Anyone own the EPHOTO or COWBOY STUDIO cfl softbox kits? looking for feedback
- Thread starter blake2404
- Start date
mainstreetprod
Veteran
They didn't come from Cowboy studio, but I have what appear to be the same octagon shaped collapsible soft boxes. I really like mine- just don't expect much of a stand for $13. I have found Ebay to be a great place to get CFL bulbs. Just search for say "5600K video cfl" and some Chinese sellers should come up with bulbs around $15-$20 that will give you up to 650watt equivilent light. That bulb actually draws 150w and they go down from there.
I've found these cheap light fixtures to be great for my purposes. They set up quickly, provide soft pleasing light (already daylight balanced which works great with whatever might be coming in the windows) and they usually come with diffusers. They are not built to take abuse so if you use them constantly or travel a lot, get the big name. If you do a job a week like me, they are a great buy.
This interview was lit with two of them (with 75w CFLS, about like a 300w tungsten)
I've found these cheap light fixtures to be great for my purposes. They set up quickly, provide soft pleasing light (already daylight balanced which works great with whatever might be coming in the windows) and they usually come with diffusers. They are not built to take abuse so if you use them constantly or travel a lot, get the big name. If you do a job a week like me, they are a great buy.
This interview was lit with two of them (with 75w CFLS, about like a 300w tungsten)
Last edited:
blake2404
Well-known member
thanks so much for the reply. Yeah my plan is to use them for personal use. For weddings and other paid gigs, i have a co-op nearby which gives me very affordable options for rentals.
It sounds like you have single socket fixtures? is that correct? Anyways i would love if you could give me a link to what you bought, if not thats ok, do you have any footy shot with the lights?
Also wanted to ask you, since these are softbox kits......i was thinking the big issue could be trying to shape the light the way you could with more pro lights (flags) Do you have a solution for this?
It sounds like you have single socket fixtures? is that correct? Anyways i would love if you could give me a link to what you bought, if not thats ok, do you have any footy shot with the lights?
Also wanted to ask you, since these are softbox kits......i was thinking the big issue could be trying to shape the light the way you could with more pro lights (flags) Do you have a solution for this?
mainstreetprod
Veteran
These are one socket fixtures. I also have some square softboxes similar to the others on the site. The octagon ones I bought on Ebay (new) a few months ago, but have not seen them again. They were $50a pair with stands and bulbs!
I haven't needed it often, but strategically applied black wrap usually solves the shaping problem.
I haven't needed it often, but strategically applied black wrap usually solves the shaping problem.