Softboxes - Square vs Octaplus

[Seth Marshall]

I'm upping my softbox inventory and want to know if anyone has a strong opinion regarding square vs 8-sided softboxes. I can see how it would be easier to clamp together two squares to make a bigger box, but I am curious if others had opinions based on experience that makes them prefer one to the other.

Thanks

 

[Ulf Krentz]

All tools have their place, for me I don´t like rectangular catchlights in the models/actors eyes. Depending on your work you might also look for a parabolic reflector like Brieses 77 or broncolors para88 but they are expensive. A diffuser frame and some flags or a simple umbrella like it is often used by photographers workes very well. If you intend to use boxes, get different screens, I usually use the lighter ones. Take a look at soft egg crates as well. Chimeras pancake might also be taken into consideration, just some quick thoughts...

Ulf

 

[Matt W.]

I'm a big fan of the pancake lights, lantern locks on chinese lanterns with skirts (for cheap), and 4x4 frames and bounce. If you can't fit a 4x4 frame into your car then extend the gobo horizontally from a c-stand, drape your diff of choice off a 4' roll, cut the length at four or five feet, put a couple grip clips at the bottom to weigh it down and for interiors at least you have a 4x4 frame then just roll up the diff and use it again.

For interviews and stuff I like soft boxes and have only worked with square ones, but tungsten seems to be less and less popular for ENG.

Briese lights are the thing for high end music videos, glossy stuff, etc. if you can afford the rental.

 

[Bob Gundu]

Products shots that are reflective look better with square ones. Otherwise octo ones look nice on people.