Fabric grid/egg crate for a softbox - which degree?

[themagichoof]

I've got a chimera softbox and I want to get a fabric grid for it to control the spill. Problem is, I have no idea which degree of the grid to get.

http://www.chimeralighting.com/Products/Light-Modifiers/Lighttools-Soft-Egg-Crates-Fabric-Grids

I've got a medium soft box so it's between the ones listed on that page. I'm doing mostly interview footage but want to get something future-proof as well.

 

[themagichoof]

What do you guys think?

 

[Michael Carter]

In my experience, the difference in grid degree on a softbox is minor compared to the difference between a grid or no grid.

The smaller (and more numerous) the openings, the less spill and more "directionality" - the difference is pretty big on fresnels with metal grids (or flash heads) but I don't think it's as massive on a softbox. My advice would be, if you can't afford a full set, get whatever the middle value offered is. Or see if there's a showroom or rental house you can test, but you really need a dark room to see the difference. You lose a little light with a grid, and the tighter the cells the more you lose - not a huge amount, but you'll feel it, so keep that in mind if you're always shooting at 2.8 due to not owning a lot of powerful lights.

 

[Terry_Lasater]

I concur with Michael. I have a couple of 40 degree egg crates for my Chimeras.