softboxes with speedlights « Neil vN

Up until recently, I’ve been using the small Photoflex Litedome Q39 (16×22) (B&H) at my flash photography workshops. However, since I try to instill the idea that the larger your lightsource, the softer the light, a larger softbox became necessary. I therefore managed to re-arrange the lighting case that I travel with when I present the workshops, and now use two of the medium Photoflex Litedome Q39 (24×32) softboxes (B&H), instead of the small ones.

Aside from the size, what makes the medium sized Q39 better than the smaller version, is the additional baffle inside that diffuses the light even more. But frustration with the flimsiness of the Photoflex Connector had me looking at alternatives. (The Photoflex Connector is the one that keeps the Speedlight mounted to the softboxes’ speedring.)

After looking at various options, I settled on the Westcott Magic Slipper (B&H), designed by Bruce Dorn. Although it is spendy, and a little more bulky than I would’ve preferred, it is sturdy. Solid. And better yet, simplicity itself in setting up. (The Magic Slipper also comes with an umbrella clamp which I don’t use in this specific setup.)

This configuration of the better design of the Magic Slipper made a big difference at the most recent workshops I presented, in allowing me and my assistant to assemble the items much faster than before. In the end, a slight rethinking of the other bits & pieces I take with me, allowed me to still keep the light-case under 49 lbs and not be hit by the overweight charges from the airlines. phew!

The one thing that I did change with the Magic Slipper, is that I replaced the hotshoe with the better built Nikon AS-10 flash adapter. (B&H)

Now both softbox assemblies that I use at the workshops will each consist of the monopod, a Manfrotto quick release .. on which rests a Magic Slipper, with a Nikon AS-10 holding the speedlight in position to emit light into the medium Q30 softbox.

Here is a close-up shot of the Magic Slipper. Click on the photo to bring up a larger image.

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54 Comments »

Neil,

I love this setup. I am using the very same equipment except for a couple of items. Might I suggest that if you are not using the PC connector on the Nikon hot shoe, why not try the Stroboframe cold shoe. It’s only $10 instead of $40. I would like to know which mounting ring you have pictured for your medium softbox. The only one I have is the plastic one that’s made for the XS softbox.

Cheers, Randall

Comment by Randall — November 15, 2008 @ 7:39 pm
Randall ..

The mounting ring (speedring) comes as part of the Magic Slipper kit.

The main reason why I used the (more expensive) Nikon AS-10 shoe, is that I happen to have two of those in my big box of odds and ends where I throw in all the extra cables and connectors and things. Thank you for the suggestion of a cheaper alternative!

Neil vN

Comment by Neil — November 16, 2008 @ 1:06 pm
That looks super study…but after checking the price on the magic slipper it had BETTER be! That is one expensive bit of aluminum. That said, I can certainly see the value of using it for larger/heavier soft boxes. I’m currently using the Lasolite EZbox. That setup is certainly not inexpensive either and ultimately not as versatile as yours. Thanks for sharing the details.

Alan B.

Comment by Alan B. — November 16, 2008 @ 4:49 pm
Very nice setup. I have been looking at some alternatives myself and this should be something which might suit my needs.

Comment by Pascal — November 17, 2008 @ 7:28 am
Neil,

The link to B&H for the Westcott slipper says that they are “accepting orders.” Is this a new version of the product you have?

Also, do you have any specific model of the Manfrotto monopod you recommend? You don’t seem to list monopods/tripods on your gear page.

Thanks!

Comment by Stephen T. — November 17, 2008 @ 1:32 pm
Stephen … I must have taken the last two off the shelf at B&H then. : )

There is a variety of monopods out, and surprisingly, they do vary.
afaik, the ones I use are the simple Manfrotto 676B Digi Monopod. (B&H)

Neil vN

Comment by Neil — November 17, 2008 @ 6:05 pm
Hello Neil,
I’m using the photoflex X-Small box but wanted to upgrade to the medium size to soften the light a bit more. Do you find that the 580 will provide enough light for this box? When I called Adorama to order it, I was discouraged from doing so with the rep saying my 580 wasn’t powerful enough to use with the medium box.

