Ebay 20x20 Softbox for Speedlites Mini-Review

I was looking to get a softbox for my 580EXII and had my heart set on the Cheetah Qbox 24 (I still plan on getting one). However I was able to get an ebay version from a friend who got it from ebay seller: studio-98. I took it off him for practically half the cost since he upgraded his.

Here are some pics of it Ebay 20x20 Softbox for Speelites

To be honest I wasn't expecting much, but after a few quick snaps of my son, I'm pretty pleased with it.

-Build quality is decent and it comes with one inner baffle.
-Grid is somewhat flimsy but does the job.
-The bracket is very sturdy, with a swivel adapter.


Anyway, I meant to do more of a thorough review but it's late and I'm tired I'll add more thoughts later.

Here are a couple quick snaps I took. Pic #1 is without the grid, ISO100 f14, 1/200 (a tad hot, didn't use my meter) softbox was a couple feet away. Pic#2 was with grid, ISO200, 1/200 f13(used my meter this time ) softbox a couple feet away. 580EXII was set to 1/1 @ 24mm. White foam board for fill.

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hmm.. just checked - usd70 is pretty steep for an ebay version to me..

Agreed. I had purchased this exact softbox from the exact same ebay seller, and as soon as I had realized I had mistakenly purchased a 20" softbox, I returned it right away upon receipt. Put that $70 towards a Cheetahstand Qbox24 (only $30 more the aforementioned 20" ebay softbox), and haven't looked back since. The quality of the Qbox24 itself and the included louver grid is ridiculously impressive!

des34415 wrote in post #9725849
hmm.. just checked - usd70 is pretty steep for an ebay version to me..

I agree that it is a touch expensive, but it does come with the grid.

For reasons I don't understand, grids, seem to me, to cost a lot more then they should !!

CH

This particular softbox comes with a grid, circle mask and strip mask. The softbox itself cost around 45usd, but as mentioned I got it for half price $35cad

I'm still planning on getting the qbox later on but I know that after taxes and shipping it would cost me around $140-150us

robojack wrote in post #9726404
Agreed. I had purchased this exact softbox from the exact same ebay seller, and as soon as I had realized I had mistakenly purchased a 20" softbox, I returned it right away upon receipt. Put that $70 towards a Cheetahstand Qbox24 (only $30 more the aforementioned 20" ebay softbox), and haven't looked back since. The quality of the Qbox24 itself and the included louver grid is ridiculously impressive!

yes I remember your post somewhere else and I was aware of that. The size is really not a huge deal for me, I think it works well. Being in Toronto everything is ridiculously marked up!

IS the quality of light that much better on the Qbox? I'd like to know since I'm still looking to get one. I know from TMR Design's posts that the quality of the grid is good.

I bought the Qbox24 also. However, I also use a 20x20 ebay softbox that was $40. No inner diffusion layer, but I just add a omnibounce to my flash. It gives good results also.

Is the 20" measured at the edge of the defusion fabric or out at the end of the side panels?

Dang, bought a 24x24 eBay one without second diffusion layer or grids not too long ago. Cheaper, but I'd rather have the extras for the $$.

I have the same one I got a last month. I like how portable it is and it works great.

The 20x20" is the measurement of the diffusion layer *including* the velcro used to secure it. The actual transmission surface is 18.5"x18.5" (I mentioned this in the qbox24 thread...the qbox is 21.75"x21.75" from TMR's measurements).
The outer flaps are 24"x24" like the qbox24 and lastolite ezybox (the lastolite is 20.75x20.75" for the transmission surface)...

how about this guy from amazon? seems like a pretty good starter softbox? any comments/opinions on this specific setup? http://www.amazon.com …ics&qid=1267738​645&sr=8-9

thanks.

kenyee wrote in post #9727284
The 20x20" is the measurement of the diffusion layer *including* the velcro used to secure it. The actual transmission surface is 18.5"x18.5" (I mentioned this in the qbox24 thread...the qbox is 21.75"x21.75" from TMR's measurements).
The outer flaps are 24"x24" like the qbox24 and lastolite ezybox (the lastolite is 20.75x20.75" for the transmission surface)...

yup sounds about right.

chris sorensen wrote in post #9726993
Dang, bought a 24x24 eBay one without second diffusion layer or grids not too long ago. Cheaper, but I'd rather have the extras for the $$.

that's why I didn't mind getting this for $35cad with the accessories and really for the price it performs fairly well. My buddy used it only a handful of times.

abbadon31 wrote in post #9727031
I have the same one I got a last month. I like how portable it is and it works great.

Looks great to me! is that a self portrait?

Well, I'm not a pro, but I'm hoping to continue to build my portfolio, those of you who have the money to spend on top quality stuff, more power to ya! Until I start making more money from my photography I can't justify buying brand name modifiers all the time. For my uses right now it'll do. I simply wanted to show my experiences with the softbox.

sometimes I think we over analyze and pixel peep to death and lose the art of photography, just my opinion.

Anyway, I'm planning a couple shoots in the next few weeks, I'll see how this performs in real world situations.

I got one from here http://cgi.ebay.com …ain_0?hash=item​2eab75cbc0 a few months ago and have been pleased with the results.