Lastolite Hot Shoe EZ Box vs Cheetah QBox?

Please give me your opinions on these choices for a softbox for my 580EX II.
Lastolite Hot Shoe EZ Box vs. Cheetah QBox

Thanks a million in advance.

I'd be interested in the answer to that too.

Hey Mark... I can only vouch for the Lasolite EZBOX 24x24 softbox unit... Construction on the softbox and mounting bracket is very good... It also has dual diffuser panels for softer light distribution... Putting it together is easy, but collapsing it back to its original state can be a bit tedious, initially... After doing it a few times, it's no problem at all... Sample shot below mounted on a mini-boom:

@Roy: We're definitely in the right place, Roy! Cheers!

@airbtutchie: Great photo of your EZBox setup on the mini-boom! Appreciate hearing your experience. Some have told me that the mounting hardware was a bit flimsy and that they'd replaced some screws from a hardware store as a result. Forgot where I read that. Glad to know you endorse it.

^ Ahhh... Yes... The imfamous "flimsy" mounting unit... If recollection is correct, the eBay knockoff version has that issue; it's a mini-ball-mounting unit... The Lasolite mounting unit is made out of thick, hard construction plastic... I have detailed pictures of it in my photobucket account, but I can't access that website here @ work... I'll post them up when I get home so you can visually see it... Anyhoo, I do endorse it... Although if you wanted to save some $$$, I hear the Cheetah Qbox is just as good... To bad they didn't have it when I bought my two softboxes several months ago... Nonetheless, it's a great investment in my book... Closeup pics forthcoming, Mark!!!

- airbutchie

edit: Looking at the Cheetah brand, they use the "mini-ball-mounting" unit... Hmmmmmm... FYI...

airbutchie wrote in post #10400511
^ Ahhh... Yes... The imfamous "flimsy" mounting unit... If recollection is correct, the eBay knockoff version has that issue; it's a mini-ball-mounting unit... The Lasolite mounting unit is made out of thick, hard construction plastic... I have detailed pictures of it in my photobucket account, but I can't access that website here @ work... I'll post them up when I get home so you can visually see it... Anyhoo, I do endorse it... Although if you wanted to save some $$$, I hear the Cheetah Qbox is just as good... To bad they didn't have it when I bought my two softboxes several months ago... Nonetheless, it's a great investment in my book... Closeup pics forthcoming, Mike!!!

- airbutchie

edit: Looking at the Cheetah brand, they use the "mini-ball-mounting" unit... Hmmmmmm... FYI...

You da man, Mike - I really appreciate the great replies! I did just see your review on B+H Photo, too.

I am flirting with the Cheetah unit, too, so this helps. Or confuses, but I like getting the opinions! (Cheetah's Speed Pro kit looks pretty nice, too.)

As promised, Mark... Here's some closeups (labeled appropriately) of my EZYBOX 24x24 softbox...

Phenomenal, Mike. Thanks so very much for all the effort. Great shots.
You have me convinced!

Most obvious difference, based on the pictures and looking at my QBox is that the LZ bracket does not have any tilt capability. The QBox has a ball socket between the flash mounting bracket and the light stand attachment.

Other than that they are basically identical. As are several of the eBay sourced boxes.

I have a QBox, as well as another similar box. Both have what I consider marginal mounting brackets. I also think the LZ box mounting is marginal.

I would find a cheap eBay box, buy it and then get an adapter for an S type monolight mount and the Cheetah, or similar flash bracket to S type mount. In the long run its a much more reliable mounting approach.

Nice shots. Quick question... how is this on location(outdoors) is the box secure to the mounting ring... can it handle a decent breeze?

Thanks in advance.
Hatch

^ You're welcome... Oh... And btw... My name is actually Butch... Hehhehehehe...

I have used 2 types of the ebay knockoffs, one without internal panel and the other one has. I am not a fan of their ball heads. They are IMO not strong enough! What I did with my second one is replaced the ball head with a umbrella swivel which is stronger and easier to control.

I shot with the first one in the desert and I had to asked an assitant to hold one edge of the box to stay put. The ball head just can't keep the box on its place. But that is an extreme situation I would supposed.

@David, Hatch & Arnold: thanks for the great input, guys.

@Butch: no idea where I got "Mike" from - thought I'd seen it under your reply somewhere - must've had a brain lapse there, sorry. Thanks again for the great info & images.

dmward wrote in post #10404667
Most obvious difference, based on the pictures and looking at my QBox is that the LZ bracket does not have any tilt capability. The QBox has a ball socket between the flash mounting bracket and the light stand attachment. I also think the LZ box mounting is marginal.

The tilt issue can easily be solved by a swivel bracket, as lukeap69 mentioned... If you look at my initial pictures (with the mini-boom) it has a swivel bracket... With regards to the Lasolite's mounting, it's definately more solid and stable than the QBox (or eBay knockoff) ball-head unit..

Hatch1921 wrote in post #10404671
Nice shots. Quick question... how is this on location(outdoors) is the box secure to the mounting ring... can it handle a decent breeze? Thanks in advance. Hatch

I've taken two of these out on location shoots with a mild breeze (local park) and at the beach (stronger breeze) with good results... Just remember to bring sandbags for base support and stability...

- airbutchie

Since cheetah doesn't include grids anymore I might be inclined to go for towards cheaper ebay knock offs.