Softboxes and stands - What (exactly) is required?

This has been annoying me for ages, and Google isn't helping.

I was looking at Thecageyone's thread a few weeks back about a cheap enough set up he put together that he got off Amazon. Light stand, umbrella and mount;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Photography-Light-professional-studio-photolamps/dp/B0011363NS

Three of them together seems okay, pricewise.


However, I don't like the idea of the ould umbrella, but I do want to get playing with a softbox set up.

So I was looking at the extortionate prices on Amazon (certainly won't be planning to be spending in the hundreds for something that's most likely easier and cheaper to produce than a pair of pants) but I eventually found an ebay one with a "universal mount":


http://cgi.ebay.ie/Photo-Studio-Softbox-20-x27-50x70cm-Universal-Mount-/120643382174?pt=UK_Photography_StudioEquipment_RL&hash=item1c16e7eb9e


Now, I was pretty much just about to buy both setups when I realised I wasn't fully sure if they could be used together, or what's required to actually get a softbox onto a lightstand/flashgun.

So here I am. Hours of Googleing, boards searching and youtubing later, still without an answer (and almost completely put off buying them at all).


I was originally planning on just buying one of those cheapo studio set ups that seem to come with everything at a great price;

http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400124214028&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT


But I've always been suspicious of them being "too cheap" (and not portable).



So I was wondering if anyone here could tell me; if I want to take photos of someone with a softbox, and all I already own is a flashgun, what exactly do I need to buy?

Seems like a fairly common, simple question, but for the life of me, I can't seem to figure it out.

Cheers to anyone able to help.

Thecageyone

The umbrella is alright, bit delicate though. Mine has fallen over a couple of times and is a little bent out of shape, but they're so cheap I don't care too much. Been looking at softboxes too, from what I've read around, they give a softer, more even light. The brolly, at least the shoot through ones, direct the light a bit harsher. Though you can get reflective ones that spread it a little more.

Look for softboxes that come with a bracket for light stands.

WheresMyCamera?

Watch from 2 minutes in to answer your questions. Watch all of the video anyway though!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKAD7leNOVY

Also See here Strobist Lighting 101

Hugh_C

'Fraid I can't help you about your mount but I can offer an opinion ...

The softbox is a bit more "directional" than an umbrella in that there's less photons bouncing all over the shop before it hits your subject. I'm using a softbox fairly consistently now in preference to an umbrella. Used with a reflector you can make stuff which looks like this fairly easily :

retro by Hugh_C, on Flickr

(so buy yourself a reflector, cheap as chips, or just use a piece of poly board)

.

Just to clarify, I know what an umbrella and softbox do. Although I don't own a light stand, umbrella, etc. I have a fair idea how they work together and such.

It's just trying to figure out how a softbox actually attaches to a lightstand is what has me confused. I know there's a circular shaped thingy that goes behind the softbox. Each corner of the box goes through this circular mount, and helps the softbox create its shape. But how does the softbox actually get onto the lightstand/sit in front of the flash (without just falling off, or such).

I'm assuming the box doesn't just sit on the head of the flash, as the flash wouldn't be able to support the weight, so i'm thinking maybe a whole different special softbox mount is required to put on top of the lightstand?


WheresmyCamera, I've seen that video before (may have been you who showed me it?) but it only covers umbrella lighting, which I already understand the set up of (theoretically).


Maybe I'm just wording my question really badly?

oshead

Have a look at this ad on Adverts that I saw tonight. Looks like a good enough deal. http://www.adverts.ie/camera-accessories/60x60cm-portable-softbox-for-speedlite-ezybox-type/413487

Thecageyone

Deleted User wrote: »

Just to clarify, I know what an umbrella and softbox do. Although I don't own a light stand, umbrella, etc. I have a fair idea how they work together and such.

It's just trying to figure out how a softbox actually attaches to a lightstand is what has me confused. I know there's a circular shaped thingy that goes behind the softbox. Each corner of the box goes through this circular mount, and helps the softbox create its shape. But how does the softbox actually get onto the lightstand/sit in front of the flash (without just falling off, or such).

I'm assuming the box doesn't just sit on the head of the flash, as the flash wouldn't be able to support the weight, so i'm thinking maybe a whole different special softbox mount is required to put on top of the lightstand?


WheresmyCamera, I've seen that video before (may have been you who showed me it?) but it only covers umbrella lighting, which I already understand the set up of (theoretically).


Maybe I'm just wording my question really badly?

You need a bracket that attaches to the lightstand, the bracket will hold the flash too.

