2 photographic softboxes compared

2 very different photographic lighting softboxes compared

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• softbox
• photographiclighting
• studiolighting

[Photolearncouk]

Basically more clearly define shadows, which provides better edge definition.

Umbrellas (or at least shoot through ones) just produce a very soft light that scatters all over the place and reduces contrast

[rmstudio]

That is not a fair comparison. First the light is brighter in the round one because the flash tube is closer to the front panel.. The unit is much "Shallower" than the Chimera. 2nd It has a "Reflective" silver interior.. Big difference in that!.. 3rd I can tell you the round throws more light out but its also not as "Soft" as the Chimera.. Poor way to compare the 2 boxes.

[Photolearncouk]

It isn't designed to be a true comparison - that would require softboxes of identical size. The whole purpose of the exercise was to examine whether cheap softboxes are worth buying.

The Chimera design is better because the inner baffle goes right to the edge, and the outer baffle is much thicker - the question is, do these differences justify 10x the cost?

[Photolearncouk]

Also, Your comment that there is a big difference between the amount of light produced by a white and a silver interior is wrong. I have Chimera softboxes in both versions and the difference is only 1/5th stop.

The big advantage of the Chimera is not in the softness of the light, it's in the crispness, which makes clothes look much more expensive when used for fashion shoots...

[andrewbigwood1]

@nyambe

I do agree with this issue - the big advantage with for example, Elinchrom rotalux softboxes, is that they set-up so easily and quickly - especially on location. I'm always looking for set-up time as well as light quality whether it's a studio or location shoot.

[angryalien100]

Do you mind telling me the make Octa Box you have there... I liked the vid the by the way...

[ne0rotic]

I appreciate your comparison. 

[nyambe]

Great comparison. I have the cheap octa, nice beautiful light, but too even. Makes it too flat indoors. got to try it outdoors. The cheap octa is a nightmare to set up. I mean 20 minutes of fighting the rods.

[wondnaereh]

Rice Crispies are my favorite cereal, but they are in no way sharp! WHAT'S WITH YOUR ADJECTIVES?

[elviscritic]

A very good video.basically you need to purchase the right gear for the job in hand small strobes are convenient for portable work and can yield great results if you understand about controlling light exposure and use manual settings .soft boxes are ace in studio setups .but they are only as good as the light source used and chinese studio lights are rubbish compromise yields good ,quality yields excellence ,knowledge yields masterpieces .A good photographer can take an ace picture on crap gear.

[Prophit7]

What do you mean crispness? How does it make it crisper? Do you mean Crisper is Sharper? I'm about to buy some new box's I use umbrella ones but wonder if the softboxs are worth the hassle of setting up. Compared to softumbrella Thanks for all your help and great video

[guitargirlUK]

Very useful video, thank you for posting.

[Photolearncouk]

You're right, softboxes don't work properly with hotshoe flashes because they have fixed reflectors and so don't distribute the light well. Also, the power is nowhere near adequate for use with large softboxes. The answer is to get real studio lights, and to recognise that hotshoe flashes are a very poor substitute for them