comparing Chimera and Photoflex softboxes

Alexa

Alexa

Veteran
Chimeras seem to be a lot more expensive than Photoflex softboxes. Any ideas why?

-better quality materials?
-faster setups?

Please offer your thoughts if you have used/purchased any of the more up to date models ( assuming both companies upgrade design once and awhile)

btw ( I just discovered the "message icon" feature..whoo-hoo! ), by accident, at that!
 
Re: comparing Chimera and Photoflex softboxes

That's what matters most.  Would you rather have the answer, or learn the lesson?

EDIT: God almighty that sounded pompous...sorry. Lighting is a mystery that I fumble through all the time. But I do learn...most of the times.
 
Re: comparing Chimera and Photoflex softboxes

well, the answers would have left me with a lot more time, but the lessons were really cool.

it was pretty funny though, lurking in photographers' forums. especially with the "glamour" photography. oh the picts..
had me rolling..:0

back on the subject..

I did talk to some chimera reps. over the phone.

Their lightbanks are handmade by the little elves in Colorado. Some even sew them at home.

Photoflex=made overseas (you can just guess where...)
 
Re: comparing Chimera and Photoflex softboxes

I've used both in still photography, and there is very little difference. They've both been around a long time. Actually, I believe the price difference is mostly that Chimera was one of the first manufacturers to build a line of softboxes, probably in the early 80's. PhotoFlex came along a couple years later, and was a cheaper "copy." That perception has stuck for all these years, although in reality, I think they are very similar in materials and end use. Soft light is basically soft light... Personally, I think soft boxes are a pain in the ass for location. Constantly bending those rods to fit in the head adaptors gets to be a REAL pain! And its a good way to "put your eye out." For studio use, if you can keep them always assembled, they are fine. Also, unless you get the ones intended for hot lights, they can be a fire hazard. I like using shoot thru umbrellas on Tota lights or Omni lights. They are extremely quick to set up, give a nice soft light, and at around $25 each, they are virtually disposable when the ribs bend from jamming them into the ceiling. Also, when you use them with Omni lights, the zoom function on the light, gives you quite a bit of lighting control. Give them a try...
 
Re: comparing Chimera and Photoflex softboxes

[quote author=pptphoto link=board=lighting;num=1106590141;start=0#4 date=01/26/05 at 19:35:53]I like using shoot thru umbrellas on Tota lights or Omni lights. They are extremely quick to set up, give a nice soft light, and at around $25 each, they are virtually disposable when the ribs bend from jamming them into the ceiling. [/quote]

what is this? how different is this from a regular umbrella?

SHOOT- THROUGH?
 
Re: comparing Chimera and Photoflex softboxes

I've seen them.  In fact, I think I saw one today when I was buying some gels.  I didn't have time to ask about it, but my impression was "what the hell is that?"

here's one on e-bay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=79009&item=3869010700&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

less expensive ones:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=79009&item=3870318979&rd=1

Can anybody give a good analyses of how these stack up to a softbox (aside from the obvious light spill)?
 
Re: comparing Chimera and Photoflex softboxes

Shooting through a translucent white umbrella will soften the light, but it will still be harder and more specular than using a softbox. If you bounce your light off of an umbrella, the light will be soft but not quite as soft as a softbox. So from harder/specular to soft you'd have shoot-thru umbrella>bounce umbrella>softbox. Umbrellas are good for limited uses, mainly because the tremendous light spill makes it difficult to control the light. Umbrellas are cheap though, and they definitely beat open-faced lights, so it doesn't hurt to experiment. Try to find some wih heat resistant fabric because some are only designed for use with low heat strobes. I think Tota sells some umbrellas and they should be a bit more heat-resistant.
 
