Softbox vs. Flash Bender

[Debbielea]

I'm trying to find out what my best option would be for doing outdoor pet portrait session using either a softbox or the flash bender. I normally just use natural light but in some situation I could benefit from using off camera flash. I've never used either one and wanted to get some advise on which one would work the best.

I have a Nikon SB700 Speedlight..

I came across a Neewer 24x24 Softbox as well as the Flash Bender...Not even sure what size would be best of either...

Any advise would be great appreciated!

 

[nofumble]

Same as your 24 inch softbox.

 

[Debbielea]

I actually considered a beauty dish, however, it's not as portable as the other options.

 

[SKersting66]

I'm trying to find out what my best option would be for doing outdoor pet portrait session using either a softbox or the flash bender. I normally just use natural light but in some situation I could benefit from using off camera flash. I've never used either one and wanted to get some advise on which one would work the best.

I have a Nikon SB700 Speedlight..

I came across a Neewer 24x24 Softbox as well as the Flash Bender...Not even sure what size would be best of either...

Any advise would be great appreciated!

Neither/Either... it fairly well doesn't matter. Both are too small to be really useful in providing soft light. They are "make shift" solutions.

Personally I use a large flashbender with the stock diffuser (stofen) on the flash for "run and gun" type shooting.

But, for off camera flash I use proper/larger modifiers. For speedlights my preference is for this type of reflective octabox w/ grid. It is best to use it with RF triggers that can adjust the flash power remotely; otherwise they are a bit of a PITA.

 

[pieterv]

I did some comparison shots with small softbox (like Ezybox), large flashbender with diffuser and flashdisc, and found the light very similar. The flashdisc used properly is a bit more efficient with your light (i.e. loses less).

The flashdisc has the advantage that it is very small when packed away and quicker to use than the softbox.

 

[ScratchDisk]

Consider the 'Dish' from Roundflash (not the ring-light). It's 44cm diam and super light-weight. I'm loving mine!

http://www.amazon.com/RoundFlash-Co...id=1422482106&sr=8-1&keywords=roundflash+dish

or

Slightly smaller, FS's Flashdisc at 30 cm diameter.

https://flic.kr/p/pYnHWC

They are both very easy to use with a single Speedlite. Phottix's Mitros + 'Plus' with its built-in Odin tech is just perfect but an RF off-cam trigger for your SB 700 would be good too.

 

[GG]

Does either work?? I mean, when you use "flash" for taking a picture of an animal, don't you get those crazy eyes? Do you know what I mean? In people it's "red eye",, in animals,, it's crazy green or what ever.

Or does that simply just not happen when used outside??

Or, is it because the flash is not on the camera that alleviates that issue?



I'm not trying to get off-topic here,,, I was just wondering. Thanks.

 

[ScratchDisk]

" .. Or, is it because the flash is not on the camera that alleviates that issue? .. "

Mainly that.

Being outside helps because most pupils constrict under high ambient illumination.

 

[Paulmorgan]

I'm trying to find out what my best option would be for doing outdoor pet portrait session using either a softbox or the flash bender. I normally just use natural light but in some situation I could benefit from using off camera flash. I've never used either one and wanted to get some advise on which one would work the best.

I have a Nikon SB700 Speedlight..

I came across a Neewer 24x24 Softbox as well as the Flash Bender...Not even sure what size would be best of either...

Any advise would be great appreciated!

I would go with just the flash benders, there small, compact and easy to transport, and there less likely to catch in the wind.

Keep it simple, there is no need for soft boxes beauty dishes etc.

 

[Debbielea]

As long as the light is not directly in front of the subject it's not an issue! I only need it for a little fill light here and there or when we are having bad weather and I have to shoot indoors.

 

[Debbielea]

I went with the Flashbender. I will see how it works out and if I don't like it I will go with something else. I think I will like it though..

 

[GG]

Can you email me some day and let me know how you like them???

I went to a workshop a while back... hosted by a photographer that uses them...

I haven't bought them yet but I'm sure I will.

Thanks

 

[Paulmorgan]

I went with the Flashbender. I will see how it works out and if I don't like it I will go with something else. I think I will like it though..

I think you will be just fine with them, I use them all the time these days.

 

[DavidNJ100]

I'm trying to find out what my best option would be for doing outdoor pet portrait session using either a softbox or the flash bender. I normally just use natural light but in some situation I could benefit from using off camera flash. I've never used either one and wanted to get some advise on which one would work the best.

I have a Nikon SB700 Speedlight..

I came across a Neewer 24x24 Softbox as well as the Flash Bender...Not even sure what size would be best of either...

Any advise would be great appreciated!

Neither/Either... it fairly well doesn't matter. Both are too small to be really useful in providing soft light. They are "make shift" solutions.

Personally I use a large flashbender with the stock diffuser (stofen) on the flash for "run and gun" type shooting.

