Lumiquest SoftBox

I have been considering picking up a Lumiquest Softbox to give my flash lighting a softer and more even effect.
Is it widely used and what are the pros and cons of them?
Is it a pc most photographers keep on hand ? or tend to throw to the wayside later with experience.

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Permalink Reply by Carlton Ward on May 27, 2009 at 11:04pm

I looked at the Lumiquest Softbox but opted for Gary Fongs Lightsphere for my 580EX which I am very happy with. Lemme know if you get the softbox and like it. Its collapsible which the Lightsphere is not. I also have (2) Sto-fen Omni bounces for my 580EX & 430EX flashes and these do a nice job as well.

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Permalink Reply by Marcia C on May 28, 2009 at 3:42am

I have one, never used it because I got the Gary Fong. It does a nice job. But like Carlton mentioned, it is not collapsible.

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Permalink Reply by Stephen Tisdale on May 29, 2009 at 9:06am

After doing a little more research I'm starting to think the Gary Fong shere might be a better choice. Mainly because there are two styles to handle different sinarios. There is a clear one for when extra light would be needed. Each sphere sell for $50.00 cdn.

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Permalink Reply by Stephen Tisdale on May 28, 2009 at 7:11am

Thanks.
I did look at the bounce speres and bounce boxes but as you said they do not collaps.

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Permalink Reply by Biniam Ghezai on May 28, 2009 at 9:10am

Hi there,
if you are keen with lumiquest softbox have a look at strobist.blogspot.com .You have picture and inf. about this product.Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Stephen Tisdale on May 28, 2009 at 9:17am

Thanks. Will definitely check it out.

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Permalink Reply by Jay Rodriguez on May 29, 2009 at 9:18am

I also use Sto-Fens. I hear alot about the Gary Fong vs. The Lumiquest and many who have purchased the GF managed to modify it to the comfortability.
If you have a local camera shop near you go out and test all 3 of these products.
I tried the GF and liked it, but I got the same result on a DIY chines food tupperware, so I stuck with the sto-fen cause its not bulky.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Needham on June 2, 2009 at 1:41pm

I mainly use 3 kinds of flash modifiers: bare bulb diffusers, softboxes, and bounce cards. A bare bulb diffuser like the Lightsphere or Omnibounce can be used instead of a mini softbox for direct flash, but some of the flash power is lost scattering in other directions. If there's something for it to bounce off of that may be good. Outdoors with nothing to bounce off of, and very bright ambient light, I find the extra stop I get with a softbox useful.

I most often use my Lightsphere and Omnibounce off camera bouncing off the ceiling.

I carry a Wescott Apollo 5"x8" mini softbox. It's pretty much like the Lumiquest, but made of a nylon bag and folding, wire frame. My Lumiquest mini softbox wore out quickly (the bending parts split). I've had the Wescott for over 10 years. I usually use it without the wire frame; it holds it's own shape if it's not windy. It wads up and fits anywhere. I like my 10"x10" Medialight softbox much better. A little big for on camera, but not too big to hand hold. If I'm using a stand I use a 16"x22" Chimera softbox. Get the biggest softbox you can handle; it's worth it.

I try to avoid direct on-camera/bracket flash when I can. My favorite on camera/bracket flash modifer are DIY bounce cards. I rubber band index cards and white hobby foam to my speedlights. I can cut them to any shape, and modify them as I need. They are vary compact, and dirt cheap. You can find most of the basics to make your own here http://abetterbouncecard.com/

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Permalink Reply by Stephen Tisdale on June 2, 2009 at 2:23pm

Thanks Matt for the info. As I research more I learn more. I'm starting to shy away from the Lumiquest softbox as I'm not impressed on the fastening method.

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Permalink Reply by CameraClicker on June 2, 2009 at 4:19pm

I got the Gary Fong 1/2 cloud. It works, I don't do much with a flash. I just cut the top off of a plastic vinegar bottle, cut a couple of slots into the side and attached it with a Velcro cable tie. Have only taken 1 comparison shot and have not moved it off the card yet. On the back of the camera, it looks about the same as with the Gary Fong.

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Permalink Reply by CameraClicker on June 2, 2009 at 7:50pm

Three photos, all 1/60, f/3.5, ISO 200 with Highlight Priority on, scaled down to 1024 wide in Photoshop Elements to create reasonable file sizes. No other treatment. The lens was just above the balcony railing.

Plain Canon 580 EX II in hot shoe, bent horizontal.

Gary Fong Lightsphere ( 1/2 cloud ) with white cover vertical.

Heinz Vinegar plastic bottle ( 1 litre, rectangular base ) with top cut off just below handle, two slits punched into one long side at width of flash with Velcro cable tie passed through the slits to hold it to the flash. Flash fired while in same vertical orientation as with the Lightsphere.

Colours are fairly accurate. There is a white/concrete roof at about 8.5 feet.

It doesn't look as polished, but for the time it takes to make it, the vinegar bottle works pretty well and it fits a camera bag better because of the shape. Also, it can be replaced for a couple of dollars and fifteen minutes work. I think it might be interesting to make up another one with some tin foil glued inside on the back.

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Permalink Reply by Staale Sannerud on June 3, 2009 at 1:11am

You can also use bubble-wrap. Just use sticky-tape to make a tube of bubble-wrap, closed at the top, diameter sized to fit the flash-head. Insert the flash-head (mounted verticaly) part of the way into the opening at the other end of the tube. Ta-da - instant diffuser at zero cost and it takes up essentially no space in your bag.