24" to 26" Octabox suggestions

hark

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I'm looking for a smaller octabox (currently have a Godox 47") and want to stay in the 24" to 26" range for outdoor portability. Although I'm a big Magmod fan, the reviews of the Magbox concern me - so I'm looking for a different brand. I haven't seen an octabox by Godox in that size range.

Does anyone have experience with the Phottix Raja Parabolic Softbox 26"? The size is ideal, and the fact that it opens more like an umbrella would allow faster setups. It also comes with a grid rather than having to purchase a grid separately. Any comments regarding it? Or any other suggestions for an octabox in this size? Would like to stick to an octabox for the shape of the catch lights (instead of a softbox).

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...ix_ph82721_raja_quick_folding_softbox_26.html

phottix_ph82721_raja_quick_folding_softbox_26_1522339552000_1399543.jpg
 

kevy73

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Look at Godox stuff - pretty well priced and not to shabby on the quality. That or Cheetah something - can't remember the exact name
 

hark

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Cindy,

Have you looked at the Glow brand from Adorama? I have one of their softboxes and really like it.

https://www.adorama.com/g/glow_brand

Thanks for the info, Matt! The 26" Glow EZ Beauty Dish looks interesting. I will compare it with the other one I linked above and weight the pros/cons of both. The fact that it comes with a beauty dish whereas the first one I asked about doesn't, that's definitely a huge benefit. Both come with a grid so the biggest difference is the beauty dish to cut down on a hot spot. :)

https://www.adorama.com/glbdez25s.html
 

hark

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Look at Godox stuff - pretty well priced and not to shabby on the quality. That or Cheetah something - can't remember the exact name

Kevin, I couldn't find a Godox octabox in a 24" to 26" size. Cheetahstand has this 26" which comes with a beauty dish. What it has that the Phottix and Glow lack is a pebbled silver interior. It's my understanding that a pebbled interior reduces hot spots better than one without. But I have a question for you or anyone - how does the depth of an octabox or parabolic softbox affect the lighting? Is it better to get a deeper one or a narrower one? This one looks to be slightly narrower than the other two (Phottix and Glow).

https://www.cheetahstand.com/product-p/qsb-26.htm&Click=9973

QSB-26-2T.jpg Cheetahstand


glbdez25s.jpg Glow from Adorama




phottix_ph82721_raja_quick_folding_softbox_26_1522339552000_1399543.jpg Phottix Raja from B&H
 

Horoscope Fish

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... But I have a question for you or anyone - how does the depth of an octabox or parabolic softbox affect the lighting? Is it better to get a deeper one or a narrower one?
This is sort of an, "It depends" question, but, in short, a deeper modifier puts the front surface further away from the strobe which, all other things being equal, renders light more evenly on your subject.
 

hark

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This is sort of an, "It depends" question, but, in short, a deeper modifier puts the front surface further away from the strobe which, all other things being equal, renders light more evenly on your subject.

Oh? :eek-new: Oh. :( *Rethinking my options* ;)

Thanks, Paul. :)
 

kevy73

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But I have a question for you or anyone - how does the depth of an octabox or parabolic softbox affect the lighting? Is it better to get a deeper one or a narrower one?

I would imagine the deeper one would have a smaller spread of light - ie more focused. But I have no scientific proof of this. It would also depend on how close to the back of the Parabola that you have your light source too...
 

hark

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I would imagine the deeper one would have a smaller spread of light - ie more focused. But I have no scientific proof of this. It would also depend on how close to the back of the Parabola that you have your light source too...

The other day I watched a video by Phottix showing a few different models of their softboxes. They said that a deeper softbox offers slightly harder and more direct light. A softbox with a shorter depth spreads light out over a wider area and is softer in comparison. So although I haven't yet bought one, I will get the Photttix Raja 26".

I know the value of a beauty dish, but this softbox will be for portability and ease of use. Thanks again to everyone for your input. :)
 

hark

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Cindy,

Have you looked at the Glow brand from Adorama? I have one of their softboxes and really like it.

https://www.adorama.com/g/glow_brand

Today I finally purchased a small, portable softbox. While I was leaning towards the Photix Raja 26" softbox, ultimately I decided on the Glow EZ Lock 25" Silver Beauty Dish instead. After comparing the reviews, it seems the Photix creates a hot spot since it lacks a beauty dish. I also opted for the Glow EZ lock 10x24" Quick Strip Softbox since the sale price is terrific ($30 off).

