I found something better and cheaper than HONL

JohnBiggsJohnBiggs Registered Users Posts: 841 Major grins
edited September 22, 2009 in Accessories
I like small portable lighting (a-la strobist) so I have been trying tons of different modifiers for cool effects. I ended up investing $150 in HONL stuff but now I've found something better. (Message me if you want to see my work with the HONL grids)


I got the link off another thread here (can't remember) www.honeycombgrids.com

I ended up buying the $50 kit which comes with all 3 grids and a speed strap. This same thing would cost $100 from HONL.

They sell three different speedlight grids that actaully are better and cheaper than HONL. They don't offer the cool snoot or gobo like HONL so you will still have to get those elsewhere but they are all compatible.

The 12" speed strap they sell is very much comparable to honl. They also sell a 10" which is supposed to be a more exact fit. In all fairness the rubber on the honl seems to have slightly more grip. Not enough to worry IMO. The stitching and everything else is just the same.

The grids are better than honl. They weigh about half as much but they don't feel like they will fall apart. The weight will actually make them perform better because no matter how correctly I attach the HONL, it sags and you don't want a sagging grid.

Now I am confident that I could literally stand on the HONL and not break it. These honeycomb grids aren't for standing but you could throw them across the room, sit on it, whatever and they wouldn't break. They also have velcro all the way around vs the honl just two sides.

In all I'm very impressed and I wish I knew about these a few months ago.

BTW: if you are a DIYer they sell the honeycomb material in any size for your own projects. About 12 cents per square inch.
Canon Gear: 5D MkII, 30D, 85 1.2 L, 70-200 2.8 IS L, 17-40mm f4 L, 50 1.4, 580EX, 2x 580EXII, Canon 1.4x TC, 300 f4 IS L, 100mm 2.8 Macro, 100-400 IS L
Other Gear: Olympus E-PL1, Pan 20 1.7, Fuji 3D Camera, Lensbaby 2.0, Tamron 28-75 2.8, Alien Bees lighting, CyberSyncs, Domke, HONL, FlipIt.
~ Gear Pictures

Comments

  • Village IdiotVillage Idiot Registered Users Posts: 215 Major grins
    edited August 24, 2009
    We have velcro cable ties at work that come in 50 yard rolls. I snipped a few pieces of that and wrapped it around the heads of my strobes. Works perfect for the velcro mods.
    On a scale of 1 to 10, my awesomeness goes all the way to 11.
  • JohnBiggsJohnBiggs Registered Users Posts: 841 Major grins
    edited August 24, 2009
    Village Idiot wrote:
    We have velcro cable ties at work that come in 50 yard rolls. I snipped a few pieces of that and wrapped it around the heads of my strobes. Works perfect for the velcro mods.

    I went to a fabric store and bought velcro that has hook on one side and loop on the other so it can wrap around anything.

    There were two problems:
    The velcro didn't have any rubber so it would slip easily. (the 580EXII was better with this since it has rubber on the head, but the original 580 is all plastic on the head so it was really bad.)

    The velcro was not as wide as the speed straps so some accessories were harder to keep attached.

    I looked for a lot of solutions and even ordered samples from textile manufacturers. It would have taken a lot of work on my part to get something good.

    I eventually gave up and got the honl speed straps for $10. But now I'll buy these honeycomb speed straps for $6
    Canon Gear: 5D MkII, 30D, 85 1.2 L, 70-200 2.8 IS L, 17-40mm f4 L, 50 1.4, 580EX, 2x 580EXII, Canon 1.4x TC, 300 f4 IS L, 100mm 2.8 Macro, 100-400 IS L
    Other Gear: Olympus E-PL1, Pan 20 1.7, Fuji 3D Camera, Lensbaby 2.0, Tamron 28-75 2.8, Alien Bees lighting, CyberSyncs, Domke, HONL, FlipIt.
    ~ Gear Pictures
  • Village IdiotVillage Idiot Registered Users Posts: 215 Major grins
    edited August 24, 2009
    Ours is probably about an inch in width. You can order different sizes from websites that sell the stuff. I have it on my 285HV strobes and as long as you wrap it tight enough, it doesn't have a huge issue with slipping.
    On a scale of 1 to 10, my awesomeness goes all the way to 11.
  • JohnBiggsJohnBiggs Registered Users Posts: 841 Major grins
    edited August 24, 2009
    Village Idiot wrote:
    Ours is probably about an inch in width. You can order different sizes from websites that sell the stuff. I have it on my 285HV strobes and as long as you wrap it tight enough, it doesn't have a huge issue with slipping.

