Flash vs. Soft Box

[Patrickktown]

Never used either in this first year of my DSLR.

Lurking through this forum was pretty useful.

You can scroll through my pics to see my style. Mostly macro - insects and flowers; along with landscapes. Hey look. I used a semi-colon.

SO... having said that I'm trying to narrow down what I actually need to purchase. Don't want to spend hundreds on a learning curve. Rather get the basics down and grow from there. Range is around $200 + or -.

Suggestions please.

 

[raventepes]

I'd go for a Yongnuo 568EX Amazon.com: Professional Flash Speedlight Flashlight Yongnuo YN568EX for Canon 1D 5D 7D 60D Canon 1Dx, 1Ds series, 1D series, 5DIII, 5DII, 5D, 7D, 60D, 50D, 40D, 30D, 20D, 650D/T4i, 600D/T3i, 550D/T2i, 500D/T1i, 450D/Xsi, 400D/Xti, 350D, 1100D, 1000D

And a Fotodiox flash mounted softbox. Amazon.com: Fotodiox 6"x8" Softbox for Flash, Speedlight, Nikon SB-600, SB-700, SB-800, SB-900, SB-910, Canon Speedlite 380EX, 430EX, II, 550EX, 580EX, II, 600EX-RT, Vivita Flash, Sunpack, Sunpak, Nissin, Sigma, Sony, Pentax, Olympus, Panasonic Lumix

A little bit of best of both worlds for around $200

 

[tirediron]

Your question is 'Apples vs. Oranges'. A flash is a light source, a soft-box is a light modifier used to soften the harshness of the light and reduce the intensity of the shadows. While you can use a speedlight/flash without a modifier, a modifier without a light source is pointless. A light without a modifier has limited application.

 

[Patrickktown]

Thanks for the clarification. Much appreciated!

 

[KmH]

The Fotodiox hot shoe flash mounted 6" x 8" is not enough bigger than the flash head bu itself to be of much, if any, benefit as a light modifier.

Unless you count wasting flash unit power as a benefit.