Softbox Effect for External Flash / Light Box

[sakasuvaki]

A few weeks ago I discovered something I did not know existed while searching on eBay...

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

...a softbox that would connect to my external flash. Has anyone ever used something like this? I like the other connectors it comes with but I am mainly focusing on just the softbox. Some people on eBay sell just the softbox, although they look too plastic-y and cheap in some regard so I haven't been looking at them in great detail. This would be ideal for me to carry around and I think it might work well for taking pictures of our geckos too because lighting for me seems like a chore to get it just right. I don't want to have to make up excuses anymore because I don't feel like putting up the lights hah.

Also, I am tired of using my makeshift light box. It is just too much trouble the way I constructed it and now finding that I need to carry it around it isn't worth it. I came across this one on eBay too...does this look to be of good quality? There are even some sets on eBay that come with some lights. I just want to know if its worth it. Some bonus interchangeable backgrounds too!

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

[umop_apisdn]

I never used a soft box, but I made a home-made ring flash accessory for my 430ex II. It works like a charm, although there is slight un-evenness of the light (brighter where my flash inserts into the ring. Do some Googling and you can find some cheap alternatives like this.

[Andrew Gilpin]

Some of these light modifiers work very well for what they are. It's amazing how diffusing the light a bit can make such a remarkable difference. I've not used such modifiers for much macro work, but have/do still use similar stuff for portrait photography to avoid the harsh direct light.
Here's what I've used in the past:
LumiQuest ProMax 80-20 System - Six Piece Flash Light LQ-105 B&H

I, like Mike, have never used a light tent or light box etc. I'm not a fan of the lack of control and lack of light coming in from the front ( all light comes in from the top and sides leaving the front darker usually).
You've got to remember though, not a lot of people are taking photos of really small things or stuff like geckos so that's not what most of these products are intended for.
Here's another product I was reading up on last night....
Orbis Orbis Ring Flash Diffusing Attachment ENLORB1A B&H Photo
Seems pretty expensive for what it is to be honest....
I think a lot of people don't realize that they can put together literally a studio quality flash set up with cheap light stands, umbrellas, hotshoe flashes ( with wireless triggers) etc. for under $300 though which would be what I would opt for. Certainly not a very portable set up ( although I use a similar set up for skating photos etc.) much more versatile when it comes to what you can do with it overall....

You might also check to see what some of these kits are going for used, that way if it doesn't do for you what you want, you can flip it on ebay and not lose as much money taking the price hit from new to used. I do this very frequently with gear.... buy something I'm interested in, try it out for a few weeks, and resell it if it's not exactly what I want.

[sakasuvaki]

Thank you for the replies.

I REALLY like those options. I'm going to do a bit of research but that would probably just what I need. I just didn't know where to start or what to look for. A cheap alternative would probably be a good idea too if I get some time to make something like that.

Where do you get most of your used equipment from, Andrew? eBay? Maybe I can find some full used setups on there...

[sakasuvaki]

After a few days of research I gave in and bought the LumiQuest ProMax 80-20 system from B&H. Can't wait to receive it in a few days and try it out. I think it will be super useful for a number of things.

[Andrew Gilpin]

It's a nice kit. I don't find myself using it at all for reptile stuff ( have other items) but it's definitely nice for diffusing hot shoe flashes on people etc. The softbox attachment might work for shooting herps so long as you're not too close. Otherwise you can try bouncing off of the ceiling or a white poster board. I used to do that for quite awhile until I got the studio flashes.