Drawbacks of using a giant softbox?

[EDV]

Thinking of getting the ELINCHROM SOFTBOX OCTA LITE, largest softbox I've ever seen for sale. The Kayell site

http://www.kayellaustralia.com.au/photosite/

Lighting Equipment section says "it is so even at the diffuser surface, that many famous photographers use the Octa as a single light source for portrait photography. In the U.S.A. it is often referred to as The Beauty Light."

I plan to use it for music videos and tv commercials with the HPX 170. I've always been a fan of softboxes, and I've noticed most "high-end" MTV videos use large ones (even larger than the Octa Lite). I am also considering buying a smaller softbox instead, the Octa Lite just seems too damn large. Would it be difficult to transport and maintain? What other drawbacks does it have?

thanks in advance!


EDV

[PerroneFord]

You'll probably burn it up. Photography softboxes and video softboxes are not the same. I recommend you look at Chimera. They are used all over Hollywood for a reason.

[utako.o]

like PerroneFord said, make sure you buy a continuous light version of an octadome. the still photography versions will catch on fire after a few hours of use. remember you need to have at least a 1K if not 2K lamp to drive the octadome properly, so it heats up quickly.

Any accessorries you purchase (like the egg crate grid--to control spill) must also be for continuous light source. sadly, i discovered the hard way, the grid costs as much as the octadome itself :(

[singlo]

I have the Elinchrom 6 foot Octa for still photography. It is not suitable for video.

I recommend Chimera or Photoflex. I use the Photoflex large Cinedome for 1k and 2k Arri fresnel with speedring. It is very deep and heavy, taking lots of space. Alternatively, use large fabric scrim with hard lights to create super soft light.


Grids for softbox are not only expensive, they eat up 2-4 stops of lights. It is better and cheaper to use cutters and flags to control spill.

Some high ended MTV video production uses giant Briese HMI parabolic umbella.

[PerroneFord]

How is the Rifa vs. the Chimera?

I have the 88


is the Rifa88 considered professional? is it a good light?

I have seen the Rifa on pro sets. I remember some DP talking about them in the ASC Magazine. The Chimera is a more flexible system because you can put a variety of lights in there. I choose the Rifa instead for it's speed and simplicity and the ability to go tungsten or fluo.

[j1clark@ucsd.edu]

Thinking of getting the ELINCHROM SOFTBOX OCTA LITE, largest softbox I've ever seen for sale. The Kayell site

http://www.kayellaustralia.com.au/photosite/

Lighting Equipment section says "it is so even at the diffuser surface, that many famous photographers use the Octa as a single light source for portrait photography. In the U.S.A. it is often referred to as The Beauty Light."


EDV

I checked the site, and I think I saw what you were refering to ... for 1500-1600 AusD, I think you should perhaps consider the following:

http://www.diyphotography.net/homestudio/blz/soft-light-panel-frame

Or similar if you really are not all that handy building things...

I have collapsable panels, cost around 3-400 $US, that pack up in a convient carrying bag for location (up to 3 panels worth in a bag...).

The idea is to set up the panel, then the light behind, at a 'safe' distance, you can also 'aim' the light or black wrap it to get various effects, to give that soft light glow that is good for people who have not had the benefit of massive plastic surgery...

I don't have a reference for the commercial items I have... I'll look up where I bought them and perhaps post later...

Also, as a note... most pro-photographers these days use flash, so the devices used for flash may not be up to having a couple of KW lamps close to them... like in burn/melt... The flash tube may put out a couple of 'thousand watt/seconds', but it is a brief burst of light, and for the most part only the housing is given a fan, if needed to keep it cool... the 'modeling' or 'finder' lights are often below 200 W and just there to give the photographer an idea of the lighting...

[EDV]

Thanks for the info guys, all very useful.
Checked out my local Film Studio, Large Chimera Softboxes (135 x 180cm) hire rate is nearly AU$400 a week. Not sure what other accessories I would need but it's probably better than buying them. My only concern now is transport and set up...is this easy to learn or do I need a DP? I am a little inexperienced with this pro equipment, but am eager to learn.

[Macville]

If you are on a budget, look at the Photoflex cine domes. They are about half the price of a chimera and are very well made. I have the med and large cine domes to go on my 1k tungsten's and 1.2k HMI's. Good softboxes are easy to set up and tear down. The Riffa is by far the easiest to set up, but you are also limited with it since it comes with a built in socket.

Matthew

[Sneakle]

Maybe I'm getting lazy but the hassle of setting them up and breaking them down often makes me reach for an umbrella, which though frowned upon by some pros, can produce nice light. But sorry, I didn't address the question. I use a large Photoflex Silverdome from time to time, then let a grip get it back in its sleeve.

[henry cho]

photoflex is having an end-of-year clearance sale. moviedomes, cinedomes, silverdomes, and whitedomes (all designed for continuous lights) are included in the sale, some at pretty significant savings. they have speedrings in the mix as well. i have used their softboxes and can attest their build quality is very good.

[filmat11]

Maybe I'm getting lazy but the hassle of setting them up and breaking them down often makes me reach for an umbrella, which though frowned upon by some pros, can produce nice light. But sorry, I didn't address the question. I use a large Photoflex Silverdome from time to time, then let a grip get it back in its sleeve.

Yes, your getting lazy.... If it's worth lighting, it's worth making it look good. I can build a softbox and take it down with my eyes closed, and put it back in it's zipper bag in 20 -30 seconds ..snap out of it..
Yes, an umbrella does give off nice light...but spills it everywhere else it's not needed.

[Sneakle]

> I can build a softbox and take it down with my eyes closed, and put it back in it's zipper bag in 20 -30 seconds ..snap out of it..<
Look, if you're worried about spill you use a fresnel.

[henry cho]

a fresnel kicks out hard light. softboxes are the best way to get directional soft light, and you can put a softbox on a fresnel. regarding umbrellas, you can handle spill with flags, but it's far easier to put up a softbox (which can be compared to a flat umbrella flagged on all sides) and not have to deal with blocking spill all over the place.

fwiw, photoflex sale apprears to be over (even tho it's still splashed on their homepage). all the items of real interest here appear to be back to regular street prices.