But, for off camera flash I use proper/larger modifiers. For speedlights my preference is for this type of reflective octabox w/ grid. It is best to use it with RF triggers that can adjust the flash power remotely; otherwise they are a bit of a PITA.

It is an incredible PITA with an umbrella softbox with the speedlite inside. Yes, the remote (I'm using YN-622s) allow remote adjustment...but there is always something that needs adjustment. Even the tilt is inside the box.

I think using the Godox S-mount keeps the Speedlite out of the box and with the double diffusion still seems to fill the box (I'm using a 37" octagon from Cowboy Studios). The one I've got also has an umbrella like quick setup even though it is an S-mount.

That said, as a fill the Flashbender should be ok (I have the ProXL, but only limited experience with it). As an indoor softbox it is harsh compared to much bigger octagon. As an outdoor fill flash it would probably be fine. This video review has some outdoor pictures with the Flashbender Pro XL at the end:

 

[Sailor Blue]

Don't bother with either a FlashBender or the softbox if the dogs are moving. These diffusers are too small to produce soft light if used at subject to flash distances that will be practical (i.e. beyond about 4' for the FlashBender or 6' for the softbox) and they will waste 2 or more stops of flash power.

When you want to use a diffuser is when you can get the flash close enough to a stationary subject that you can get good soft light from the diffuser, i.e. when the subject to diffuser distance is between 1 and 2 times the diameter/diagonal of the diffuser.

What you want is to use with moving subjects like dogs the bare flash as a fill light if the subject is in direct sunlight and for that just mount it on your camera and dial down the FEC to -1 or -2 stops. Experiment to find out what FEC is best for the shoot you are doing.

A bare flash or a diffused flash used off-camera can become the main light if the subject is in the shade by simply setting the FEC to -1 or -2 stops. Experiment to find out what FEC is best for the shoot you are doing. If you have a flash meter then you are even better off going to Manual flash power.

Sekonic - Joe Brady - Blending Flash & Ambient Light for Beautiful Outdoor Portraits

 

[DavidNJ100]

Don't bother with either a FlashBender or the softbox if the dogs are moving. These diffusers are too small to produce soft light if used at subject to flash distances that will be practical (i.e. beyond about 4' for the FlashBender or 6' for the softbox) and they will waste 2 or more stops of flash power.

When you want to use a diffuser is when you can get the flash close enough to a stationary subject that you can get good soft light from the diffuser, i.e. when the subject to diffuser distance is between 1 and 2 times the diameter/diagonal of the diffuser.

What you want is to use with moving subjects like dogs the bare flash as a fill light if the subject is in direct sunlight and for that just mount it on your camera and dial down the FEC to -1 or -2 stops. Experiment to find out what FEC is best for the shoot you are doing.

A bare flash or a diffused flash used off-camera can become the main light if the subject is in the shade by simply setting the FEC to -1 or -2 stops. Experiment to find out what FEC is best for the shoot you are doing. If you have a flash meter then you are even better off going to Manual flash power.

Sekonic - Joe Brady - Blending Flash & Ambient Light for Beautiful Outdoor Portraits

 

[Debbielea]

Yeah I will post some once I receive it!

 

[Debbielea]

Many times the owner will sit with their dog so it's not running around! Or I have them sitting on something.

 

[SKersting66]

DavidNJ100 wrote:

It is an incredible PITA with an umbrella softbox with the speedlite inside. Yes, the remote (I'm using YN-622s) allow remote adjustment...but there is always something that needs adjustment. Even the tilt is inside the box.

I use it on boom/C stands... alleviates that issue. I also tend to use external battery packs.
I prefer them because they are easier to fill evenly and are more "efficient" with only one layer. Plus you can remove the diffusion and have something of a parabolic look.

Of course, speedlights and "studio" lighting is always something of a mash-up...

 

[Paulmorgan]

Don't bother with either a FlashBender or the softbox if the dogs are moving.

They will be dog portraits.

This sort of thing only outdoors.

These diffusers are too small to produce soft light if used at subject to flash distances that will be practical (i.e. beyond about 4' for the FlashBender or 6' for the softbox) and they will waste 2 or more stops of flash power.

When you want to use a diffuser is when you can get the flash close enough to a stationary subject that you can get good soft light from the diffuser, i.e. when the subject to diffuser distance is between 1 and 2 times the diameter/diagonal of the diffuser.

What you want is to use with moving subjects like dogs the bare flash as a fill light if the subject is in direct sunlight and for that just mount it on your camera and dial down the FEC to -1 or -2 stops. Experiment to find out what FEC is best for the shoot you are doing.

A bare flash or a diffused flash used off-camera can become the main light if the subject is in the shade by simply setting the FEC to -1 or -2 stops. Experiment to find out what FEC is best for the shoot you are doing. If you have a flash meter then you are even better off going to Manual flash power.

Sekonic - Joe Brady - Blending Flash & Ambient Light for Beautiful Outdoor Portraits

--
Living and loving it in Pattaya, Thailand. Canon 7D - See the gear list for the rest.