Shape of the softbox
Nikolai
Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
Continuing from http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=81087...
I'm more or less settled on the lighting heads (Profoto Compact-R series).
Now the question is light modifiers, namely octagon vs rectangular softboxes.
Are there pros and cons on each one, or they are simply differently shaped and as such simply create defferent catlights? Considering people portraits applications (head and shoulder; upper torso; 3/4; full height), what is your experience with one or the other?
And for the extra credit, when/where do stripboxes to come in here?
TIA!
PS
I think I understand some basic lighting concepts, so apparently 1'x6" stripbox may be beneficial for a 3/4..full height to avoid light spilling to b/g, 3'x4' softbox could be the go to gadget fot the upper body portrait and a small octagon should be the best of regular head and shoulder portrait.
Is there something else? I mean I'd love to have them all, but they all pretty expensive, so I'd like to start with the one that covers most of my needs and add more special items later.
Currently in consideration (all profoto):
small: 1'x3' strip, 3'x4' soft, 3' octagon
large: 1'x6' strip, 4'x6' soft, 5' octagon
Intended for the primary compact-r 600w profoto head.
I'm more or less settled on the lighting heads (Profoto Compact-R series).
Now the question is light modifiers, namely octagon vs rectangular softboxes.
Are there pros and cons on each one, or they are simply differently shaped and as such simply create defferent catlights? Considering people portraits applications (head and shoulder; upper torso; 3/4; full height), what is your experience with one or the other?
And for the extra credit, when/where do stripboxes to come in here?
TIA!
PS
I think I understand some basic lighting concepts, so apparently 1'x6" stripbox may be beneficial for a 3/4..full height to avoid light spilling to b/g, 3'x4' softbox could be the go to gadget fot the upper body portrait and a small octagon should be the best of regular head and shoulder portrait.
Is there something else? I mean I'd love to have them all, but they all pretty expensive, so I'd like to start with the one that covers most of my needs and add more special items later.
Currently in consideration (all profoto):
small: 1'x3' strip, 3'x4' soft, 3' octagon
large: 1'x6' strip, 4'x6' soft, 5' octagon
Intended for the primary compact-r 600w profoto head.
"May the f/stop be with you!"
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Comments
So far I have 3 softboxes, 2 - 36" square and one 24" x 36". I can "stack" the two 36" boxes to get something like a 36" x 72".
I also use convertible umbrellas and would probably use a shoot-through umbrella instead of an octagon softbox becasue there is a more significant difference in the type of light they produce.
If you prefer circular catch lights then you might want to use octagons where they are visible. Otherwise, positioned on the side of the subject as key kights I doubt thet you would see much difference between an ocatgon and a square softbox because a square softbox tends to lose a bit of light in the corners of the box, forming a shape fairly similar to an octagon.
I prefer rectangular and square catch lights because they more closely look like "window" catch light reflections. So for fill lights I use square and rectangular.
Travelling light, I tend to just use umbrellas. I have been experimenting with diffusors over the front to simulate something like a "Photek Softlighter". Jury is still out on that experiment.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
thank you very much for your insight!
My primary need for the soft box is as the main light, not the key (where, as you pointed out, shape don't mean much).
I also do have a whole bunch of 3' umbrellas, both reflecting and shoot-through.
Size wise: is the main disadvantage of 4'x6' vs 3'x4' is simply its cost and large dimensions, meaning it's more hassle to handle?
Or it's too big for 600w strobe, or it's too big for, say, headshot portrait.
The thing is - at this point I can oly afford ONE, so I wonder which one would give me the most bang for the buck...
I own a Profoto Acute2 kit and it is great to work with, but some of the Profoto extras are very expensive.
I use Photoflex softboxes and I work with several photographers who use Photoflex and a few who use Chimera. Everyone has rectangle boxes, strip and octagons are a little more specialized. I would like to get an Octogon one of these days, but I have a lot of other items I would like first.
I would look for a 3x4 or 2x3 box to start, especially for a headshot.
I was lucky enough to try both Profoto and Chimera products in the same room at the same time (Thanks, ChatKat!).
The difference in quality was huge...
I have never tried Photoflex, so I simply don't know....
Fair enough. Photoflex will probably feel about the same as Chimera.
I have a few Photoflex pieces - and Nik saw my Chimera and Profoto. I bought the Profoto Softboxes as part of a kit and I am not unhappy with the Chimera - but the quality of the Profoto is exceptional. The Photoflex is okay starter stuff. I feel (- My opinion only) that I'd have worn out the Photoflex and replaced it several times before the Profoto had even shown any wear and tear. Compare the Photoflex to a Volkswagen, the Chimera to an Audi and the Profoto to a Porsche or BMW...
Flash Frozen Photography, Inc.
http://flashfrozenphotography.com
I personally like rectangular boxes for the window-like properties they give. Also, they are easier to feather for a full body shot. With a round modifier you can never get the light to feather evenly. At least I can't...
Also I think 600 watts would be fine in a 4x6, but you might be hitting it with full power alot.
HTH, and congrats on the new lights!
Thank you for the good info!
