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Are people using the flashbender xl pro at all?

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fr3d33

fr3d33

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There doesn't seem to be a lot of opinions or pictures posted using the Flashbender XL pro version. Maybe I am looking in the wrong forums and blogs online, but I just wanted to know what people think of it as a solution (the cost is a non issue, the potential image quality is what i'm interested in).

I get the sense that larger umbrellas are the tried and true solution and soft boxes offer more control, but the smaller XL look to be pretty useful for a hobbyist who doesn't want to go all out with big gear.

I'm learning, read all the fancy strobe websites for fun, I have some pretty great books on lighting, and I have no intentions or the skill to be a pro. But i love to shoot pictures. i use an olympus e-m5 and just got my 2nd fl-600r speedlight yesterday (plus i have a fl-300r). I take pictures of typical topics like cats, flowers and family events. Plus special assignments to help improve my skill. Thanks for any pertinent info or pictures if you post! Feel free to provide any additional opinions or recommendations to help me delve further into this awesome hobby.
 
fr3d33 said:
fr3d33 wrote:

There doesn't seem to be a lot of opinions or pictures posted using the Flashbender XL pro version. Maybe I am looking in the wrong forums and blogs online, but I just wanted to know what people think of it as a solution (the cost is a non issue, the potential image quality is what i'm interested in).

I get the sense that larger umbrellas are the tried and true solution and soft boxes offer more control, but the smaller XL look to be pretty useful for a hobbyist who doesn't want to go all out with big gear.

I'm learning, read all the fancy strobe websites for fun, I have some pretty great books on lighting, and I have no intentions or the skill to be a pro. But i love to shoot pictures. i use an olympus e-m5 and just got my 2nd fl-600r speedlight yesterday (plus i have a fl-300r). I take pictures of typical topics like cats, flowers and family events. Plus special assignments to help improve my skill. Thanks for any pertinent info or pictures if you post! Feel free to provide any additional opinions or recommendations to help me delve further into this awesome hobby.
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I own and have used the smaller Flashbender XL. I don't really care for it that much over my DIY modifier made from white and black craft foam. But I did recently buy the attachment that turns it into a mini-softbox. I used it at a small fashion show on-camera and it did a very nice job. If you're using speed lights the XL with the softbox attachment works well.

I thought about trying out the Flashbender XL Pro but I decided it is just too big for on-camera use. And for off-camera use I would rather just use something more appropriate. If I'm going to pull out a light stand I would prefer to use a better modifier than the Flashbender.

I just recently bought a Quantum T5d-R. I'm really liking it. I think my speed lights are going to see much less use now for planned event type photography. :)
 
Thanks for the reply, I've been shooting portraits for fun and work lately and realize I might have to think bigger than the xls as a potential way to get finer results. I appreciate the recommendations and first hand experience, and wow, I looked up info about that quantum T5-dr, yikes that is out of my price range. I'm sure it's a purchase well worth the cost. Reviews seem to be very positive, someday maybe I'll step up to the plate, but for now in still a new student to lighting.
 
For portraits you want a diffuser to produce soft light, which is much more flattering than hard light.

You want the diffused light source off camera as the main light while you want a diffused light source close to the camera as the fill light to soften shadows and to control the highlight to shadow ratio.

The diffusers should be about the same size as the subject or larger.

The diffusers should be used between 1 and 2 times the measured diagonal of the face of a softbox or the measured diameter of the opening of an open umbrella. At these distances you get the best mix of softness and the highlight to shadow ratio.

The optimum distance when shooting portraits is 15'. Closer and you start getting extension distortion (also called wide angle distortion), further and you compression distortion from the long focal length. The optimum focal length varies with the size of the subject.

Ken Rockwell | Portrait Lenses

The Flashbenders are basically too small for more than close up portraits, and close up portraits require wide angle lenses.
 
Personally, no. I do follow Frank Doorhof's web site and blog and he does quite a bit of speedlight work with the Flashbenders. Then again, he's also sponsored by them.

http://www.frankdoorhof.com/site/2013/03/rogue-strip-light/


I believe he's got some demo work on his podcast, the DOORhof is always open, available on itunes and You Tube.

He's also pretty good about answering questions either on his site or vial Google Plus or Facebook.
 
I have a colleague who uses the smaller flash bender and loves it. The "softbox" capability of the XL Pro version is def something worth considering, but I would be leary of the how much power it eats up.

I use Interfit Strobies for portable speedlight softboxes and have been very pleased. They are a well-made knock-off of the Lastolite EzyBox -- Calumet Speedbox is another knock-off.
 
While I've never used the model described in the subject line, I've recently purchased a 10.5x11" flashbender to try/replace some homemade ones I have (instructions found here):

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super.nova.org

The one arguable thing that a device like this does is move the patch of light from your flash up a few inches from your lens and can be used with or without a dedicated flash bracket.

Given the size of the illuminated area on the bender its usefulness is rather limited to < 6-8'.
 
That's not true. Portraits don't always need baby soft light. It depends on the look you're going for and the story being told in the photo. You can do great portraits with the larger Flashbenders bare or if you want the light a little softer you can use the softbox attachment. Also, you can more than use a long lens for portraits with a Flashbender. You do NOT always need wide angle lenses at all. As a matter of fact, there are are very few instances where one would need a wide angle lens for portraiture with any Flashbender off camera.
 
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Progamus said:
That's not true. Portraits don't always need baby soft light. It depends on the look you're going for and the story being told in the photo. You can do great portraits with the larger Flashbenders bare or if you want the light a little softer you can use the softbox attachment. Also, you can more than use a long lens for portraits with a Flashbender. You do NOT always need wide angle lenses at all. As a matter of fact, there are are very few instances where one would need a wide angle lens for portraiture with any Flashbender off camera.
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Welcome to DPR. Picking a fight with a long-time and very helpful member in an eight-year old thread in your first post may not be the ideal way to make friends here. But you sure leave an impact.

Good luck and good light.
 
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