    Thats cool. I was only able to find about 3/4 inch. It doesn't matter, straps or not, this is still a better option for grids than the honl. Grids aren't so easily made.
    Canon Gear: 5D MkII, 30D, 85 1.2 L, 70-200 2.8 IS L, 17-40mm f4 L, 50 1.4, 580EX, 2x 580EXII, Canon 1.4x TC, 300 f4 IS L, 100mm 2.8 Macro, 100-400 IS L
    Other Gear: Olympus E-PL1, Pan 20 1.7, Fuji 3D Camera, Lensbaby 2.0, Tamron 28-75 2.8, Alien Bees lighting, CyberSyncs, Domke, HONL, FlipIt.
    ~ Gear Pictures
  • Village IdiotVillage Idiot Registered Users Posts: 215 Major grins
    edited August 24, 2009
    JohnBiggs wrote:
    Thats cool. I was only able to find about 3/4 inch. It doesn't matter, straps or not, this is still a better option for grids than the honl. Grids aren't so easily made.

    No, but a shooter from NoVa made one for his Nikon flashes using gutter spouting, PVC, and little black straws. Very nice toy.
    On a scale of 1 to 10, my awesomeness goes all the way to 11.
  • Shane422Shane422 Registered Users Posts: 460 Major grins
    edited August 24, 2009
    Take a look at these for comparison. http://www.saxonpc.com/
    DIY price without the assembly.
  • JohnBiggsJohnBiggs Registered Users Posts: 841 Major grins
    edited August 25, 2009
    Village Idiot wrote:
    No, but a shooter from NoVa made one for his Nikon flashes using gutter spouting, PVC, and little black straws. Very nice toy.

    I made one using straws.... I don't know how he did it but I strongly recommend that you do not try this. It was the biggest pain in the butt.

    Cutting the straws to the same length was impossible. Glueing the straws was also difficult as you had to hold the form while gluing and it was a mess. After it was all done, straws eventually started breaking loose and falling out.
    Canon Gear: 5D MkII, 30D, 85 1.2 L, 70-200 2.8 IS L, 17-40mm f4 L, 50 1.4, 580EX, 2x 580EXII, Canon 1.4x TC, 300 f4 IS L, 100mm 2.8 Macro, 100-400 IS L
    Other Gear: Olympus E-PL1, Pan 20 1.7, Fuji 3D Camera, Lensbaby 2.0, Tamron 28-75 2.8, Alien Bees lighting, CyberSyncs, Domke, HONL, FlipIt.
    ~ Gear Pictures
  • JohnBiggsJohnBiggs Registered Users Posts: 841 Major grins
    edited August 25, 2009
    Shane422 wrote:
    Take a look at these for comparison. http://www.saxonpc.com/
    DIY price without the assembly.

    This looks promising. Its about half the cost. I'm not sure of the wieght of the foam but it is a perfect solution for a hobbyist.
    Canon Gear: 5D MkII, 30D, 85 1.2 L, 70-200 2.8 IS L, 17-40mm f4 L, 50 1.4, 580EX, 2x 580EXII, Canon 1.4x TC, 300 f4 IS L, 100mm 2.8 Macro, 100-400 IS L
    Other Gear: Olympus E-PL1, Pan 20 1.7, Fuji 3D Camera, Lensbaby 2.0, Tamron 28-75 2.8, Alien Bees lighting, CyberSyncs, Domke, HONL, FlipIt.
    ~ Gear Pictures
  • kundalinikundalini Registered Users Posts: 100 Big grins
    edited September 1, 2009
    Cool find. I've been mulling over the Honl system for the past week pretty hard. Glad I'm indecisive at times. ne_nau.gif


    I think..........
    I'll not repeat what others say, so, you can call me Brer.