I am getting 3'x4' now and I think eventually I will up the ante with 4'x6' and 1200w - but that will be next time
OK, I finally stopped procrastinating and pushed the "Submit" button :-)
Getting Profoto Compact-R 300/600 Value pack (it also comes with 2 stands and 2 umbrellas) plus Profoto 3'x4' softbox (speedring also ordered). Softbox should arrive next week, the lights are on special order (I knew that) and will take two more weeks (hopefully)
Considering my two existing 555AutoEX sunpak units I'm gonna have 4 lights total!
And, of course, my photofunds are almost totally depleted now, so I better get some paying customers faaaaast
I also realized a nice fact that I can easily transform my 3x4 softbox into 1x4 strip by simply covering the sides with some non-transparent fabric. Naturally I'll waste power, but for now I can easily cope with that.
In fact I'm thinking of making two 1x4 flat pieces which I'll be able to use as the said cover, barn doors or simply remove them (the softbox has a recessed front with velcro all around - one of the advantages of the profoto!).
Sounds like a nice DIY project for one of the coming weekends
Nik,
If you cover the flaps with a highly reflective material you can diminish the light loss to a fair degree. The reflected light will simply reenter the box and bounce around until it emits through the part of the diffusor that is open.
Better yet would be internal flaps so that you could redirect the light before it goes through the outside diffusor.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Ziggy,
you're a well of good ideas!
I like the idea of the reflective flaps. Then I can simply invert them if I need tham as the external barn doors :ivar I think I will get one or two windshield covers and play with them.
As to the internal ones - this means I'd have to loose the internal baffle. Maybe not a big deal, but I am very fond of the light quality this double diffusing creates and would hate to lose it of. But it's good to have in mind!
Thanks again!
That's an interesting thought....I have grids on my wishlist. They really add to the impact too.
Flash Frozen Photography, Inc.
http://flashfrozenphotography.com
I'm also interested in them, but at this point I don't see an easy way to DIY them
and am happy with the quality. Not to mention, they're a local business for me
(located in Watsonville, CA).
I've used their large rectangular softbox too. It goes together easily and works
pretty well.
As for the grid, that'd be very nice addition and well worth the extra cost.
Nik -
Have you talked Kathy about renting time in her space, including equipment use? I have absolutely no idea what your needs are, but that could be a win-win.
-Fleetwood Mac
I might consider renting the space - but not the lights or modifiers.
That was an agreement that my DH made with me about buying my stuff. Must be a male territoral thing
Flash Frozen Photography, Inc.
http://flashfrozenphotography.com
My profoto 3x4 softbox and the speedring arrived today. The lights (600R and 300R) hasn't been shipped yet, but even until they come I can probably use my sunpacks to play with it:-) :ivar
Nik - Congrats! May that softbox earn you enough for a 1mk3ds...and more.
Flash Frozen Photography, Inc.
http://flashfrozenphotography.com
thanks!
Lol
May your wish come true
If you could elaborate on this I'd appreciate it. Do you mean the quality of light, or the physical quality of the box itself? I currently have a 2400ws speedotron setup with a 3'x4' softbox and I want to get a 4'x6'. Its for a static studio so I don't expect to be tearing it down daily if at all. I don't see that profoto has a speed ring for speedotron which may make it a moot issue, but I'm curious as to the differences, other than the $240.
Fabric and Seams are better constructed but the quality of light is also a bit better too. There is nothing wrong with Chimera. I have both. Depending on what I am shooting, I will use them both.
Kinda like comparing Old Navy Jeans to Gap Jeans and Levi Jeans. Fabric, Seams and quality!
Flash Frozen Photography, Inc.
http://flashfrozenphotography.com
Of course the difference there is that the Jeans all cost about the same. Chimera doesn't make an XLARGE box that I can see, so my choices are the Calumet Illuma ($289 + $79 for quick release speedring) or Photoflex Multi-dome ($349 + $49). The advantage of the multidome is the gold/silver/white interior options, while the Calumet is a bit narrower (25" vs 32")
Yet there is also an old (Russian) saying "you don't have to finish the egg to figure out it's been spoiled". When I just handled Chimera and Profoto softboxes (well, technically Chimera was a strip, but it doesn't matter much, does it?)... it really felt like Geo vs Cadillac.
Of course there is a price difference, and often a substantial one, but... Hey, as a local Mercedes radio ad says: "(Here in SoCal) you gotta love what you drive". So I say: you gotta love what you shoot with (be it a camera, a lens or a light/diffuser...)
HTH
Thats true for Cars, couches, mattresses and Televisions. As for light modifiers, I need it to diffuse light, and that's about it.
Tastes differ, you know.. Call me a snob, but if I don't like a piece of gear, I won't use it. And in such a creative business as photography it makes a huge difference. Just IMHO, of course.
photography is about results. But I only have a choice between Calumet and PhotoFlex, because they are the only ones who have a speed ring for my flash heads.
"Here in SoCal you gotta like what you do/drive/shoot with/etc."
So then why do you shoot with a 30D instead of a 5D? The camera is a lot more important that softbox construction.
Second - I also happen to like it, a lot.
And last but no least - I am slowly but surely coming to an understanding that the quality of light is WAY more important than the quality of the camera body (luckily I have passed the milestone of understanding the importance of the glass over the body a couple years ago:-)