Looking for suggestion for softbox to use with 5400HS

[Stepney]

Hi,

I am taking on a personal project to set up home studio for family portrait type of shooting.

From the reading, softbox may be required to diffuse and soften the flash light.

Do you have any suggestion on how this can be done, either DIY or using off-the-shelf accessories?

thanks.

 

[hoppinghippo]

That's a very interesting proj, do let us know how it goes!

and here's my suggestion: the flash will will quite a narrow beam of light when the light first comes out of the flash, so any softbox DIYed on the flash has to take this into a acc. ie. if you put a white cloth or plastic in front of the flash to act as a soft box, chances are only the centre of the "box" will be strongly illuminated. either you place the material quite a distance away from the flash (then it'll have to be quite big, maybe buy those huge while plastic translucent sheets from bookshops) or use an umbrella with reflective inner surface (can find these around, the inside is silvered, or simply spray paint maybe?) if you use umbrella just tie the flash to the umbrella holder pointing into the umbrella. maybe you could use the umbrella tog with the white plastic sheet to get really diffused light?

all these are just my ideas, may not work! heh...

 

[deslim27]

That's a very interesting proj, do let us know how it goes!

and here's my suggestion: the flash will will quite a narrow beam of light when the light first comes out of the flash, so any softbox DIYed on the flash has to take this into a acc. ie. if you put a white cloth or plastic in front of the flash to act as a soft box, chances are only the centre of the "box" will be strongly illuminated. either you place the material quite a distance away from the flash (then it'll have to be quite big, maybe buy those huge while plastic translucent sheets from bookshops) or use an umbrella with reflective inner surface (can find these around, the inside is silvered, or simply spray paint maybe?) if you use umbrella just tie the flash to the umbrella holder pointing into the umbrella. maybe you could use the umbrella tog with the white plastic sheet to get really diffused light?

all these are just my ideas, may not work! heh...

So much work huh :sweat:, why don't just buy off the shelf? kekeke

 

[Stepney]

So much work huh :sweat:, why don't just buy off the shelf? kekeke

Any suggestion on what is available off-the-shelf? Prefer to get some advise from the forum, instead of being pursuaded to buy this or that by the salesperson.

thanks.

 

[deslim27]

Any suggestion on what is available off-the-shelf? Prefer to get some advise from the forum, instead of being pursuaded to buy this or that by the salesperson.

thanks.

Hi,

Like hoppinghippo, I ever thought of DIY studio lighting.. but give up after a few attempt. Basically, I think hoppinghippo has explained very well on the requirements.

I'm also exploring some cheap and usable techniques. With Minolta wireless flash technology, we can use studio umbrella, clamp/adaptor plus tripod. It should works well. -> I'm a rookie too!

Finally found a related site here.. phew..

Should look like something like this..

http://webs.lanset.com/rcochran/flash/equipment.html

I've visited Ruby Photo (just a few steps away from TCW), they have the required accessories. The people there are quite experience, should able to advise you more.

Hope it helps.

Cheers!
Des

 

[Brett]

Hi,

I use the setup you posted for on location shoots.

Basically you'll need

Umbrella - $70 cathay/ruby or $6 Giodano
lightstand - $85 medium. $55 small - ruby
flash/umbrella adaptor - $40 - ruby
1 hell of a powerful flash min 45ct best if you can get your hands on a 60ct.

From experiments the SB80/similar flashes are not powerful enough for a family potrait.

For the "back light" or more fill light where areas the flash can't cover you can purchase "Light domes" (dome shape flashes with slave unit) or smaller flashes with a slave trigger to light up family members who on ends that don't receive enough light.

Hope the above helps !

Hi,

Like hoppinghippo, I ever thought of DIY studio lighting.. but give up after a few attempt. Basically, I think hoppinghippo has explained very well on the requirements.

I'm also exploring some cheap and usable techniques. With Minolta wireless flash technology, we can use studio umbrella, clamp/adaptor plus tripod. It should works well. -> I'm a rookie too!

Finally found a related site here.. phew..

Should look like something like this..

http://webs.lanset.com/rcochran/flash/equipment.html

I've visited Ruby Photo (just a few steps away from TCW), they have the required accessories. The people there are quite experience, should able to advise you more.

Hope it helps.

Cheers!
Des

 

[deslim27]

Hi,

I use the setup you posted for on location shoots.

Basically you'll need

Umbrella - $70 cathay/ruby or $6 Giodano
lightstand - $85 medium. $55 small - ruby
flash/umbrella adaptor - $40 - ruby
1 hell of a powerful flash min 45ct best if you can get your hands on a 60ct.

From experiments the SB80/similar flashes are not powerful enough for a family potrait.

For the "back light" or more fill light where areas the flash can't cover you can purchase "Light domes" (dome shape flashes with slave unit) or smaller flashes with a slave trigger to light up family members who on ends that don't receive enough light.

Hope the above helps !

Wow.. thanks, very informative.

"Umbrella - $70 cathay/ruby or $6 Giodano"

Does Giodano has a pure white/silver umbrella?

Is SB80 has the similar power as SB-80DX? Which is Guide Number of 125 (ISO 100/feet) at 35mm position. If yes, I would say its a very powerful flash, and still underpowered for this purpose.. :sweat:

Do you have any idea about brand/price of light dome for flashgun? Its would be interesting to explore in this area.

Thanks!
Des

 

[Brett]

The metz 60CT is abt $800-900
Light domes are below $100 from CP

Giodano has white ones, does't have to be giodano but when it rains thier umbrellas are $6. Any white umbrella would do the job in fact 4x2feet white cardboards/styrofoam would do the same. if the room's ceiling is low say 9feet you can even use that if it is white.

Wow.. thanks, very informative.

"Umbrella - $70 cathay/ruby or $6 Giodano"

Does Giodano has a pure white/silver umbrella?

Is SB80 has the similar power as SB-80DX? Which is Guide Number of 125 (ISO 100/feet) at 35mm position. If yes, I would say its a very powerful flash, and still underpowered for this purpose.. :sweat:

Do you have any idea about brand/price of light dome for flashgun? Its would be interesting to explore in this area.

Thanks!
Des

 

[deslim27]

Any white umbrella would do the job in fact 4x2feet white cardboards/styrofoam would do the same. if the room's ceiling is low say 9feet you can even use that if it is white.

The problem is I can't find a white one anywhere else.. all with 'cartoons'! haaa. Thanks for the info.

 

[sulhan]

http://www.md-sulhan.com/portsetup.html

Umbrellas- $2 each

regards,
Sulhan

 

[deslim27]

http://www.md-sulhan.com/portsetup.html

Umbrellas- $2 each

regards,
Sulhan

The page cannot be found

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[TME]

One way is to get light bulbs and use them as studio lights. I think can be set up easily if u willing to build your own stands and do some eletrical wiring lor..... then can project the light onto a white umbrella or white card and reflect it on the subject. This way the illumination is even, soft and directional....

 

[sulhan]

Okay...here it is....

http://www.md-sulhan.com/portsetup

regards,
sulhan

 

[deslim27]

Okay...here it is....

http://www.md-sulhan.com/portsetup

regards,
sulhan

Thanks sulhan, good good good.. :bsmilie:

BTW, what is SLS160? Slave trigger? Ain't you using Minolta flash?