Many Thanks,
Scott

Comment by Scott — November 17, 2008 @ 8:22 pm
Scott ..

There will be a reduction in effective power with a larger softbox. Which means you’ll have to move the softbox closer, or alternately, not be able to shoot in as bright conditions as with the smaller box.

It’s a trade-off. But I do prefer the larger softbox since it gives softer light, and the loss in range doesn’t affect me except in bright sunlight.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil — November 18, 2008 @ 3:12 am
Hi Neil,
Two more questions:

1) Do you know if the Nikon AS-10 fits on a SB-900? I ask because as you mentioned during the workshop that the SB-900′s foot piece is actually different from the SB-800′s foot piece. I could not fit the SB-900 mount on the SB-800′s foot piece.

2) At the workshop, you mounted the softbox set up on a stand for the indoor session. The stand was neither a monopod or tripod. What do you call that stand, so I can look for it later?

Thanks.

Comment by Stephen T. — November 18, 2008 @ 2:30 pm
Stephen .. the Nikon AS-10 does fit the SB-900.

The lightstand I had at the workshop is the Red-Wing, which has been discontinued. However a similar design light-stand can be found made as Kwik-Stand.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil — November 18, 2008 @ 10:22 pm
Hey Neil,

I’m just curious if this Magic Slipper is used only for softboxes and other light modifiers that require speedrings. I’m not too familiar with my softbox terminology but I have heard of the Photek Softliter and the Wescott Apollo softbox which are based on umbrella frames and don’t need speedrings so it doesn’t sound like this Magic Slipper would be necessarily useful.

http://www.juliagreerphotography.com/sb-800-article.htm

Comment by drew — November 19, 2008 @ 7:07 pm
Drew, you’re quite correct. You wouldn’t need an attachment like the Magic Slipper if you prefer using the Westcott Apollo or the Photek Softliter.

What makes the Apollo and Softliter more clumsy to use though, is that your speedlight is enclosed. This makes changing of settings tough if you’re busy shooting.

A setup like the Magic Slipper with a softbox and speedring, allows you easy access to the controls on the speedlight.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil — November 20, 2008 @ 10:24 pm
[...] a bit with some of the Totally Rad Actions. And here’s the link for the details on the softbox set-ups that are used in the [...]

Pingback by planet neil - tangents » It’s a Glam thing .. — May 17, 2009 @ 12:14 am
Everytime I get into your website for information I can’t get up from my computer. Really, Really great information. I am new at this so please be with me. I am looking to purchase a Softbox maybe a 30×40 inches or so. I know from the link posted by Drew that I need the Softbox, Speedring, lightstand and my Speedlight SB-600. Now, I see on your photo, that you have sometipe of Slave? I was plannng to buy the SU-800 and another SB-600 or use the one I have for the mean time. But Iknow there also cables and slaves that could be less expensive. Can you be so kind and and tell me what type of cable TTL can I use with my SB-600 and my Nikon D60. Its kind of confusing….to say the least.

Thank you
Antonio

Comment by Antonio — May 20, 2009 @ 10:39 am
Neil, through my readings I found out that some photographers say that the Sb-600 lacks the power to be use with Softboxes? Is this size limited? I though that maybe with a 24×24 softbox will work fine.

Antonio

Comment by Antonio — May 20, 2009 @ 12:44 pm
Antonio, you could use the Nikon SU-800 (B&H), but that does bring in a limitation in how you position yourself in relation to the receiver. You need to stay more or less line-of-sight.

Honestly, I wouldn’t buy another SB-600 .. but rather a more powerful flashgun. If you are going to use it as an on-camera flash, then the SB-900 makes most sense. If you’re only going to use it as an off-camera manual flash, then an older speedlight like the SB-25 would be cheaper alternative.