Glow EZ Lock 25" Silver Beauty Dish: https://www.adorama.com/glbdez25s.html
Glow EZ Lock 10x24" Quick Strip Softbox: https://www.adorama.com/glsbez1024.html

The Glow EZ Lock 25" Beauty Dish also comes in white if anyone is interested: https://www.adorama.com/glbdez25w.html

The white one is supposed to give an even softer light than the silver. Since I'm looking to use this outdoors, the silver is supposed to be a little brighter and also slightly more punchy/contrasty than the white.

Thanks @Prefrosh01 - I have no idea where you've been lately, but I appreciated your input here! :)
 

hark

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Let us know how you like it once you have a chance to try it.

I will. Although I am a big fan of MagMod products, the grip that is required to hold the MagBox (their version of a softbox) received mixed reviews. Too many of the grips were breaking, and they didn't offer an alternative way to mount the MagBox. It can only be mounted with their own grip. So that's why I decided to look for a different portable softbox.

The Photix Raja also looked like a viable option - and possibly it's something I will get in the future. The problem when using a beauty dish outside (which the Glow EZ lock includes) is the additional weight. And I'm thinking along the lines of stability when it comes to windy days. That's why it took me so long to decide whether to go with the Glow EZ Lock (with a beauty dish) vs. the Photix Raja without one. But if the weight of the beauty dish is an issue, I can try using the Glow EZ Lock without it. The problem when using a softbox without a beauty dish is the hot spot that it creates. I'll see how it goes! ;)
 

cwgrizz

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Today I finally purchased a small, portable softbox. While I was leaning towards the Photix Raja 26" softbox, ultimately I decided on the Glow EZ Lock 25" Silver Beauty Dish instead. After comparing the reviews, it seems the Photix creates a hot spot since it lacks a beauty dish. I also opted for the Glow EZ lock 10x24" Quick Strip Softbox since the sale price is terrific ($30 off).

Glow EZ Lock 25" Silver Beauty Dish: https://www.adorama.com/glbdez25s.html
Glow EZ Lock 10x24" Quick Strip Softbox: https://www.adorama.com/glsbez1024.html

The Glow EZ Lock 25" Beauty Dish also comes in white if anyone is interested: https://www.adorama.com/glbdez25w.html

The white one is supposed to give an even softer light than the silver. Since I'm looking to use this outdoors, the silver is supposed to be a little brighter and also slightly more punchy/contrasty than the white.

Thanks @Prefrosh01 - I have no idea where you've been lately, but I appreciated your input here! :)

I have lost touch with your progression in lighting, but what lights will you be using with these?
 

hark

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I have lost touch with your progression in lighting, but what lights will you be using with these?

Right now I have one Godox AD200 and eventually will get an AD200 Pro to go with it. I also have a Godox VING V860IIN with the XProN trigger. And I also have an SB-700 and two SB-28 units (went with my 35mm film camera and will work manually but not with TTL). Since my SB-910 stopped working after it was repaired the first time, I'm hesitant to spend that kind of money on another Nikon flash unit. For less money, the Godox AD200 packs more power. And there is a bracket that will hold two AD200 units in a softbox. Two together gives the same amount of light as one AD400 unit. But having two units is more flexible allowing them to be used individually or together.

Here is the dual flash bracket: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1353389-REG/godox_ad_b2_ad200_dual_power_flash.html
 

hark

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Also I forgot to mention that when using a softbox outdoors during the day, it is difficult to overpower the sun. That's the main reason I chose the Glow EZ Lock in Silver as opposed to White. The Silver inside is supposed to reflect a little more light - albeit a little more contrasty. Down the road, I still might purchase the Phottix Raja 26" if I feel I want another small softbox. The fact that both of these are parabolic softboxes is a plus - faster to set up since they don't require manually inserting the rods like traditional softboxes. :encouragement:
 

Prefrosh01

Senior Member
Cindy (@hark) - always happy to help and glad you found something that will work for you!

It has been a crazy summer and with three little ones at home I haven't had as much time to shoot as I would like...hopefully that will change now that school as started up again.

Matt
 
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