As for which does what, you probably have a much better idea than I do, what I said above is really the extent of my knowledge on them. I just know what I think looks good [lighting wise on subject] when setting up for a shot

The image on this one clearly shows the bracket that attaches to the stand:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/EZ-Fold-Softbox-Diffuser-portable-speedlites/dp/B002W9G8VM/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1295659686&sr=1-4

You can see the flash unit shoe on top

Thecageyone

oshead wrote: »

Have a look at this ad on Adverts that I saw tonight. Looks like a good enough deal. http://www.adverts.ie/camera-accessories/60x60cm-portable-softbox-for-speedlite-ezybox-type/413487

Actually eyed that up myself earlier as I just sold a battery grip, but collect in Maynooth put me off as I've no transport. Looks alright.

stcstc

I have a westscott apollo softbox, which actually attaches to the light stand using the brolley bracket

but for example the lastolite ones have a special bracket and speed ring attachment

Kazujo

The softbox you linked to on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Photo-Studio-Soft...item1c16e7eb9e

Is universal fitting for studio lights so you have to find or make some form for adaptor use with a speedlite.

I splashed out on a lastolite Ezybox last year and am very happy with it.

Cheers cagey! That picture showed exactly what I couldn't figure out.


So I suppose the question I have now (there's always another one!), how do you know if a softbox is made for studio strobes or a flashgun?

Can't seem to figure out how Kazujo knew that. I'd have bought it for my flashgun without even thinking of a studio flash.


This seems like a decent starter kit for a good price;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Portable-SoftBox-50cm-Speedlight-Flash-Light-Stand-/120643385840?pt=UK_Photography_StudioEquipment_RL&hash=item1c16e7f9f0


Anyone able to see any immediate faults with it? Would I be right in saying that a 20"x20" softbox would only be useful for headshots? You'd need to go bigger for upper body and full body?

A.Partridge

This is another very nice softbox which I think would perhaps be more suitable for your portable flash and maybe a little more wind resistant if you were using it outdoors:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400169465584&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I know it's a little dearer but I think it is neater than an ezybox as the flash is contained within the box and can be pointed at the foil covered back of the softbox if you really want to get extra softness.

Youtube video here shows how it is used:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz-P4FIlX3s

Kazujo

The "universal mount" in the picture is called a speed ring which fits onto the studio lights, it has not bracket to hold a flash gun. Plus most of the strobie style softbox are collapsible where as that one appears to be the studio style like this:

http://www.owens-originals.com/SOFTBOXES/ASSEMBLY/SOFTBOX%20ASSEMBLY.html

The one that A.Partridge linked looks very similar to the Lastolite one, the only difference I can see other that the design of the bracket is that the Lastolite has a second diffusion screen which softens the light even more.

To be honest, I think I might go with this;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110607737091


It's a square box, like the one I linked to above, but it seems to also include a stand and any other mounts or such I might need. Seems a good starting point, anyway.

The octagonal softbox seems pretty cool, and I like the idea of circular catchlights in the eyes and such, but I think I'd like to just start at the start and work my way up to those kinda things when I realise the limitations of regular softboxes and such, if you see where I'm coming from.


Will also need some wireless triggers/receviers, too, I believe.

Thecageyone

For the outside the box mounts any old cheap wireless triggers will do the job nicely up to a fair distance [think the ones I bought for €18 will fire up to 30m] - For inside the box most prefer to use the radio triggers/receivers like pocket wizards, as the trigger doesn't need to 'see' the receiver. But they are expensive.

Kazujo

The cheap radio triggers work fine inside the softbox too as they don't need line of sight. It's only something like the canon ste-02 that needs line of sight. Which can be quite frustrating.

Thecageyone

My cheap triggers fire from the next room, and at a good distance using a brolly. I've not tested them with a softbox but I've heard they can miss fire now and then, because the signal gets blocked a lot easier than say, PW's.

SusieQue

http://www.hawksphotovideo.co.uk/strobie_adaptors/Interfit_Strobies_XS_Bracket_plus_Softbox_plus_Stand_Kit_INT327

Recently got this this bracket, interfit stand & softbox combination which is quite sturdy! The softbox itself is quite small but will do the job for now as I like doing head & shoulder shots anyway. The bracket is an 'S' type mount which allows you to connect your Hotshoe flashgun to almost any “S” type fitting light shaping tools such as soft boxes, beauty dishes, snoots, barndoor sets and spill kill reflectors etc.

I've recently bought another intefit stand from these guys too. They're very sturdy & tall & is 'air-damped' (as is the one that comes in the set), which means that if you forget to tighten any section with your light mounted, the light slowly descends, thanks to the air-cushioning of this stand. This useful feature saves equipment, and fingers from harm during busy photo sessions.

Anyway, hope that helps

Susie:)

SusieQue

BTW, this is an iamge of the bracket

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Interfit-Strobies-XS-Bracket-INT326/dp/B002X6XE0C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1295814090&sr=1-1

photomunkey

Only seeing this thread now but I got one of these and highly recommend them as a slightly cheaper alternantive to the Lastolite EZbox

http://www.barkerphotographic.ie/products.php?id=1429&cat=54