Softbox diffusion cloth?

[Rogue Crew]

I want to try some experiments in "portable diffusion", but I need some basic materials.

What's the front of a softbox made from - the actual diffusion material?
Can the material be purchased easily? If it's not readily available, is there a gel equivalent?

Thanks.

[J_Barnes]

Well, as far as from a fabric store...there are things that are similar to the diffusion on the front of a softbox, but they don't have the heat tollerance required to resist bursting into flames.

You could try using a silk out of an open ended flag, or from a butterfly...but they're not very heat resistant either.

Gel equivilants are widely available, but not as quiet. 215, opal, frosts, etc. A gel book from Lee or Tiffen will have several varieties of diffusion for you to look at.

It'd be nice to know if there's a supplier out there who does sell the material used in the front of the softbox, but I don't know of one personally.

[TylerGred]

Don't know where you can buy the stuff, but you can always use a white bed sheet.

[Neil Rowe]

.. lightly frosted clear acrylic shower curtians work pretty well too. but they dont like hot lights too close either.

lightly frosted pastry will be good on the set as well.

[Rogue Crew]

No, for my experiments I need the real thing, or as close to it as possible. What goes on a butterfly? Same thing?

[Neil Rowe]

..just take the pastery man.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home;jsessionid=BjTBJu6H1S!41151477?ci=1&sb=ps &pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O= SearchBar&A=search&Q=*&shs=butterfly

[J_Barnes]

Most butterflys use silks though, still too lightweight to withstand a softbox.

It's the look you want, but not the durability you're going to need to use it in a softbox, and the light doesn't stay that soft after the front of the softbox bursts into flames.

[Michael_Capulli]

You should look into stuff called "tough spun" - We used it alot in lighting class - just use some C47's on the barndoors and its almost just as good as a softbox.

[Zoomforce]

yeah you can get a rosco gel book for free from almost anywhere and they have various grades of spun, criss cross and opal in there, and its only about 10 bucks a sheet, should do you well.

[Rogue Crew]

Yahoo, $5.50 for 20 x 24" sheet color or diffusion at B&H, although I couldn't find the free gel book from either B&H or Rosco. Fifteen to choose from:

3000 - Tough Rolux, 3006 - Tough Spun, 3007 - LT. Tough Spun, 3022 - Tough Spun, 3008 - Tough Frost, 3009 - LT. Tough Frost, 3010 - Opal Tough Frost, 3020 - LT. Opal Tough Frost, 3011 - Tough Silk, 3015 - LT. Tough Silk, 3026 - Tough White Diffusion, 3027 - Tough White Diffusion, 3028 - Tough White Diffusion, 3001 - LT. Tough Rolux & 3040 - Powder Frost

But isn't "Tough Silk" a contradiction in terms? ;D