    "... but I'll be sober in the morning." - Winston Chruchill
  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited September 2, 2009
    There is a guy on ebay who sells this stuff (iscphoto). I ordered a couple of grids and straps from him two weeks ago. Still watiting for the arrival of the package (I live in Europe), I hope it only hangs in customs :D

    One thing I noticed is that the Honl grids have straps fastened to them, the
    ones here dont. But that shouldn't be a big problem.
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
  • JohnBiggsJohnBiggs Registered Users Posts: 841 Major grins
    edited September 3, 2009
    Manfr3d wrote:
    One thing I noticed is that the Honl grids have straps fastened to them, the
    ones here dont. But that shouldn't be a big problem.

    The honl have two peices of velcro on the units (one on each side), then they have a 2 inch piece of velcro hanging off of that.

    These have velcro all the way around and they come with a 10 inch piece of velcro which you cut to the length you want. It's not shown in the pictures.

    I used this kit this weekend and I like it much better. Because it is lighter it doesn't sag. The honl would often sag.
    Canon Gear: 5D MkII, 30D, 85 1.2 L, 70-200 2.8 IS L, 17-40mm f4 L, 50 1.4, 580EX, 2x 580EXII, Canon 1.4x TC, 300 f4 IS L, 100mm 2.8 Macro, 100-400 IS L
    Other Gear: Olympus E-PL1, Pan 20 1.7, Fuji 3D Camera, Lensbaby 2.0, Tamron 28-75 2.8, Alien Bees lighting, CyberSyncs, Domke, HONL, FlipIt.
    ~ Gear Pictures
  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited September 3, 2009
    Good to know, thanks! thumb.gif
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited September 10, 2009
    My Kit arrived today (the 3 different grids + 2 flash straps). I could not be happier.
    It's plasticly but sturdy, very light and inexpensive. Can't wait to try it out on
    a shoot.

    If you are looking for a dealer I can recommend this guy on ebay, I
    experienced fast shipping and helpful customer service.
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
  • JohnBiggsJohnBiggs Registered Users Posts: 841 Major grins
    edited September 10, 2009
    Manfr3d wrote:
    My Kit arrived today (the 3 different grids + 2 flash straps). I could not be happier.
    It's plasticly but sturdy, very light and inexpensive. Can't wait to try it out on
    a shoot.

    If you are looking for a dealer I can recommend this guy on ebay, I
    experienced fast shipping and helpful customer service.

    Yeah, if yours are just like what I got, they are great!
    Canon Gear: 5D MkII, 30D, 85 1.2 L, 70-200 2.8 IS L, 17-40mm f4 L, 50 1.4, 580EX, 2x 580EXII, Canon 1.4x TC, 300 f4 IS L, 100mm 2.8 Macro, 100-400 IS L
    Other Gear: Olympus E-PL1, Pan 20 1.7, Fuji 3D Camera, Lensbaby 2.0, Tamron 28-75 2.8, Alien Bees lighting, CyberSyncs, Domke, HONL, FlipIt.
    ~ Gear Pictures
  • nickolainickolai Registered Users Posts: 2 Beginner grinner
    edited September 16, 2009
    Hi this is Nick from www.honeycombgrids.com. Thanks for the feedback and props. clap.gif

    FYI- We hope to have an 8" & 5" speed snoot available soon. I'm thinking around $15-$20 price range (ballastic Nylon isn't cheap).

