{"id":15817,"date":"2013-07-19T01:20:54","date_gmt":"2013-07-19T05:20:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neilvn.com\/tangents\/?p=15817"},"modified":"2019-04-01T01:40:42","modified_gmt":"2019-04-01T05:40:42","slug":"review-westcott-rapid-box-26-octa-softbox","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neilvn.com\/tangents\/review-westcott-rapid-box-26-octa-softbox\/","title":{"rendered":"review: Westcott Rapid Box – 26″ Octa Softbox"},"content":{"rendered":"

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review: Westcott Rapid Box – 26″ Octa Softbox<\/h1>\n

The Westcott Rapidbox – 26″ Octa Softbox<\/a>\u00a0(B&H<\/a> \/ Amazon<\/a>)<\/em>\u00a0caught my attention, even among the huge variety of light modifiers available for off-camera speedlights. I bought one of these softboxes to try out at the most recent\u00a0on-location photography lighting workshop<\/a>\u00a0in New York. And I like it a lot!<\/p>\n

It is relatively fast to set up, and collapses to a compact size and comes in a handy carry bag.<\/p>\n

Here is another photograph, with the\u00a0comparative shot at the same camera settings, that shows exactly what impact the light had in the final image. For me, there’s just the right amount of contrast with wrap-around light. I like this softbox a lot!<\/p>\n

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Just look at the awesome light on Anelisa<\/a>, one of our models at the\u00a0workshop!
\n1\/250 @ f\/5.6 @ 100 ISO
\n1st image: \u00a0TTL flash via the Westcott Rapid Box.
\nNikon D4; Nikon 24-70mm f2.8G AF-S<\/a>\u00a0(affiliate)\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0@ 40mm<\/p>\n

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Features of the Westcott Rapid Box series<\/h2>\n

The Westcott Rapidbox – 26″ Octa Softbox<\/a>\u00a0(B&H<\/a>\u00a0\/\u00a0Amazon<\/a>)<\/em>,\u00a0is compact<\/strong> when it folds up, and comes in a handy carry bag<\/strong>. (Lastolite changed from the compact bag to the large triangular pouch. A big minus.) The carry bag has enough space for a speedlight and your favorite set of wireless triggers.<\/p>\n

The Westcott Rapid Box is also easy to set up<\/strong>, with no rods and speed-ring like traditional softboxes. It folds open like an umbrella. Similar-ish to the Westcott Apollo<\/a>\u00a0(affiliate<\/em>), but simpler. And unlike the Apollo, you can actually reach your speedlight to adjust it, since it sits on the outside.<\/p>\n

The Rapid Box also feels sturdy<\/strong> and well-made.<\/p>\n

One potential negative of the Westcott Rapid Box series, is that the shaft and mechanism that unfolds the softbox, blocks some of the light of your speedlight.<\/p>\n

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Now we get to an interesting feature of the\u00a0Westcott Rapid Box Octa Softboxes\u00a0– you can take the outer diffusion layer off, and add a Westcott deflector plate for Rapidbox<\/a>\u00a0(affiliate<\/em>)\u00a0which turns this into a beauty dish. The images at the top were with the diffuser over the front of the Rapid Box, which made it a proper softbox.<\/p>\n

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The image below was with the diffusion cover off, and with the Deflector Plate in position. The light is definitely less diffused, but this works for me too!<\/p>\n

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1\/250 @ f\/5.6 @ 400 ISO\u00a0 … TTL flash at -0.7 FEC
\nNikon D4;\u00a0\u00a0Nikon 14-24mm f\/2.8G AF-S<\/a>\u00a0(affiliate<\/em>)\u00a0\u00a0@ 19mm
\n1st image:\u00a0TTL flash via the Westcott Rapid Box, and Deflector Plate.<\/p>\n

And with that, the Westcott Rapidbox – 26′ Octa Softbox<\/a>\u00a0(affiliate<\/em>) is a very versatile light modifier for an off-camera speedlight. The ease of setting it up, and that is so portable, and being light-weight yet sturdy, all means this is going to be the softbox I use for my flash photography workshops in future. Oh, and as light modifiers go, it is quite affordable.<\/p>\n

Also check out\u00a0thoughts on using a beauty dish (light modifier)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Westcott Rapid Box range<\/h2>\n