Softbox Questions

Well, I suppose, but I really can't answer that question. I only have PCB modifiers, and I don't know anybody that is using any other brand of box on PCB lights. I'm sure there is someone out there who is. Actually if the backing plate is to blame, I suppose it might be possible to modify it's 'shinyness' to perhaps make things better. To be honest, for my kind of shooting, I feel it is a non-issue.

Well, after much deliberation, I've decided to go with the photoflex 3x4 softboxes. All the research I did on both led me to believe this is where I'll get more for the money.
I'll be using these with my AB800's so if I can get my hands on a meter, I'll do some testing of my own and post the results.

george m w wrote in post #9372637
Well, I suppose, but I really can't answer that question. I only have PCB modifiers, and I don't know anybody that is using any other brand of box on PCB lights. I'm sure there is someone out there who is. Actually if the backing plate is to blame, I suppose it might be possible to modify it's 'shinyness' to perhaps make things better. To be honest, for my kind of shooting, I feel it is a non-issue.

Thank you, George. You have been very helpful.

mayerk wrote in post #9372781
Well, after much deliberation, I've decided to go with the photoflex 3x4 softboxes. All the research I did on both led me to believe this is where I'll get more for the money.
I'll be using these with my AB800's so if I can get my hands on a meter, I'll do some testing of my own and post the results.

Glad you got it figured out. Please post your impressions. I'll be following this closely,

Alright, if anyone's still subscribed I'd like to share my first impressions of the Photoflex lightdome 36x48 softbox. Let me start off by saying the speedring I bought along with the softbox had a crack in the aluminum that I noticed before I even cut the packaging bag open. That will be shipped back tomorrow and exchanged. Next I opened the softbox. 36x48 was a major stretch to say the least. I measured the outer diffuser and it measured 32x43. I thought then maybe the provided dimensions were from outside to outside on the lip that overhangs the outside diffuser and again, much smaller then advertised.

NOW DONT FORGET, I have a bad speedring and have not fully assembled it yet but unless it stretches another 4 inches in each direction I'm going to have to call BS on the advertised size.
On the other hand the softbox itself looks to be made of top quality and durable materials. On the other hand, I was expecting the diffusers to be a little more heavy duty but I think they'll be just fine.

Overall, I'm a little disappointed about the size discrepancy but I'll wait until it's fully assembled and metered to give my final verdict. I'll update accordingly.

Rarely, if ever, are the specifications of a modifier the same as what is stated by the manufacturer or retailer.

So if that is something that is disappointing then be prepared to be disappointed every time you buy a modifier.

You can't judge the size of the modifier by the size of the front diffusion panel. That is inset within the recessed edge.

I have an assembled Photoflex 36" x 48" LiteDome here and I just measured it. From edge to edge I measure 33.5" x 44.5".

Interesting, I didnt know that. I've been using umbrellas and they all measure correctly. Do you find that to be the case with every brad?
Either way, I've read a ton of reviews and have yet to read anything bad about the photoflex. I'm still feeing confident about my purchase, just itching to get it set up and shooting.

Is true with PCB modifiers too. My "30x60" measures 27 x 58 across the face and my 47" octobox measures 41"

Just reviving this thread as I'm in a similar situation to mayerk

mayerk, how do you like the photoflex? I'm thinking about a Chimera but the price is just too much

Ed, All I can say at this point is I'm very happy with it. It's producing great results and is very well built, sure to last a long, long time. One of the thing I noticed when doing my research on softboxes is that Photoflex always came up in the conversation no matter what softbox was originally being discussed.
It came highly recommended not only from people here, but just about everywhere else I looked. It hasn't disappointed.