review: Lastolite Ezybox (model: Jess B)

June 6, 2010

review: Lastolite Ezybox softbox

Until recently I’ve been using a softbox setup with speedlights that is very sturdy, but can take a few minutes to set up. Several photographers have recommended I check out the Lastolite Ezybox. So I took the plunge, and got the Lastolite Hot Shoe EZYBOX Softbox Kit (24″x24″) (B&H).

I’m impressed with how easy it is to set up, and how compact it is. There are no metal rods to insert. The softbox flips open, held into place by internal plastic ribs, typical of the Lastolite reflectors. It is lightweight because of this lack of metal rods and other metal parts. The clamp holding the softbox to the light stand or monopod, is mostly made of plastic. Even the speedring is made of plastic.

The cold-shoe for the speedlight can swivel around and lock into different positions. This makes it perfect if you use wireless TTL flash, and need to turn the slave flash around so that the sensor faces your master speedlight.

The speedring simply clips into position. The setup is very simple, although we’ll have to see how durable it will be. The softbox and clamps and speedring all fits into a surprisingly compact zippered bag.

Details for the images:
1/250 @ f5.6 @ 200 ISO for both images.
I used wireless TTL flash for the entire session. My on-camera / master speedlight’s output was disabled, only firing the slave flash held with the softbox.
Flash exposure compensation: 1st image, -0.3EV // 2nd image, -1EV
Nikon D3; Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 AF-S II (B&H); Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 AF-S (B&H)

Here is the link if you’d like to order the Lastolite Hot Shoe EZYBOX Softbox Kit (24″x24″) (B&H)

more equipment reviews …

50 Comments »

Nice review Neil. I have always wondered about that Lastolite Ezybox. I am using a Westcott and it’s a pain to open up every time I need to change the flash settings.

Thanks for posting this review.

Comment by Tom K. — June 6, 2010 @ 2:27 pm
Hi Neil

Been using a brace of these for a few years now and uber impressed with them. I especially like how the second diffusion screen really softens the lightsource.

Comment by Paul Hodgson — June 6, 2010 @ 5:03 pm
Hi Neil,
I was looking at this via the B&H link. It says that there is a SB-900 adapter for this, but one of the B&H reviews said that the adapter was not needed. Does the SB-900 attach to the EZYBOX out of the box? (sorry for the unintended pun)

Comment by Stephen — June 6, 2010 @ 7:44 pm
Stephan .. the double cold-shoe for the speedlight has two places you can slide the speedlight foot into. The one is very tight and I couldn’t get the SB-900 foot in. The other one seems to be designed for a fatter foot like the SB-900. So I don’t think the adapter is necessary. But you would have to figure out which end the SB-900 fits better. I’m going to mark mine with a black marker for future.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — June 6, 2010 @ 7:50 pm
Utter simplicity compared to the alternatives, eh? The magic comes in the aiming, angling and feathering.

Sean

Comment by Sean S — June 6, 2010 @ 7:58 pm
the first image is absolutely stunning.

one cheap option (15×15 though):
RPS Studio Softbox for Shoe-Mount Flash Units

The westcott apollo is also easy to setup i hear (and is cheaper than the lastolite)

Comment by Derryl — June 6, 2010 @ 10:04 pm
Hi there Derryl .. thanks! The problem with the Westcott Apollo, is that the speedlight is inside the unit. So wireless TTL is a problem unless you use Radio Poppers.

The type of softbox here the speedlight is mounted outside, makes it so much easier to adjust the flash.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — June 6, 2010 @ 10:16 pm
I got one of these about 6 weeks ago. I LOVE IT!!! You’re right about just popping it open and off you go.

Comment by Sean Farrow — June 7, 2010 @ 1:33 am
Is it really any faster to set up and tear down than the 24×32 litedome? I mean, I keep the rods in my softbox, so all I have to do to set it up is pop the 4 rods into the speedring, which takes like 10 seconds. Then I just attach my speedlight to the ring by sticking the head into a tight weave of bungee cords that also stay permanantly on the ring. It’s really very fast, lightweight, and secure, and a lot cheaper. Plus if it falls over, the flash doesn’t get damaged because it’s not attached by its foot.

