Alternitives to Chimera

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7/24

Member
Chimera is a fabulous product. However, if you're on a budget, what else out there is good? On the other side of the coin, what did you buy that was worthless?
 
Unfortunately all of the alternatives to Chimera that I have bought and used have turned out to be basically disposable at some level. Most popular alternative would be Photoflex but there are dozens. Chimeras are more $$ and worth it, I have two of them I have been using for close to ten years and they are still going strong.

My Photoflex burst it's seams the fourth time I used it ;-(

Dan
 
I've had three Photoflex boxes for years - about 12 years, in fact. Only problem was a splintered fiberglass rod (but back then, they shipped an extra). Kinda my fault, it's hard to get those rods out when they're under tension. My experience has been great, and their fabric grids are fairly affordable, too.

Mmmmm.... fabric grids....

Honestly, for big sets, I seem to use white fabric clipped to a C-stand far more than I've ever used my softboxes. I only like 'em for tabletop still shooting. (I have a lot of Wescott ScrimJim gear, too).
 
I agree with the sentiment "you get what you pay for". Chimera is expensive but it holds up very very well. I have 2 small video pro chimeras and a medium pancake (plus some of their breakdown frames, rags and triolet fixture) and I've never had any problem and they've paid for themselves at this point.

If I were to consider anything else it would probably be photoflex though I have no experience with them...
 
bcheong said:
I agree with the sentiment "you get what you pay for". Chimera is expensive but it holds up very very well. I have 2 small video pro chimeras and a medium pancake (plus some of their breakdown frames, rags and triolet fixture) and I've never had any problem and they've paid for themselves at this point.

If I were to consider anything else it would probably be photoflex though I have no experience with them...
Click to expand...

How do you like the triolet vs the older mogul ring? Have you used the smaller bulbs yet?
 
shawneous said:
How do you like the triolet vs the older mogul ring? Have you used the smaller bulbs yet?
Click to expand...

It's great! It was priced very similarly to the older mogul version so it made sense to buy it with all the extra features.

I've been using it with a FRK (650w) 2 pin bulb and it works great. It does take a while to cool down I've found so far.
 
I've had 4 Westscott knock offs for many years and I find them absolutely no different only half the price of a Chimera Plus. I do buy Chimera grid cloth fronts and grids for them.
 
Now I am sure I will get jumped for this but here goes.... First I have two chimera video pros and love them and have had them for 5 years. last year I was on ebay and bid on an Amvona soft box for one of my lowel pros. It is in no way the same quality as a Chimera, but it works fine and has continued to work for me hard to beat for the $24.00 + shipping.But they would not hold up for long unless you treat them gently.
So if you are starting out and low on start up cash this might be an option while you raise funds for something better.
Now let me put on my helmet and get ready for the assualt.
Brian
 
Beware, many soft boxes are not rated for hot lights, but only for flash units. You can't always tell from just looking at them.

Westcott used to make a softbox that was/is rated up to a 1000W light. They had it with their strobe gear in the catalog instead of with their video products, but it was indeed rated up to a 1k hot light. It was very inexpensive, and I use it with my Lowel DP light. It had held up fine.
 
Yes, it's true. Unless rating specified, you can only tell when it starts to produce smoke + fire = not nice.

Another alternative to a Chimera, which works for larger lights is something like a sail boat ahm 'sail' is it? stretch it out over a frame (eg: pvc square) or a couple stands. Spill will be an issue but works in some environments.

Another alternative more suited for smaller wattage, but again be careful not to create fire, is 2 umbrellas. one that is silver on the inside with black backing, and the other a white/soft. put the two together = 'chimera'. Space them a bit apart to allow for heat to escape. If heat doesn't want to escape though, well fire is not always desired. Anyway :)
 
Photoflex is a great option as long as you don't mind a little less in quality and a lot less in cost. There are major rental houses that have the Photoflex stuff, so that should tell you something about the quality/cost ratio.

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Like Brian, I have several of the Amvona softboxes purchased on Ebay. I like the medium size- very portable and cost me only about $75 each shipped, typically. They come with
a 500w mogul base bulb, plus an extra, and include a stand with casters. They are rated for and will handle a 1K bulb if needed, but due to the small size, I usually open all the vents and monitor the light.
I purchased some CFL bulbs from Coolights that fit the same sockets that are equivilent to 600W tungsten, 5600K and cost $60 each plus shipping. So for under $150 I have a tungsten or daylight flo fixture. The build quality, while OK, is obviously not as good as Photoflex - but for $75 each I can always have an extra on hand in case of a failure, and spend all that extra money on something else.
 
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