Creative Light but I haven't used them. Chimera/Larson also go some nice boxs but lot more money.

BTW - How big is your shooting space?

Edited:- One more thing, some of the cheaper stuff doesn't have lip around the edge of the softbox to control spill and no option of grids.

Thanks for your replies. So I guess the difference is in the materials witch play a factor in both build quality and quality of light, the only thing is,will the difference be noticeable enough to justify spending a lot of extra money. I dont mind spending it if it's worth it, but I dont want to just waste it either. My standpoint on equipment is to save and buy the nicer stuff initially rather then buy cheeper stuff I can afford at the time and upgrade later. I learned that from past purchases where I' get stuck with a lot of cheep equipment that is impossible to resell. I want to avoid that here.
I'm currently shooting in an area around 12x20 but with any luck should be in an area around (+/-)25x25 later in the year

What you consider cheap and what is expensive for softbox, I mean $ wise?

I would consider some I've seen on eBay for less then 100 dollars cheap, expensive to be 300-700 dollar range (Arri, Profoto, among others).
I looking at the Paul Buff softboxes. I know Alien Bees and White Lightning are good quality products for the price so I dont believe that they would sell poor quality softboxes either. However, I've heard many good things about Visico brand witch are less expensive. Shopping around just makes me realize how little I know about softboxes in general ( what makes a good one from a bad one). When I read the product descriptions on B&H's website almost all softboxes in all price ranges have similar, if not the same features. If build quality and materials are the key differences then why such a huge price range in similar products with the similar design? I guess brand name, like with everything else, has a lot to do with it.

Personally, I think that one of the best midrange light modifiers is Photoflex. By midrange, I'm referring to price. Quality of Photoflex modifiers is outstanding.

Build and materials are excellent. Quality and evenness of light is excellent. Price is excellent. Fabric grids are available and much more reasonably priced than many other brands. The construction of the grids is also quite good.

As an example, you can do full length portrait work with a 36" x 48" softbox. A Photoflex 36" x 48" softbox with a white interior sells for $150 and is currently on sale at B&H for $130, which is an excellent price for a box of that size and quality.

A fabric grid is available for just under $100. Although that may seem expensive it's actually a great price for that grid.

If you want to jump up to a really large box that is 54" x 72" that box sells for $185 and that's also an excellent price for a box of that size and quality.

Agree completly with Robert. I am a happy Photoflex user.

TMR Design wrote in post #9351546
Personally, I think that one of the best midrange light modifiers is Photoflex. By midrange, I'm referring to price. Quality of Photoflex modifiers is outstanding.

Build and materials are excellent. Quality and evenness of light is excellent. Price is excellent. Fabric grids are available and much more reasonably priced than many other brands. The construction of the grids is also quite good.

As an example, you can do full length portrait work with a 36" x 48" softbox. A Photoflex 36" x 48" softbox with a white interior sells for $150 and is currently on sale at B&H for $130, which is an excellent price for a box of that size and quality.

A fabric grid is available for just under $100. Although that may seem expensive it's actually a great price for that grid.

If you want to jump up to a really large box that is 54" x 72" that box sells for $185 and that's also an excellent price for a box of that size and quality.

How do you feel the quality of PCB boxes materials and quality of light compare with Photoflex? They appear to be about the same cost.

Pinto wrote in post #9351693
How do you feel the quality of PCB boxes materials and quality of light compare with Photoflex? They appear to be about the same cost.

Don't take this as knocking PCB but I feel the build and materials are a bit cheaper than Photoflex. I've never measured evenness of light so I can't comment on the amount of falloff of PCB modifiers. Quality of light is quite good from the PCB box but there is more of a hot spot as a result of the flash tube and back plate on the strobe.

There's nothing wrong with a hot spot as long as you know how to work with it, especially up close where it's more apparent and falloff is more rapid.

For my taste, I prefer light that comes from a softbox box to be more even and if I want contrast I'll create that myself.

Do you know if the Photoflex 36 x 48 softbox fit the elinchrom Bx400. also do B&H ship to the UK

TMR Design wrote in post #9351754
Don't take this as knocking PCB but I feel the build and materials are a bit cheaper than Photoflex. I've never measured evenness of light so I can't comment on the amount of falloff of PCB modifiers. Quality of light is quite good from the PCB box but there is more of a hot spot as a result of the flash tube and back plate on the strobe.

There's nothing wrong with a hot spot as long as you know how to work with it, especially up close where it's more apparent and falloff is more rapid.

For my taste, I prefer light that comes from a softbox box to be more even and if I want contrast I'll create that myself.

Thank you Rob. So the strongest selling point for PCB is the setup/breakdown?

Heart_87 wrote in post #9351779
Do you know if the Photoflex 36 x 48 softbox fit the elinchrom Bx400. also do B&H ship to the UK

Yup, you can use any standard modifier, including Photoflex with your Elinchrom strobes by using this speed ring:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Ring_for_Elinc​hrom_.html

I shoot with Elinchrom strobes and use that exact speed ring for my non-Elinchrom modifiers.

B&H does ship internationally.

Pinto wrote in post #9351798
Thank you Rob. So the strongest selling point for PCB is the setup/breakdown?

If you're talking about the foldable softboxes, then yes, I suppose that's the selling point.

TMR Design wrote in post #9351823
If you're talking about the foldable softboxes, then yes, I suppose that's the selling point.

Thanks!