Just curious. I wonder if getting chimera’s quick release speed ring would make setup/tear down even faster.

Comment by Bill — June 7, 2010 @ 8:40 am
I use the Apollo, and CLS works fine through the box- I’ve never had problems getting it to fire. The criticism about having to open up the box to get to your flash is valid, though I do flash compensation on the camera anyway.

Comment by Chip — June 7, 2010 @ 8:47 am
Hi Neil,

Can you comment on how you achieve wireless TTL? Is this a feature on the new SB900 flash units without the need of Pocket Wizards and such?

I’m actually a canon user and was wondering how I can do wireless TTL. And maybe how I can have a 580EX II on-camera but have the flexibility of only firing an off-camera flash (not necessarily a canon flash) that has PW receiver on it.

I do have a MiniTT1 that i tried putting the 580EX on…

BIG THANKS IN ADVANCE!

Comment by shahn — June 7, 2010 @ 12:28 pm
Shahn … you have the same feature with the Canon speedlights. You set one to master, and the other to slave. You then control the master flash from your camera to fire the slave (or slaves).

It is simplicity itself with the SB-900

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — June 7, 2010 @ 12:31 pm
Hi Neil, nice to see this review. Fantastic shots btw. I’ve had my 24″ Ezybox Hotshoe kit for maybe a bit over a year now. I think they must have re-designed the flash mount since then, as mine is all metal. It’s not particularly heavy, but it’s definitely not what is shown in the images on the B&H page. I also don’t think the older version allows the cold-shoe to swivel, but I could be wrong. I normally use this with a Canon 540ez or 580exII, and a cactus v4 wireless trigger. On the 540ez I use the hotshoe mount, on the 580 I use the sync (?) cord. Either configuration works fine, and the flashes are easy to position.

Comment by Jim S. — June 7, 2010 @ 1:35 pm
Thank you again, Neil.

Did you happen to test and see how much light this box “eats”?

Comment by Daniel Sullivan — June 8, 2010 @ 9:55 am
compared to?

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — June 8, 2010 @ 11:01 am
Neil,

What pole/monopod are you using to mount the softbox to?

~Erick

Comment by Erick — June 8, 2010 @ 1:48 pm
Very nice review Neil. Just wondering – there are pieces of velcro visible on the outside of the softbox… what are they for? Attachments of some kind?

Comment by tom — June 8, 2010 @ 2:55 pm
I assumed the strips on the outside is for when you want to remove the outer baffle temporarily. You just loosen it on three sides .. but instead of letting it wave like a flag from the bottom end of the softbox, you hook the loose edge of the baffle to the velcro strip on the outside. It helps control it.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — June 8, 2010 @ 3:17 pm
Neil,
Is this model your assistant with attitude, Jessica, shown here?
Her arm tattoo looks similar in both.

Comment by Stephen — June 8, 2010 @ 4:45 pm
Great light. Who is the model? She looks gorgeous.

Comment by David — June 9, 2010 @ 4:45 am
Yup, the model is Jessica, my assistant with an attitude. (Don’t tell anyone, but she’s actually really nice. And one of the best models I’ve worked with.)

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — June 10, 2010 @ 2:43 am
Hi Neil,

Love that softbox, shall have to get one.

I have 2 questions. I don’t think I have seen it mentioned before on your site, so forgive is previously stated.

I am shooting 1D MkIIIs and 5D MkII

1] Picture Style used. Standard or?
2] Do you adjust any of the ‘styles’ and/or colour adjustments.

Thanks, Adrian.

Comment by Adrian — June 10, 2010 @ 8:26 pm
Hi there Adrian ..

With the Canon cameras I use the Standard Picture Style, but bump up the Saturation and Contrast one notch each. But this only has an effect if I use DPP as my processing software. Lightroom / ACR & Bridge … disregard these camera settings, so the specific image settings are moot then.

I most often do adjust the images further than the default settings.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — June 11, 2010 @ 2:10 pm
I always thought that the Ezybox was only good for head and shoulder or head to waist portraits. I wonder how you set the Ezybox for those execellent full lenght photos?

