Coming soon: Alien bees foldable softbox
I don't have any thing Alien Bees, but I hear lots of good stuff here on OSP. I like that big rectangle one. (I want to mimick window light.)
Wait for this, or do you recommend something else? Is a foldable softbox asking for trouble?
Full Version: I need a softbox
I use alien bees in my studio, and while I think their lights are great, I think their light modifiers are just so-so (and their stands are just plain bad). I have the 30x60 softbox that I use regularly and the light it produces is nice, I'm not particularly impressed by the build quality. Their stands are sturdy, but are a pain to adjust, I like calumet stands better.
For the price, I am pleased, but I am not ruling out upgrading eventually. I personally would stay away from the umbrella type as they seem to be asking for trouble.
As for mimicking window light, feel free to hunt around my website (all the studio shots were done with the (most were done with the 30x60) or check out my blog for a recent session that I used the 30x60 on. (Image 2 uses the 30x60 as main, Image 1 uses shoot through umbrella)
tim
For the price, I am pleased, but I am not ruling out upgrading eventually. I personally would stay away from the umbrella type as they seem to be asking for trouble.
As for mimicking window light, feel free to hunt around my website (all the studio shots were done with the (most were done with the 30x60) or check out my blog for a recent session that I used the 30x60 on. (Image 2 uses the 30x60 as main, Image 1 uses shoot through umbrella)
tim
oh that is exciting. I love my bee's and I would love to have a foldable kind to take along for onlocation shoots. Especially newborns. Looks like they are trying to get theirs to look similar to the westscotts or softlighters. I am all for it. I have right now a large alien bee softbox and love it!
Also have a couple of umbrellas.
Also have a couple of umbrellas.
After reading AKS post, I think I should update my avatar. Perhaps a more cheery one would lend to a more optimistic outlook on things 
I should just say, they do work well:) I keep catching myself being perhaps a little TOO authoritative:)
I should just say, they do work well:) I keep catching myself being perhaps a little TOO authoritative:)
The Alien Bee light modifiers are really cheaply made. The best light modifiers in the business are made by Larson Enterprises. I have some of their soft boxes and reflectors that are older than most of the photographers here in OSP and they are still in excellent shape. All metal (aluminum) construction and quality non-yellowing fabrics.
I highly recomend their products. If you order a soft box you also need to order the backplate that fits your flash unit. What is nice is that if you ever change flashes you just order new backplates.
http://www.larson-ent.com/products_list.php?cat_id=278
Rick
I highly recomend their products. If you order a soft box you also need to order the backplate that fits your flash unit. What is nice is that if you ever change flashes you just order new backplates.
http://www.larson-ent.com/products_list.php?cat_id=278
Rick
Thanks for the input everybody. I've had my order form sitting up on my screen (to order a softbox from b&h, not the foldable one) for DAYS but desperately waiting for some input on some of the best kinds, or input on ones to avoid.
Zack seems to like Westcott, but B&H is always sold out.
Ok, stupid question here: what exactly is a speedring and how do I know which one I would need.
One more: If I have a sturdy light stand (one of the ones Zack loves) and an umbrella bracket, gosh this sounds so, um, like I don't know what I'm doing. Um, so, do I put the softbox with the speedring thingie on the umbrella bracket on the light stand????
THANKS again for always being willing to help me on this stuff. Believe it or not, I AM learning a LOT. I love OSP.
Zack seems to like Westcott, but B&H is always sold out.
Ok, stupid question here: what exactly is a speedring and how do I know which one I would need.
One more: If I have a sturdy light stand (one of the ones Zack loves) and an umbrella bracket, gosh this sounds so, um, like I don't know what I'm doing. Um, so, do I put the softbox with the speedring thingie on the umbrella bracket on the light stand????
THANKS again for always being willing to help me on this stuff. Believe it or not, I AM learning a LOT. I love OSP.
It would be helpful to know what flash or strobe you are attaching the softbox to.
Jules,
Westcott makes a line of softboxes, The Apollo, that do not use speedrings. They open like umbrellas. This is what Zack uses because they are fast to set up on location and they work with umbrella brackets. Your flash is actually inside the softbox, and the box attaches to the rig via the umbrella shaft.
I have a couple of 28" Apollos, and I like them on location. The light is reflected from the back of the box then out through the front. The light is nice and even across the surface.
You can use Apollos with studio lights, too, if you have the adapter rod, or if your light is small enough to fit inside the box. Alien Bees are small enough and I use them this way when on location. Makes for a fast to assemble and easy to carry rig.
A regular softbox uses a speedring to attach to a studio light. Some very small ones can be used with shoe flashes via an adapter, but the big ones are too heavy.
A speedring is a fitting that allows a softbox to be adapted to pretty much any studio light on the market. The side that attaches to the softbox is the same, but the end that attaches to the light is different depending on what brand of light you are using. From what I can tell, the new Alien Bee boxes will have the speedring built in, and they will not be adaptable to other lights.
When a softbox is attached via a speedring, the light goes into an opening on the apex of the box. There is a mechanism on the light that grips the ring, and holds the box in place. The box can rotate on this ring and be used in pretty much any orientation. The light fires directly through the front panel, so an interior panel is often needed to make the light spread evenly across the front.
Westcott makes a line of softboxes, The Apollo, that do not use speedrings. They open like umbrellas. This is what Zack uses because they are fast to set up on location and they work with umbrella brackets. Your flash is actually inside the softbox, and the box attaches to the rig via the umbrella shaft.
