Softboxes or Umbrellas?

[anonymous-user]

Chaps,

My lighting setup currently consists of 2 cheap but powerful manual speedlights with wireless triggers which I have been happily learning the use of for a while now, but recently it is painfully obvious that for a lot of my subjects, the standard 'push on' diffuser caps just aren't cutting it at all.

The light is still far too harsh and 'spot like' for lighting cars and vehicles in the darker warehouses I shoot in, and the same goes for my portraits.

I just wondered what would be better for me, softboxes or shoot-through white/translucent umbrellas?

Is there much difference between the outcome of using either of these light modifiers?

I'm erring towards umbrellas at the moment as they are extremely cheap, fold to nothing for storage/transport and seem as though they might suit my requirements, but would I be better with softboxes for the sort of things I shoot?

I'm mainly looking to get that really flat almost matt lighting look when I shoot cars. I know this is usually generated with multiple diffused speedlights, but I'm not sure on the better diffusion method!

Thanks

[MikeGTi]

I bought an umbrella because, as you stated, they are cheap.

From what I can gather umbrellas and soft boxes will give the same kind of diffusion, the difference is that soft boxes give a more directed light source where as umbrellas are more of a 'light everything' kind of affair.

Speedliter's Handbook and www.strobist.com provide some useful info on different kids of diffuser too.

[K12beano]

I also went for umbrellas because they fold down to nothing and tuck into the bags for the lightstands. Cheap, versatile and light.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I think due to the sheer 'good value' of umbrellas I will go for a couple of them to try out.

After looking on eBay it seems that:
Umbrellas are £4
Clamp/bracket for the flash to hold it all together is £4
A 2 metre folding stand is £9

So all in all it's £17 per unit which is pretty cheap!

[crmcatee]

Don't know what kind of softboxes you guys are using but mine fold down to almost nothing as well. Okay so there's more involved in putting them up/taking them down.

[K12beano]

There's no doubting the soft boxes will probably do the better job, depending on the circumstances.

But £17 sounds about right - I maybe paid £30 or less for 2x brolly/stand/clamp; cheap and cheerful for occasional use. I figured at that price there was little to lose or you could replace every so often. Different lighting depending upon how far/close you mount the brolly and whether you leave the diffusers on the flash units.....

[anonymous-user]

K12beano said:

cheap and cheerful for occasional use. I figured at that price there was little to lose or you could replace every so often.

My thoughts exactly.

I'm not a pro and will only be needing them occationally so cheap 'n' Chinese should do the job!

[Cheib]

Softboxes deefinitely control the light better.....if you are looking for a cheaper solution I'd look at a reflective umbrella which can alos be used as a shoot through. Really depends what you want!

Maybe spend a bit more and get one of these for the versatility

http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/eng/product/calumet_...

[Olivero]

For cars - If you want to do a really good job then you need to use very big softboxes and strobe lights. I would recommend hiring lights if you are not going to be using them all the time. A light meter will speed everything up. Shoot on manual.




Not flat lighting but might give you an idea - NSFW
http://rocketcameras.com/rocket-news/nakedspeed/
7 softboxes on Profoto strobes.

[Simpo Two]

Softboxes every time for me. Much more controllable and nicer highlights in eyes etc - no starfish!

Probably limited use on Speedlights though.

[Piks]

Softboxes for me, if your using speedlights look at Interfit lighting, they have dedicated softboxes etc for them.
Steve

[Cheib]

Piks said:

Softboxes for me, if your using speedlights look at Interfit lighting, they have dedicated softboxes etc for them.
Steve

As so the Ezybox Hotshoe range from Lastolite....I have one. Works very well

http://www.lastolite.com/ezybox-hotshoe.php

[MadMullah]

101% softboxes mate

i bought a pair recently (which is what she said last nite!) and the difference is glaring.

i use mine for portrait work and it was obvious how much softer and spread out the light was

they werent expensive either...

£26 delievered

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PROFESSIONAL-60CM-x-90CM...

those are the s-type fit

[anonymous-user]

Thanks all, the input and suggestions/links have been extremely useful.

As ever PH is a good place to ask photo related questions!

[honest_delboy]

Sorry to highjack the thread but would anyone recommend this?

http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/eng/product/lastolit...

I have a Sony HVL-F42AM flash and an A33. I want to start getting into portaits which i guess will be indoors the majority of the time.

[K12beano]

Not personally used these (although have other Lastolite bits), but that range recommended by some professionals at seminars. Personally that's what I would have headed for if I wasn't using umbrellas.