Comment by Jose — June 12, 2010 @ 1:13 pm
Jose .. I did wonder about that as well, since my previous softbox was 24×32 and I always made sure to turn the softbox the same direction (horizontal / vertical), as I was holding my camera. So the smaller 24×24 size was something I did wonder about.

Part of the explanation might be that we’re visually okay with some gradual light fall-off to the bottom of the portrait. In fact, we even want that often enough for companies like Westcott to have created an Asymmetrical Strip Bank (B&H). You often want that fall off to the bottom, accentuating the top part of the portrait. Here is a blog post where I described using the Asymmetrical Strip Bank.

Back to the Ezybox, it does seem like the diffusion is really good in scattering the light .. and in pulling the softbox back a bit, I get a fairly even spread of light, as you can see in the to image here, and on this next image.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — June 13, 2010 @ 2:21 pm
[...] review: Lastolite Ezybox (model: Jess B) articles [...]

Pingback by off-camera lighting – bringing sparkle on a rainy day « Neil vN – tangents — June 14, 2010 @ 11:53 pm
can you post the affiliate link to purchase the monopod you used to support EZYBOX set up? thanks!

and, do you have a review and/or affiliate link to a setup you use for when you have more daylight? What option do you go with now-a-days, when the Speedlight inside the softbox is just not enough light? Do you still use the Q-Flash? And, what is the setup on that? Thanks so much!

Amanda

Comment by Amanda — June 25, 2010 @ 3:48 pm
Hi there Amanda and Erick

I use the Manfrotto 680B monopod (B&H), but there are other monopods which might be slightly lighter.

Then I also use the Manfrotto quick-release plate (B&H), to keep the softbox attached to the monopod.

You have to use some kind of stud to attach the softbox to the quick release plate.

Comment by Neil vN — June 30, 2010 @ 4:44 pm
I do still use the Q-flash, but I find that the Lastolite Ezybox is so easy to carry around, and light, and quick to set up, that I use it more often now. And the speedlight gives enough light, except when you work in hard direct sunlight. But even then, the Q-flash wouldn’t be adequate when used with a softbox.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — June 30, 2010 @ 6:57 pm
I had been considering a 28″ Apollo when I ran across this. Then, when looking for more info about the Ezybox, ran across the Cheetah Qbox 24, for a lot less money and with metal mounting bracket for the flash & speed ring. Do you have any experience with the Cheetah QBox?

Comment by Bob — July 1, 2010 @ 11:39 pm
Bob, sorry, I don’t have any experience with the Cheetah Qbox.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — July 7, 2010 @ 4:52 pm
Neil

I got a Lastolite Hot Shoe EZYBOX Softbox Kit (24×24)and a Monopod with Quick relese plate yesterday but unfortunatly i couldnt find the attachment to connect the Monopod Quick relese plate to Softbox hardware . could you please send me a link of this item? any experience of a 18 x 18 Lasolite EZYBOX? is it suitable for a Onlocation shooting?
Anoop

Comment by Anoop Nair — July 14, 2010 @ 10:18 am
Hi there Anoop, sorry, I neglected to mention that you’d need a stud of some kind to attach the softbox to the quick release plate. I’ve updated my previous comment to show this, but here are the items:

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — July 14, 2010 @ 11:53 am
Neil

Thanks i found the attachement for the Softbox and bought it.Whats your openion about Lastolite Hot Shoe EZYBOX Softbox Kit – 15×15″ (38x38cm)
is it suitable for a Onlocation shooting? I like the size,and its easy to carry.
Anoop

Comment by Anoop Nair — July 17, 2010 @ 8:00 am
Anoop, I haven’t done any comparisons, and I also don’t own the 15″x15″. Sorry, can’t help you there.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — July 18, 2010 @ 4:02 am
Hi Neil,
I just got this Ezybox today. It comes with two white sheets: a large and a small. The larger white sheet attaches to the velcro lines that are just inside the softbox. However, I have no idea where to attach the smaller sheet, which only has velcro strips on the corners of the sheet. I was at the Lastolite website, but I didn’t see any video or manual that shows what to do with this smaller sheet. Can you help?