Re: comparing Chimera and Photoflex softboxes

Tota's and Omni's both have a hole for an umbrella shaft. If you slide the light closer to the umbrella, spill isn't as much of an issue, but the lights harder and heat becomes more of an issue. Of course, unless you are using heat proof soft boxes, they have more danger from heat. And Chimera and Photoflex both really specialize in strobe soft boxes, and each company only makes a couple models actually for hot lights. Be careful. If you didn't know, alot of the light modifiers on the market, such as 90% of the soft boxes out there, are really made for still photography strobe/flash, where heat build up is not really an issue. The short duration of flash doesn't build up much heat, and the modeling lights are usually 150 to 250 watts max. Put a 500 to 1000 watt light in a standard softbox without alot of ventilation for mare than 5 minutes, I'd head for the door, or a fire extinguisher. I am a still photographer by trade, and one of the light modifiers I like best is a "Brolly" brella, made by White Lightening. It's like a shoot thru umbrella, with a back and reflector. Kind of a combination soft box and shoot thru. I love them for stills with strobe/flash, but I'm trying to figure out how to modify them for hot lights. White Lightening has 2 sizes, and they are about $40 - $50 each. Do a Goggle on White Lightening and check them out. They set up in about 2 minutes. Much faster again, than soft boxes for location...
 
Re: comparing Chimera and Photoflex softboxes

Barry is right about the order of softness. The umbrellas that Lowel makes for the Tota's are really kind of a joke. They are 14" in diameter, with a silver surface. Hardly softer than direct light with a big reflector. Also, don't forget the old tried and true method of bouncing off of white ceilings and walls. I mostly specialize in architectural interior still photography, with some video for my better clients. I often use shoot thrus for more specular lighting, with a ceiling bounce or two for fill. It's quick, efficient and usually quite beautiful
 
Re: comparing Chimera and Photoflex softboxes

I find Lowell's Rifa lights to be a good compromise as far as softness vs control goes. The cloth grid that Lowell sells for the Rifa's is quite expensive, but definitely worth it - you can see why Lowell bought the Rifa product, excellent bang-for buck, with a very nice end result. Granted you can't really use the Rifa as anythiing else - with the Chimera, you can still use the DP light as something else, which is nice. Still I prefer the final results with the Rifa adn the grid.If there's time (yeah right) maybe I can post some sample images from our studentscomparing the looks acheived with some of these fixtures. Set-up time is always a consideration, and again, I find the Rifa to be about as painless as it gets.
 
Re: comparing Chimera and Photoflex softboxes

just a short update. I have some picts etc. but no time to upload them right now.

I was shopping for an hexagon shaped box. After several weeks, I do finally have it all together, thanks to Chimera.

At least FIVE  people were involved in FedExing me what I needed to use my Chimera OctaPlus Lightbank.

http://www.chimeralighting.com/products/dspproduct.cfm?productid=40

this is very new product, they are still manufacturing the tota speedring for this bank and sent me a protoype to hold me over for a month.

I was looking at a similar hex box made by photoflex. I called the company twice and left messages to a person and an answering machine. NEVER HEARD FROM ANYONE....woops. to be fair, i have received help once before from them in the past over the phone.

my chimera seems very well made and the set up they recommended for it is very substantial. with this odd shape and more stitchign and parts, I'm pretty happy with the decision, though more $$$.  more later.
 
Re: comparing Chimera and Photoflex softboxes

That looks great, I'm sure the quality of light is going to be beautiful. With Chimera you're paying for superior construction and great customer support. The resale value is also excellent in case it doesn't work out for you. What size bank did you get and how many totas are you filling it with?
 
Re: comparing Chimera and Photoflex softboxes

[quote author=Barry_S link=board=lighting;num=1106590141;start=0#14 date=02/16/05 at 12:33:22]That looks great, I'm sure the quality of light is going to be beautiful.  With Chimera you're paying for superior construction and great customer support.  The resale value is also excellent in case it doesn't work out for you.  What size bank did you get and how many totas are you filling it with?[/quote]

I got the 7 FOOT bank.

kiddin'...but a crowd of people can stand under that one.

mine is 3 feet at its widest. if you draw out a hexagon, you will see that the coverage area is pretty big, I thought a little bigger than a simliary sized rectangle. Right now, just one 750w tota. I'll find out if it is not enough, but should be. this is great for two or three people in a shot.

you will be quite proud when you see the set up :) wickedly strong.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top