Thread: Umbrella or Softbox

Im looking into experimenting with some off camera flash work, debating on either a softbox or an umbrella, im leaning towards an umbrella since the light will be a little less direct. Anyone have any input...

two different effects. umbrellas are cheap so start there. get the two way ones, with the removeable black outer cover.

umbrellas cast light so differently than softboxes, look around strobist.com for a page on the difference.

Originally Posted by subimatt

im leaning towards an umbrella since the light will be a little less direct.

Not really sure what you mean by this, can you clarify?

Originally Posted by Idjiit

Not really sure what you mean by this, can you clarify?

An umbrella is going to disperse the light more than a softbox was my general understanding...

Matt, I'd recommend an umbrella that has a removable cover, you can shoot through it or reflect with it. I think its probalby not quite the same as a softbox but similar. I'm still new to this, but that's my recommendation from early in the learning curve.

yea all this stuff is new to me too Jay, Ill look into those, thanks for the rec.

Get a softlighter and have the best of 3 worlds.

link?

softlighter

It's a 3n1 modifier.

Can be a shoot through, then attach the black backing and it is a Reflective umbrella, then add the front diffusion and it is like a softbox.

This will give you an idea of what it looks like with a front diffusion panel.

A Strobist Birthday on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Without the front diffusion panel, used as reflective umbrella.

Gonzo Band Shot on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

it's got a removable 8mm shaft, Matt (and Leah!) will be right at home!!!!

Wow, the 46" Softlighter is USD$60 at B&H, and CAD$130 at Vistek.

Whisky Tango Foxtrot?


-A

at ben.

Matt - are you primarily going to be using this indoors or out? Will you have an assistant with you?

Originally Posted by subimatt

Originally Posted by Kilonad

Matt - are you primarily going to be using this indoors or out? Will you have an assistant with you?

outdoors, by myself for now... not sure if im going to be using it with weddings... going to play a little bit with models and e-sessions

I'm personally more of a softbox guy. Better light control, generally better catchlights, etc.

Originally Posted by subimatt

outdoors, by myself for now... not sure if im going to be using it with weddings... going to play a little bit with models and e-sessions

Go with a small softbox then. It'll be less of a sail on windy days. It's a good thing umbrellas are cheap, because if you use them outdoors, you'll end up replacing them on a semi-regular basis. I'd recommend either a 24" Lastolite EZYBox for well diffused light (and the fact that it's basically a popup softbox), the Photoflex XS OctoDome nxt, or the Photoflex XS LiteDome. Knowing the way you like to shoot, I'd also recommend getting an assistant and a paint pole to put the box on, so you're not tied down to shooting in one small area while you're using the light.

Look at the 28'' Westcott Apollo
2202 Westcott 28" Apollo Speedlite Kit for Shoe Mount Strobes.

Best solution for speedlights and works very well with Studio heads.

Originally Posted by Kilonad

or the Photoflex XS LiteDome.

I was just looking at a Photoflex Litedome to use on a shoot at noon this week. Looks pretty sweet and comfortable to rest your head on!

Photoflex Litedome on-camera XTC II Softbox 2X4"

brother has the 28westcott, i have the 24lastolite. both are great. nice diffusion. can set them on a stand and worry less than using an umbrella outdoors. light fall off will be more drastic than using umbrella.

hopefully this helps esssplain this better.

http://www.zarias.com/?p=27

Personally I'm a softbox kind of guy, I find umbrellas to be cumbersome and not very durable. Not to mention the greater control you have with a softbox and they are much less likely to go air born outdoors.

Don't spend a whole lot on whatever it is, most likely you will find things you do and don't like about the setup and won't to get something more suited towards your specific needs.