I'm looking into getting a large softbox or brolly box for shooting portraits (bridal and boudoir, maybe maternity and baby too). This would be my first time buying a real strobe and accesories, though I've worked with them before. I am currently looking at Alien Bees; either buying an AB or 2 strobe(s) and getting the modifiers from them too, or just buying the modifiers and a speed ring to fit my Qflash. Also possibly looking into other brands like lumedyne, white lighting, etc. if I can find a good deal on them used.

Brolly boxes seem to be cheaper and easier to set up--but what is the real difference in light and usability between them and a regular square softbox? Is the light just as soft? Are there less options for customizing and focusing the light (ie egg crates, etc) with a brolly? what about efficiency?

Also, can I use my Pocket Wizards with pretty much all strobe brands? Do they all have PC ports?

Thanks!

yes, you can use your pocket wizzards. You will need to get a new cord to link your PW to your alien bees.

As far as the light goes, The brolly works... but the soft box is a much nicer softer light. I have both. The brolly is nice for traveling, but I would rather use the soft box for quality.

+1 We bring brollys to weddings, and use softboxes in the studio

Thanks guys.

Hey Lauren!
This is a great question. I'm looking for questions like this to talk about stuff on my new blog. I just made a post about the two different modifiers there...

www.zarias.com

AS for what kind of lights? All the ones you listed are good products. I would suggest rocking your qflash to start since you already have that and it's a great light. AB's, white lightning, etc, etc are good options when you find you aren't getting enough light from your qflash or you want continuous power from the wall and a modeling light. Otherwise, that qflash will do you right for most shooting situations.

And yes, you can use Pocket Wizards on just about everything as long as you have the right sync cord.

Cheers,
Zack

PS - congrats on the WPJA ranking!

Get a soft box that is recessed.
This way you can control or direct the light.

My 2¢

-Christobal

Thanks Zack and Christobal! Cool post Zack--that helped a LOT. Ok so I already have umbrellas to use for groups or situations where falloff is not a problem--therefore I am definitely getting a softbox. I am thinking around 28"+ to start. I want something big enough so I dont have to be right up on the subject, but not so big as to be impractical for location shooting, or for my assistant to hand hold (or at least reposition easily).

Re: the westcott apollos--this would be a great solution as I could use it with both the Qflash and the 580EX (with radiopopper in broad daylight for hi speed sync). My question about them is primarily to do with positioning--since they sit on the stand like an umbrella and partly cover the top of the stand and the flash, do you find it hard or impossible to angle or tilt them very far beyond straight up and down? What if my subject is sitting on the ground and I want the light to come from slightly above them--can I just tilt the umbrella bracket like I normally would at a 45 deg. angle or would I need an assistant to actually hold the light and stand/monopod straight out and above them?

Hope this is making sense.

PS Thanks re: the WPJA thing!

PPS also, zack do you find it difficult or a pain to adjust settings on your flash with the apollo softboxes, because you have to basically open up the back of the softbox to get in there and press the buttons?

Oh yeah and one more thing--I already have the small Chimera softbox (16x16 I think) and the speed ring for that which attaches right onto the Qflash. This is the kind of speed ring where the softbox has bendy metal supports on all 4 corners, and you bend them to put them into the holes of the speed ring which then goes onto the Qflash in place of the parabolic reflector that it comes with. Does this mean I could get any other size Chimera softbox and attach it to the same speed ring? Or other brands?

i have a bowens wafer, 100 x 80 - i love the softbox much better - if you go with a softbox, make sure you get one that is large enough, or you will regret it later!