At some point in the future you are going to need a wireless transmitter / receiver set. Right now however, there are more choices than before, and the decision less clear .. whether to go with the older PocketWizards or the newer generation of PocketWizards, or RadioPoppers .. or just the wireless TTL flash controllers made by the camera manufacturers.

The simplest option would be the older PocketWizards. They are reliable and just work.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil — May 21, 2009 @ 9:25 am
Hi Neil,

I really like your softbox setup and am currently gathering bits and pieces to make something similar myself. There’s just one thing that interests me: How do you transport your gear? Disassembly of the softbox seems easy enough, but you still need some case for it.

Thanks,
Tobi

Comment by Tobi — May 22, 2009 @ 10:06 am
Tobi … I keep my lighting gear in a Tamrac roller case which is tall enough to hold umbrellas and light-stands.
I do have to disassemble the speedring from the Magic Slipper to make it fit into the case.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil — May 24, 2009 @ 10:02 pm
Hi Neil,

What is the differance between a soft box and shooting through an umbrella ? Is it only light spilover ?

thanks
Derek

Comment by Derek — June 8, 2009 @ 10:58 am
Derek .. it mostly has to do with how well you can contain the light from your flash. With an umbrella there is more spill on the background and areas surrounding the umbrella and flash.

But this might make a good topic for a future blog posting here.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil — June 8, 2009 @ 11:20 am
Hi Neil or anyone else,

Just wanted to clarify as I’ve been a bit confused. For my benefit and others on the forum, here’s my understanding.

A.) To use a off-camera flash in manual mode.

1.) one could buy older flashes (like SB25..for $75 on EBay) or newer flashes (like SB900 which retail for $450)

2.) use older versions (or newer) versions of Pocket Wizards

B.) To use off-camera flash in TTL mode;

1.) one would need to use newer flashes (like SB900). Older flashes like SB25 won’t work in TTL mode.

AND

2.) one could use a sync cord such as SC28 or 29 (but one has the inconvenience of being tethered…running the risk of knocking over flashes, lightstands etc.)

or

3.) one could buy an Infra-red flash controller such as the SU-800.

Just curious, couldn’t the camera (such as D300) just act as the controller for an SB900 flash on a lightstand? Why would one need to purchase the SU800 for $250.

or

3.) one needs to use the latest Pocket Wizards or Radio Poppers that support TTL (however, I’ve read teething problems with the latest PW’s that are supposed to do this). This would be the way to go if/when the TTL capability is reliable, right?

The older versions of PW’s are reliable but won’t provide TTL metering so the flash would only work in manual mode. Right?

Hope above is correct. Please someone correct me if I am misunderstanding this.

Thanks
Ernst

is limited to a sync cord like SC28 or 29

Comment by ernst — June 8, 2009 @ 1:51 pm
Ernst, you’ve nailed it there. You really have that many options to choose from.

These are good days to be a photographer! So many toys.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil — June 10, 2009 @ 4:22 am
Neil,

I recently purchased the Magic Slipper w/ Speedring for my Medium Lite Dome. Maybe I’m being thick, but the speedring that came with the Magic Slipper doesn’t seem compatible with the softbox. What am I missing? Thanks and I really appreciate all the great info on this site.

Steven

Comment by Steven — June 27, 2009 @ 5:42 pm
Never mind. Newbie mistake. Just had to force it :)

Comment by Steven — June 27, 2009 @ 7:30 pm
Hi there Steven … you’ve probably figured out now that it isn’t so much that you have to use force, but that you have to flex the spines to get them to fit into the speed-ring.

There’s a bit of a trick to it that gets easier with practice.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil — June 28, 2009 @ 2:26 pm
[...] I added flash from a Q-flash in a softbox off to my right – a similar set-up to this one, but with a Q-flash instead of a speedlight. The Q-flash is also TTL-controlled by the Quantum Freewire system, as shown here in this post on [...]