Comment by Stephen — July 18, 2010 @ 10:48 pm
Stephen, the smaller diffuser is the inner baffle. There are 4 small velcro strips inside. Attach the corners of the baffle to these points.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — July 18, 2010 @ 10:54 pm
Neil,
Thank you for pointing out those smaller velcro strips inside the softbox. I mistook those strips for label tags and never inspected them closely. I have my 2 baffles set up now. :-)

Comment by Stephen — July 18, 2010 @ 11:11 pm
Neil

Thanks for your kind help i will stick with the larger size softbox. i got a question… after firing the Flash i can see a -2EV or someting similer on the righ top corner of flash LCD and the picture is underexposed. does it means i need to increse the +2 Stops or flash exposure or my picture is -2 stops underexposed? your advise will be appreciated
Thanks
Anoop

Comment by Anoop Nair — July 19, 2010 @ 8:42 am
Anoop .. that’s an indication your flash thinks you are 2 stops under-exposed. I’m not sure why +2 stops on the FEC would cure the problem of the flash showing under-exposure though.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — July 19, 2010 @ 3:33 pm
Neil
Sorry my mistake I mean +2 stop on camera via ISO,Shutterspeed,or Aperture so can get the correct exposure. iam i correct? . one more thing for a correctly exposed image if i apply +1 FEC on flash how the picture will be effected?
Thanks
Anoop

Comment by Anoop Nair — July 20, 2010 @ 10:22 am
If your ambient exposure for your subject is already correct, then adding +1 FEC will most likely result in over-exposure.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — July 21, 2010 @ 9:02 pm
Hi Neil!

Ive been admireing your shots here – brilliant as usual!

I would like to ask if you set the Zoom on Flash to 105mm when on location with or without the Softbox.

Mike.

Comment by Mike — August 3, 2010 @ 3:20 pm
Mike, I keep my flash zoomed to around 50mm. I’m not meticulous about it though. With the double baffle of the softbox, I suspect the light is soft anyway. I wonder though if a test between 24mm and 105mm will show a substantial difference in the softness of the light. I might have to test it and see.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — August 3, 2010 @ 11:14 pm
Thanks Neil for your nice and informative review, though I couldn’t afford this softbox. I did purchase the Cheetah Qbox 24″ instead because the price is about half compared to Lastolite Ezybox. I am glad that everything came similarly and plus for the metal bracket as mentioned above. Two white sheets, small (internal baffle) for diffused light and make light lit even on the 24″ panel. Though everything seemed to be similar, except for the price. Has anyone here compared the result of these two softbox? I would guess they are similar :)

Comment by emeraldplanet — August 3, 2010 @ 11:32 pm
How do you do the last fold and twist so it goes back into the bag? If it were circular at that stage, it’d be cake. Everything else is really straightforward and I am quite pleased with it (just picked it up from B&H using your link, if all went as planned).

Thanks

Comment by Leif — August 6, 2010 @ 12:18 pm
Update, sorry. I was able to kind of munge it together into three lobes, and once those are flattened, it easily fits in the bag. I’m quite happy with the build quality; everything is nicely stitched and overall it has a surprisingly solid feel. I’m pleased that the spring frame doesn’t bind at all, thanks to semi-elastic fabric surrounding it. Nice touch.

Comment by Leif — August 6, 2010 @ 12:45 pm
Make sure you remove the baffles before collapsing the softbox – that makes it easier. You may take heart in this but it took me a lot if tries before I could even collapse the normal Lastolite reflector.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — August 6, 2010 @ 1:25 pm
If it helps anyone, I found this Ezybox folding video on Lastolite’s website, although the demonstrator folds the Ezybox with the baffles still attached.

http://www.lastoliteschoolofphotography.com/folding-the-ezybox

Comment by Stephen — August 6, 2010 @ 10:58 pm
Of note is that a 580 EX II sitting atop a TT5 and the AC5 grounding shoe adapter is far too tall to fit through the hole in the back of the Ezybox. I inquired at Lastolite and was told they’re considering a redesign of the “lollypop”. For the short term, that doesn’t at all help those of us with that equipment. Some kind of L bracket that makes the whole thing mount sideways might be a nice workaround.

@Stephen, thanks. That is *way* better.

Comment by Leif — August 11, 2010 @ 1:55 pm