    Any feedback / suggestions on the Honl Snoot? The 8" snoot seemed a little floppy,,, Should it be firmer? If it was firmer then maybe it could double as a bounce card. hmm...
  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited September 16, 2009
    nickolai wrote:
    Hi this is Nick from www.honeycombgrids.com. Thanks for the feedback and props. clap.gif

    FYI- We hope to have an 8" & 5" speed snoot available soon. I'm thinking around $15-$20 price range (ballastic Nylon isn't cheap).

    Any feedback / suggestions on the Honl Snoot? The 8" snoot seemed a little floppy,,, Should it be firmer? If it was firmer then maybe it could double as a bounce card. hmm...

    Hi Nick, welcome to dgrin!

    I don't own the honl snoots so I cant comment on them. However I would
    be interested in ordering a pair of snoots from you when they come out.

    You don't seem to have an rss feed on your site, do you have a mailing list for
    product updates or something similar?
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
  • JohnBiggsJohnBiggs Registered Users Posts: 841 Major grins
    edited September 16, 2009
    nickolai wrote:
    Hi this is Nick from www.honeycombgrids.com. Thanks for the feedback and props. clap.gif

    FYI- We hope to have an 8" & 5" speed snoot available soon. I'm thinking around $15-$20 price range (ballastic Nylon isn't cheap).

    Any feedback / suggestions on the Honl Snoot? The 8" snoot seemed a little floppy,,, Should it be firmer? If it was firmer then maybe it could double as a bounce card. hmm...

    Nick, some people fold the honl in a way to make it a forward reflector bof sorts so if you make it stiffer that may not work. However When I use the honl snoot I do have a problem with it not holding a decent shape.

    I have another idea for the snoot to also make it a little better than honl. If you cover more of the snoot with velcro on the output end the user could make the opening even smaller like a cone.

    I'd also like to see decent Gobos like honl, but cheaper. One side is bounce the other is black. Perhaps your snoot can do it all? The Honl sure can't.

    Lastly, you could create a reflector on a hinge so you can control the bounce with the speed strap system. Its basically a plastic card, hinge, and piece of velcro.
    Canon Gear: 5D MkII, 30D, 85 1.2 L, 70-200 2.8 IS L, 17-40mm f4 L, 50 1.4, 580EX, 2x 580EXII, Canon 1.4x TC, 300 f4 IS L, 100mm 2.8 Macro, 100-400 IS L
    Other Gear: Olympus E-PL1, Pan 20 1.7, Fuji 3D Camera, Lensbaby 2.0, Tamron 28-75 2.8, Alien Bees lighting, CyberSyncs, Domke, HONL, FlipIt.
    ~ Gear Pictures
  • rpcrowerpcrowe Registered Users Posts: 733 Major grins
    edited September 17, 2009
    A thought....
    Unless you absolutely need the relatively small size and battery operation of the hotshoe flashes; why not equip yourself with "real" studio strobes instead of the make-do Strobist jury rigs.

    A set of decent studio strobes will actually be less expensive than setting up with several Canon or Nikon hotshoe strobes (al-la Strobist doctrine) and will certainly me better all-around lights.

    The real studio strobes can be easily and, usually fairly inexpensively, equipped with light modifiers.

    Using a softbox to soften light that has been concentrated by a hotshoe flash reflector is like freezing water before you boil it for tea. Most studio flashes have reflectors which can be removed when working with a softbox. The only hoshoe flash that has this capability is the great, but discontinues, Sunpak 120J.

    STUDIO STROBES WILL ALSO HAVE BUILT-IN MODELING LIGHTS!

    At a rock bottom price, a set of inexpensive studio type strobes will out-perform the Vivitar or Sunpak hot shoe flashes jury rigged into pseudo studio lights.
  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited September 17, 2009
    So how do you run your studio strobes outdoors? :D
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
  • JohnBiggsJohnBiggs Registered Users Posts: 841 Major grins
    edited September 17, 2009
    rpcrowe wrote:
    Unless you absolutely need the relatively small size and battery operation of the hotshoe flashes; why not equip yourself with "real" studio strobes instead of the make-do Strobist jury rigs.

