Softbox recommendations
- Thread starter disjecta
- Start date
Barry_Green
Moderator
Re: Softbox recommendations
You can get a JTL softbox, light, and stand combo from Steve Kaeser on ebay for about $175.
You can get a JTL softbox, light, and stand combo from Steve Kaeser on ebay for about $175.
Barry_Green
Moderator
Re: Softbox recommendations
They make two versions, one with a fan for still photography, and one without for video/film photography. You definitely want the ones without the fans.
They make two versions, one with a fan for still photography, and one without for video/film photography. You definitely want the ones without the fans.
Terry_Lasater
All about the Caption
Re: Softbox recommendations
Well, I don't know about these particular lights, but most better-made still photography lights with fans have a switch to turn the fan on or off.
If you have a switch for the fan, then it shouldn't be a problem.
Well, I don't know about these particular lights, but most better-made still photography lights with fans have a switch to turn the fan on or off.
If you have a switch for the fan, then it shouldn't be a problem.
Barry_Green
Moderator
Re: Softbox recommendations
Hey, glad it worked out. The price/performance ratio on those things is just amazing. The eggcrate is expensive though... also, I think they sell an accessory reflector which would let you use the light head as a hardlight source too, which would give you some more flexibility.
Hey, glad it worked out. The price/performance ratio on those things is just amazing. The eggcrate is expensive though... also, I think they sell an accessory reflector which would let you use the light head as a hardlight source too, which would give you some more flexibility.
Terry_Lasater
All about the Caption
Re: Softbox recommendations
http://search.stores.ebay.com/search/search.dll?GetResult&sid=30821274&fp=0&srchdesc=y&query=JTL
http://search.stores.ebay.com/search/search.dll?GetResult&sid=30821274&fp=0&srchdesc=y&query=JTL
Phil
Veteran
Re: Softbox recommendations
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3860&item=2984752802
or
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3860&item=2956160062
Soon I'll be working with really expensive lights $10,000 easy, and I'd like to set up with a cheaper kit, just for practice. Are these any good?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3860&item=2984752802
or
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3860&item=2956160062
Soon I'll be working with really expensive lights $10,000 easy, and I'd like to set up with a cheaper kit, just for practice. Are these any good?
Barry_Green
Moderator
Re: Softbox recommendations
They're okay. When you're asking if they're "any good", they're tremendous for the price. They're not Arri's with Chimera softboxes on 'em, but considering that you can get one complete with the box and the stand and the lamp for under $185, or two of 'em including a travel case for $379, they're a steal.
They have three main issues: one is that light leaks out of the cooling flaps on the sides. Two is that they get really hot, and if you put larger bulbs in 'em they'll trip the fuse and shut down. Three is a question of durability -- how long will they last? I've used them on a few occasions, and they do just fine.
The #1 attraction to these lights is the unbelievably low price. They're an amazing value for the price: consider that a 500-watt Lowel Rifa-Lite kit is about $500, and you could get three of these for less than the cost of one Rifa. And the stands are better than Lowel stands too.
Heck, you could get an entire light, softbox and stand combo for LESS than the cost of a Chimera SPEED RING! Not even the Chimera softbox, I'm talking about the ring that you use to attach the softbox to a light fixture!
So no, these are not world-class lighting instruments, they're not Chimeras, but they do work well and they are an incredible value for what you get.
They're okay. When you're asking if they're "any good", they're tremendous for the price. They're not Arri's with Chimera softboxes on 'em, but considering that you can get one complete with the box and the stand and the lamp for under $185, or two of 'em including a travel case for $379, they're a steal.
They have three main issues: one is that light leaks out of the cooling flaps on the sides. Two is that they get really hot, and if you put larger bulbs in 'em they'll trip the fuse and shut down. Three is a question of durability -- how long will they last? I've used them on a few occasions, and they do just fine.
The #1 attraction to these lights is the unbelievably low price. They're an amazing value for the price: consider that a 500-watt Lowel Rifa-Lite kit is about $500, and you could get three of these for less than the cost of one Rifa. And the stands are better than Lowel stands too.
Heck, you could get an entire light, softbox and stand combo for LESS than the cost of a Chimera SPEED RING! Not even the Chimera softbox, I'm talking about the ring that you use to attach the softbox to a light fixture!
So no, these are not world-class lighting instruments, they're not Chimeras, but they do work well and they are an incredible value for what you get.
;D