Photek Softlighter Recommendation

I was thinking about this for a kit.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …er_Hot_Shoe_Dif​fuser.html

I will be using it with a 580II. Can anyone vouch for this kit? Is this the best price available?

sinjans wrote in post #11716759
I was thinking about this for a kit.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …er_Hot_Shoe_Dif​fuser.html

I will be using it with a 580II. Can anyone vouch for this kit? Is this the best price available?

That's kind of pricey for a 60" Softlighter and an umbrella bracket. The Softlighter II - 60" by itself is only $80. So you're going to be paying close to another $80 for the umbrella bracket that you can get for under $20?

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …rella_Softlight​er_II.html

PacAce wrote in post #11718033
That's kind of pricey for a 60" Softlighter and an umbrella bracket. The Softlighter II - 60" by itself is only $80. So you're going to be paying close to another $80 for the umbrella bracket that you can get for under $20?

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …rella_Softlight​er_II.html

You're also getting the alternative diffusion panel that has the opening off center to accommodate Speedlight's and hot shoe flashes that rise several inches above the bracket.

It still doesn't justify the cost but it's another difference.

TMR Design wrote in post #11718210
You're also getting the alternative diffusion panel that has the opening off center to accommodate Speedlight's and hot shoe flashes that rise several inches above the bracket.

It still doesn't justify the cost but it's another difference.

That diffusion panel with the off-center opening, that's not in addition to the stock diffusion panel, is it? That diffusion panel itself costs $45.00 so, yeah, it still doesn't justify the price, as you said.

Any better options out there?

sinjans wrote in post #11719038
Any better options out there?

Yes, the Softlighter II by itself although B&H are temporarily out of them right now. Maybe Amazon or Adorama?

You can use the standard Softlighter but you'll have to buy or make something so that the flash head is lower and near the axis of the umbrella for it to get thorough the central sock. If you have parts bin like many of us that chances are you can rig something up. If you don't have parts or umbrella adapters and such, then the cost of adding a few items may end up costing what the Softlighter with the off-center sock would cost.

Other than the Softlighter you can look at devices like the Westcott Halo.

Buy softliter II as mentioned and get an umbrella adapter (< $30) and lowel low-link for $8. And you all set.

TMR Design wrote in post #11719165
You can use the standard Softlighter but you'll have to buy or make something so that the flash head is lower and near the axis of the umbrella for it to get thorough the central sock. If you have parts bin like many of us that chances are you can rig something up. If you don't have parts or umbrella adapters and such, then the cost of adding a few items may end up costing what the Softlighter with the off-center sock would cost.

Other than the Softlighter you can look at devices like the Westcott Halo.

Figure in the cost of a Cheetah Speed Pro Bracket MKII and the cost approaches that of this kit. However I think a center mounted flash will provide a bit more even lighting. But even with a 580EXII I don't think you'll have enough power to fill a modifier this size or produce enough light to shoot past f4 @ ISO100. Two Sigma 500 Supers barely filled the 46 softlighter and I still couldn't get f8 until ISO400. For Speedlites I think you're better off with a 24" qbox.

Oh I totally agree. I made the assumption that the OP was interested in devices similar in design to the Softlighter. If in fact the OP just wants recommendations for a good modifier for use with shoe mount flashes then the Qbox24 is an excellent choice.

So go the cheetah route hey? I was under the impression that the softlighter II was the bees knees. I have 2 580II's if that makes a diff. I was looking at the 60" softlighter. I appreciate the advice. BTW I have no modification gear so DIY brackets areout of the question. I'd rather buy a kit for now.

emitecaps wrote in post #11719280
Figure in the cost of a Cheetah Speed Pro Bracket MKII and the cost approaches that of this kit. However I think a center mounted flash will provide a bit more even lighting. But even with a 580EXII I don't think you'll have enough power to fill a modifier this size or produce enough light to shoot past f4 @ ISO100. Two Sigma 500 Supers barely filled the 46 softlighter and I still couldn't get f8 until ISO400. For Speedlites I think you're better off with a 24" qbox.

Filling the 60" should b no problem. I only got 46" softliter but I can fill 60" umbrella in reflective mode using single 580exII with head at min zoom position. With wideangle diffuser it is better. Agree about power though. I need to do some tests with my softliter but with 60" umbrella I get f2.8 at 6 feet away from the front of the umbrella with 580exII at 1/4 power. So it is not that bad. Maybe sotliter front diffuser knock down by 1 stop but then tha silver panel on 46" one also adds back 1/2 stop from what I have seen.

Two flashes will be ideal with the 60' softliter though. Personally I prefer 46" model.

Good stuff. Thanks Bobby

sinjans wrote in post #11719474
So go the cheetah route hey? I was under the impression that the softlighter II was the bees knees. I have 2 580II's if that makes a diff. I was looking at the 60" softlighter. I appreciate the advice. BTW I have no modification gear so DIY brackets areout of the question. I'd rather buy a kit for now.

Don't misunderstand. The Softlighter is an excellent modifier and well loved. I was just acknowledging the fact that if you weren't sold on the Softlighter, didn't like the off center flash head placement or didn't want to fiddle with the standard version to allow the flash head to be centered, then going the route of a Qbox24 is a good solution.

Coverage isn't as great with the Qbox and it's not suited for the full length or larger set work but it is a very nice modifier. Doing full length with a Qbox can be done but you have to pull it back and feather it in such a way that you lose all the soft light characteristics that you'd have if you were able to use it closer or you were using a larger modifier such as a 46" or 60" Softlighter.

how about Steve Kaeser's umbrella softbox for another option? it's very affordable compared to softlighter and qbox, several ppl are using it and have been getting good results.

edit: on another thought, your flash will be off-center as well just like softlighter