I have a couple of 28" Apollos, and I like them on location. The light is reflected from the back of the box then out through the front. The light is nice and even across the surface.
You can use Apollos with studio lights, too, if you have the adapter rod, or if your light is small enough to fit inside the box. Alien Bees are small enough and I use them this way when on location. Makes for a fast to assemble and easy to carry rig.
A regular softbox uses a speedring to attach to a studio light. Some very small ones can be used with shoe flashes via an adapter, but the big ones are too heavy.
A speedring is a fitting that allows a softbox to be adapted to pretty much any studio light on the market. The side that attaches to the softbox is the same, but the end that attaches to the light is different depending on what brand of light you are using. From what I can tell, the new Alien Bee boxes will have the speedring built in, and they will not be adaptable to other lights.
When a softbox is attached via a speedring, the light goes into an opening on the apex of the box. There is a mechanism on the light that grips the ring, and holds the box in place. The box can rotate on this ring and be used in pretty much any orientation. The light fires directly through the front panel, so an interior panel is often needed to make the light spread evenly across the front.
QUOTE(trobison @ February 28 2007, 09:03 PM) [snapback]87979[/snapback]
It would be helpful to know what flash or strobe you are attaching the softbox to.
Sunpak 120j.
I'm using pocket wizards.
(But I still have to order a cord that will connect the Sunpak to the pw.)
QUOTE(Hassel @ February 28 2007, 09:27 PM) [snapback]87992[/snapback]
Jules,
Westcott makes a line of softboxes, The Apollo, that do not use speedrings. They open like umbrellas. This is what Zack uses because they are fast to set up on location and they work with umbrella brackets. Your flash is actually inside the softbox, and the box attaches to the rig via the umbrella shaft.
I have a couple of 28" Apollos, and I like them on location. The light is reflected from the back of the box then out through the front. The light is nice and even across the surface.
You can use Apollos with studio lights, too, if you have the adapter rod, or if your light is small enough to fit inside the box. Alien Bees are small enough and I use them this way when on location. Makes for a fast to assemble and easy to carry rig.
A regular softbox uses a speedring to attach to a studio light. Some very small ones can be used with shoe flashes via an adapter, but the big ones are too heavy.
A speedring is a fitting that allows a softbox to be adapted to pretty much any studio light on the market. The side that attaches to the softbox is the same, but the end that attaches to the light is different depending on what brand of light you are using. From what I can tell, the new Alien Bee boxes will have the speedring built in, and they will not be adaptable to other lights.
When a softbox is attached via a speedring, the light goes into an opening on the apex of the box. There is a mechanism on the light that grips the ring, and holds the box in place. The box can rotate on this ring and be used in pretty much any orientation. The light fires directly through the front panel, so an interior panel is often needed to make the light spread evenly across the front.
Westcott makes a line of softboxes, The Apollo, that do not use speedrings. They open like umbrellas. This is what Zack uses because they are fast to set up on location and they work with umbrella brackets. Your flash is actually inside the softbox, and the box attaches to the rig via the umbrella shaft.
I have a couple of 28" Apollos, and I like them on location. The light is reflected from the back of the box then out through the front. The light is nice and even across the surface.
You can use Apollos with studio lights, too, if you have the adapter rod, or if your light is small enough to fit inside the box. Alien Bees are small enough and I use them this way when on location. Makes for a fast to assemble and easy to carry rig.
A regular softbox uses a speedring to attach to a studio light. Some very small ones can be used with shoe flashes via an adapter, but the big ones are too heavy.
A speedring is a fitting that allows a softbox to be adapted to pretty much any studio light on the market. The side that attaches to the softbox is the same, but the end that attaches to the light is different depending on what brand of light you are using. From what I can tell, the new Alien Bee boxes will have the speedring built in, and they will not be adaptable to other lights.
When a softbox is attached via a speedring, the light goes into an opening on the apex of the box. There is a mechanism on the light that grips the ring, and holds the box in place. The box can rotate on this ring and be used in pretty much any orientation. The light fires directly through the front panel, so an interior panel is often needed to make the light spread evenly across the front.
Lots of good info in here. Wow, thanks!
QUOTE(trobison @ February 28 2007, 09:51 PM) [snapback]87925[/snapback]
After reading AKS post, I think I should update my avatar. Perhaps a more cheery one would lend to a more optimistic outlook on things
I should just say, they do work well:) I keep catching myself being perhaps a little TOO authoritative:)
I should just say, they do work well:) I keep catching myself being perhaps a little TOO authoritative:)
Youre funny!
I guess I tend to have an overly positive outlook on life.....
Try Tallyns, they have a brand called Aurora. I recommend a 4'x6' silver light box. They are the closest thing to Larson you can get, top quality construction, light is fabulous. You can get two of their boxes for the price of one Larson. I recommend them for sure....
As far as mimicing window light. That's a really tough task. It's not easy.... You have to have a huge light source, usually the size of a wall. And you have to have a weak fill light to help out as well. Window light is so hard to replicate, that its the reason why some studios have a natural light shooting room.....
good luck with everything....
As far as mimicing window light. That's a really tough task. It's not easy.... You have to have a huge light source, usually the size of a wall. And you have to have a weak fill light to help out as well. Window light is so hard to replicate, that its the reason why some studios have a natural light shooting room.....
good luck with everything....
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