Pingback by planet neil – tangents » the progression of an idea .. — July 3, 2009 @ 11:12 pm
Is that wire a 2.5mm mono jack on one end and a PC Sync connection on the other? My Elinchrom Skyport didn’t come with one and I want to wirelessly trigger my Speelite without needing to purchase a ST-E2 Transmitter.

Comment by Amanda Tang — July 7, 2009 @ 4:21 pm
Amanda check here for those unique flash cords.

http://www.flashzebra.com/

Hope that helps

Comment by Bob Miller — July 7, 2009 @ 11:54 pm
Neil

Thanks again for these great posts.

How small does the medium photoflex multidome softbox fold down to. Do you out it inside your roller bag or strap it to the front.

Comment by Jason Smith — July 8, 2009 @ 3:25 am
Jason, it comes in a carry bag that is about 26 inches long. I’ve attached a shoulder strap for it and that’s how I (or my assistant) carry it around.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil — July 10, 2009 @ 6:06 pm
Hi Neil,

I just saw a new product that might be quite interesting: Creative Light has a Speedring for speedlights that offers full rotation of the softbox. It looks quite sturdy, though I’ve never actually handled one.

Tobi

Comment by Tobi — August 11, 2009 @ 5:49 am
Hi Neil

Thank you for this post. My questions is related to larger group photos taken in the evening. What size softbox would you recommend? maybe even 2?

Comment by Vanessa Hall — October 20, 2009 @ 8:55 am
For larger group shots, I’d prefer to use 60″ umbrellas, and usually two of them.
There’s some explanation of that in this thread on lighting the wedding formals.

However, two medium sized softboxes would do the trick as well. But umbrellas would be easier to set up.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil — October 23, 2009 @ 3:45 am
Hey Neil

One question about your choice of using softboxes during an outdoor session, how do they react during wind gusts? Are they steadier then using umbrellas instead, or do you always add some weight to your stand?

Jan

Comment by Jan — February 10, 2010 @ 5:40 am
The softboxes react well. It’s my poor assistant who holds the softbox up on a monopod who suffers. ; )

Neil vN

Comment by Neil — February 10, 2010 @ 9:59 am
Hello Neil, thank you so much for all your invaluble information! I’m looking to do this to utilize my flash instead of strobes, everything I shoot (boudoir and portraits) are all done on-location and with all my accesories and backdrops I have enough to lug around. Thanks again.
Cheryl

Comment by Cheryl Havens — March 18, 2010 @ 7:47 am
Hello Neil or Anyone who owns the Westcott Magic Slipper…

Just wondering if you guys can tell me if the magic slipper can possibly hold a 22″ beauty dish. I have a speedotron 22″ inch beauty dish and this is the closest product that I have found on using the dish with strobes or a sunpak 120j. I wonder if it can hold the weight of the dish.

PS. If you guys know of any product I would really appreciate it.

Thank You,
Victor

Comment by Victor — April 21, 2010 @ 2:44 am
Victor, the Magic Slipper is very sturdy, and I have no doubt it would be able to hold a beauty dish.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — April 21, 2010 @ 10:48 am
Pardon my ignorance but can this magic slipper be used on most softboxes? I have 2 from Paul Buff a 32″x40″ and 30″ x 60″. Not sure how the Westcott ring is used along with the ring that comes with the softbox.

Please break it down for me.

Thanks, Ed…

Comment by Ed K. — April 27, 2010 @ 1:26 pm
Ed, I’m not familiar with the Paul Buff products, but the Westcott speedring is quite standard, so I am sure it will fit most designs.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — April 27, 2010 @ 1:52 pm
I just ran across this video with an ingenious way of doing this. Much cheaper as well: http://vimeo.com/5652573

Comment by Tom K. — June 26, 2010 @ 2:24 am
Tom,

One of the drawbacks to that setup is that the flash is contained inside the softbox. Any adjustments made to the flash would require getting you hand into the softbox. There are fairly inexpensive products out there that place the flash inside the softbox. Again, the limitation being the fact that you can’t easily get to the flash to make adjustments.