    A set of decent studio strobes will actually be less expensive than setting up with several Canon or Nikon hotshoe strobes (al-la Strobist doctrine) and will certainly me better all-around lights.

    The real studio strobes can be easily and, usually fairly inexpensively, equipped with light modifiers.

    Using a softbox to soften light that has been concentrated by a hotshoe flash reflector is like freezing water before you boil it for tea. Most studio flashes have reflectors which can be removed when working with a softbox. The only hoshoe flash that has this capability is the great, but discontinues, Sunpak 120J.

    STUDIO STROBES WILL ALSO HAVE BUILT-IN MODELING LIGHTS!

    At a rock bottom price, a set of inexpensive studio type strobes will out-perform the Vivitar or Sunpak hot shoe flashes jury rigged into pseudo studio lights.

    Good thought, I already have them, thanks. As in my SIG I have two AB400 monolights, 1 AB800, 1 giant softbox, etc, etc.

    However when I use these, they tend to take up way too much space. And they have to be plugged in. They are also heavy and not what I consider portable.

    Lastly, I actually recommend $100 speedlights for the kind or work I'm doing. And the modifiers are typically $15-30. A softbox is easily $150+
    Canon Gear: 5D MkII, 30D, 85 1.2 L, 70-200 2.8 IS L, 17-40mm f4 L, 50 1.4, 580EX, 2x 580EXII, Canon 1.4x TC, 300 f4 IS L, 100mm 2.8 Macro, 100-400 IS L
    Other Gear: Olympus E-PL1, Pan 20 1.7, Fuji 3D Camera, Lensbaby 2.0, Tamron 28-75 2.8, Alien Bees lighting, CyberSyncs, Domke, HONL, FlipIt.
    ~ Gear Pictures
  • nickolainickolai Registered Users Posts: 2 Beginner grinner
    edited September 21, 2009
    JohnBiggs wrote:

    I have another idea for the snoot to also make it a little better than honl. If you cover more of the snoot with velcro on the output end the user could make the opening even smaller like a cone.

    I'd also like to see decent Gobos like honl, but cheaper. One side is bounce the other is black. Perhaps your snoot can do it all? The Honl sure can't.

    Lastly, you could create a reflector on a hinge so you can control the bounce with the speed strap system. Its basically a plastic card, hinge, and piece of velcro.

    @JohnBiggs
    Yeah, that makes sense to add more Velcro for mo' better control of the snoot. If you're up for it I'd love to see a sketch/pic of where you recommend the Velcro to be sewn. I'd be happy to send you a snoot with your Velcro recommendations once they’re produced.

    I haven't seen the gobo yet. Is it pretty rigid?

    Do you have a pic or sketch of the "hinge reflector"?

    @Manfr3d

    FYI- I'm working on a RSS feed. Also, "isc-photo" on eBay is me.
  • JohnBiggsJohnBiggs Registered Users Posts: 841 Major grins
    edited September 22, 2009
    nickolai wrote:
    @JohnBiggs
    Yeah, that makes sense to add more Velcro for mo' better control of the snoot. If you're up for it I'd love to see a sketch/pic of where you recommend the Velcro to be sewn. I'd be happy to send you a snoot with your Velcro recommendations once they’re produced.

    I haven't seen the gobo yet. Is it pretty rigid?

    Do you have a pic or sketch of the "hinge reflector"?

    Nickolai,

    PM me your email address and I'll send over some pics/sketches.
    Canon Gear: 5D MkII, 30D, 85 1.2 L, 70-200 2.8 IS L, 17-40mm f4 L, 50 1.4, 580EX, 2x 580EXII, Canon 1.4x TC, 300 f4 IS L, 100mm 2.8 Macro, 100-400 IS L
    Other Gear: Olympus E-PL1, Pan 20 1.7, Fuji 3D Camera, Lensbaby 2.0, Tamron 28-75 2.8, Alien Bees lighting, CyberSyncs, Domke, HONL, FlipIt.
    ~ Gear Pictures
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