The softbox tag has no wiki summary.
18
votes
3answers
2k views
Are small on-flash softboxes useful, or a gimmick?
There are a number of "mini-softbox" products on the market. These are meant to mount on a hotshoe flash (usually with an elastic band).
Lumiquest Softbox III
Are these worthwhile portable and ...
16
votes
3answers
591 views
What is the difference between a softbox and a shoot-through umbrella?
As far as I can see, using shoot-through umbrellas is slightly cheaper than using softboxes.
Would I give up anything if I went with umbrellas?
Would it make any difference to the images I create?
14
votes
5answers
12k views
What are the best and worst diffuser materials for DIY softbox/light tent?
There are hundreds of web sites with tips of building a DYI soft box or light tent, and it looks like people are using almost anything as the diffuser material, from white plastic bags to old ...
11
votes
2answers
1k views
How does an octobox differ from a rectangular softbox?
Octoboxes and more-typical rectangular softboxes appear to have similar structure and function. How do they differ, and when would you use one over the other?
10
votes
3answers
827 views
How does grid depth determine beam angle?
I just got a 28" Westcott Apollo softbox. They don't sell a grid/egg crate for it, so I'd like to create my own, similar to this.
My understanding is that the deeper the grid, the narrower the angle ...
9
votes
6answers
2k views
How do I build my own soft-box light for illuminating still or stop-motion scenes?
I am working on a small stop-motion video project, although I am sure this kind of lighting will work for individual still shots as well. I need some kind of broad, bright, continuous lighting that ...
8
votes
2answers
578 views
Why diffuse a softbox?
I just read "Lessons Learned on The Flash Bus Tour" and saw this image. In it, an assistant is holding some sort of white shoot-through diffuser (I got a similar one in my 5-in-one reflector kit) ...
8
votes
1answer
272 views
How do I compare a continuous light panel's brightness vs. flash through a softbox?
I've been following recent developments in light-emitting capacitor technology with interest. This new technology produces a complete-spectrum light (like sunlight or incandescents), instead of the ...
4
votes
4answers
781 views
How to gel a large softbox to match ambient
I'm searching suggestions to quickly and easily add a gel to color correct light from a giant softbox to match ambient. In my application I'm using a CTO for tungsten ambient.
The equipment I'm ...
3
votes
2answers
203 views
Using an umbrella type softbox and light quality
When using an umbrella type softbox (a softbox that opens like an umbrella like this one) used with a cobra flash or a light bulb that is INSIDE the softbox :
does the tripod tube and the light ...
2
votes
2answers
480 views
Soft boxes vs umbrellas, pros and cons
I won't ask which is better, as that is highly subjective. I know that reflective umbrellas can spill more light in close quarters, and are more easily caught by a gust of wind, but are cheap and ...
2
votes
1answer
176 views
Optimal flash settings for macro photography (Nikon SB-900 + softbox)
I'm using a Nikon SB-900 along with a softbox when photographing macro (1:1).
What I would like to know is what flash mode that would fit this setup best. Should i simply set it to "M" and adjust it ...
1
vote
1answer
110 views
What does “Open-N-Use” mean?
In the description of a softbox kit it says "Open-N-Use as studio umbrella. More convenient than traditional soft box." What does that mean exactly?
Here's the product
...
1
vote
1answer
120 views
What can you accomplish portrait-wise with a small softbox? [duplicate]
What are the most effective ways in which one would utilize a small softbox; the most effective use-cases really that you'd recommend for it? For argument's sake let's call it 8"x9" (20cm X 23cm) in ...
1
vote
1answer
308 views
Pop up flash & softbox headlight unit
I'm very new to flash photography.
Just recently bought a softbox kit and I'm not quite sure how to use the built-in flash on the headlight unit. The sales person tells me that it has a light sensor ...
0
votes
1answer
179 views
Softbox selection for my hobby room
My hobby room is a fairly standard room size, say 3x3M. The lighting isn't that great which doesn't help when I take photo's or record videos of projects etc.
I have a softbox that I use for ...