Comment by Randy R. — August 5, 2010 @ 10:36 am
hi Neil

I am reading through all your posts here and have ordered your book which i cant wait to get into, my question is the setups you use look great and id love to buy everything youve mentioned so far but i didnt want to spend $300-400 on my first softbox setup, i guess my question is the local camera house here has a small softbox setup with stand and mount for about $150 id be guessing but the size of the box is probably 12×12, would i be wasting my money buy getting such a small soft box, or would it be a good thing to have multiple sizes and a good place to start learning how to use a soft box.

I am currently using an Olympus E-3 and FL50R with a gary fong difuser (on and off camera) I mainly only shoot a few friends weddings and since i became a father 3 months ago Baby portraits.

Also just a question for any other Auzzies out there have you ordered much from the B&H store and were you hit with any taxes from customs, i cant believe how cheap things are over there!

Kind Regards

Anthony (Adelaide SA)

Comment by Anthony — August 17, 2010 @ 2:36 am
Hi Neil,
i have purchased the new PW’sFlex’s,which is the best softbox hot shoe mount to use for these,they add around another inch to the stack height with your flash.

Many thanks.

Comment by Wayne — February 26, 2011 @ 4:39 am
Hey Wayne,
I too was wondering the same thing. Just to let you know I just purchased the lastolite ezybox 24 x 24 for use with the tt5 and nikon sb800 and sb900. It works great. I contacted Lastolite before I made the purchase to be sure. They told me that they just redesigned them in the last 6 months to accommodate the radio triggers. They said to be sure to get the latest version with a longer lollipop.
I’m sure Niel will have other info for you but that has been my experience.

Patty

Comment by pattyd — February 26, 2011 @ 1:25 pm
Wayne and Patty .. I’ve noticed the stem of my Lastolite Ezybox softbox is just barely not tall enough with the FlexTT5 added. But I heard there are newer versions out of the Lastolite Ezybox with a taller stem for the bracket.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — February 28, 2011 @ 1:19 am
Neil, what is the cord for that is connected to the flash then hangs down out of the picture. Does that cord get connected to the camera?

Comment by Ed Kelley — May 19, 2011 @ 12:49 pm
The cord you see going downwards, is for the battery pack. An essential item.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — May 20, 2011 @ 2:27 am
Are you able to mount the TT5 on the Magic Slipper? If so, is there an issue with the positioning of the SB-900 in relation to the speedring when mounted on top of the TT5?

Comment by PhilW — July 12, 2011 @ 3:39 pm
Phil, I haven’t used the TT5 on the Magic Slipper yet, but with a quick check it looks like the speedlight might be a touch too tall. Perhaps an off-camera cord which goes to the TT5 (mounted towards the back of the slipper), might be a solution?

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — July 13, 2011 @ 6:03 am
Well I bought the magic slipper with softbox but have a question. What shoe mount are you using for the pocketwizard? Is it the shoemount from you SB900? I use SB800 so if you are I’m all set.

Comment by Ed Kelley — July 26, 2011 @ 1:18 pm
I use one of those plastic shoes that come with the speedlights.
Also check out the Frio coldshoe mount.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — July 27, 2011 @ 4:50 am
Very informative stuff here. Can you tell a newb whether most softboxes have a set number of spines that go into the ring, or does that vary? And if there is much variation, I’m wondering how one tells whether a given softbox will work on the slipper if one relies on the sometimes inadequate info on online web stores. Thanks.

Comment by Dan Foster — September 4, 2011 @ 2:37 pm
Dan … most, if not all (?) softboxes use 4 spines to keep the softbox open and boxy. (The Lastolite softboxes are obviously a complete rethink on this and don’t even need the metal rods.)

The magic slipper will work with pretty much anything that you can screw onto the plate.

Where you need to be attentive is whether the speed-ring will fit your softbox. But there are many universal speed rings on the market with a number of holes for the rods.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — September 4, 2011 @ 3:47 pm