Umbrella vs. Softbox for an SB-600

[cheechdogg]

portability - Umbrellas go up quick and easy (and cheap to replace if you get a tear).

 

[eric-holmes]

If you have the money, you can always go for a lastolite ezybox

Or I've heard alot of good things about these:
Cheetah QBox 16

Hope this helps

This link is very helpful in one of my questions. One of the pictures shows a back view of the fash mounted in the box. Will light not escape through that?

 

[eric-holmes]

I think I have decided on a softbox. Is there a certain size that would pair well with an SB-600?

 

[ZWolfe21]

forgive my ignorance and interjection into this thread to ask a question, but whats the advantages of using a softbox vs say a diffuser that fits over the flash head itself? Controlling light spill?

Like this

 

[eric-holmes]

What you linked diffuses while softboxes soften light.

 

[KmH]

forgive my ignorance and interjection into this thread to ask a question, but whats the advantages of using a softbox vs say a diffuser that fits over the flash head itself? Controlling light spill?

Like this

A softbox makes the light source appear much larger than it really is. The larger the light source the softer the light and the shadows it casts.

A slip on diffuser doesn't make the light appear any larger, it just scatters it around, so less of the light actually goes to the subject.

Get the book Light: Science and Magic. An Introduction To Photographic Lighting. By Fil Hunter.

 

[eric-holmes]

KmH, what do you think about post #17?

 

[KmH]

Not enough light will escape to matter.

You could always cut a rectangular hole in a piece of aluminum foil to put over the speedlight head and reflect any spill back into the softbox.

 

[eric-holmes]

After much thought, I may be leaning toward an umbrella. It's more cost efficient and I feel like I am really having to rig a softbox to work with a speedlight. I hate having to rig stuff up. Maybe a simple umbrella would allow me to get me feet wet in the strobist area.

 

[ababysean]

what simple umbrella did you choose? because I'm looking to do the same thing you are

 

[eric-holmes]

I haven't chose one yet. I am still torn between sofbox or umbrella. But I have noticed this little kit.

Westcott | 43" Collapsible Umbrella Flash Kit w/Stand

 

[ababysean]

yes that kit looks really nice.

 

[KmH]

I often recommend this kit as a starter:

Impact | Digital Flash Umbrella Mount Kit | DFUMK | B&H Photo

and this reflector kit:

Westcott | 5-in-1 Reflector Disc - 40.5" | 304 | B&H Photo

 

[eric-holmes]

I often recommend this kit as a starter:

Impact | Digital Flash Umbrella Mount Kit | DFUMK | B&H Photo

and this reflector kit:

Westcott | 5-in-1 Reflector Disc - 40.5" | 304 | B&H Photo

What makes you recommend the Impact kit over the Westcott kit? Is it because you get double the kit for a little more money? I don't know which brands are supposed to be better than others so I was just curious. I see it has a lot of good reviews.

 

[ababysean]

and if you only wanted ONE flash for now, is there a big difference between 43 vs 32 inches?