Red-Wing Strataflex/Calumet 3-D softbox reflector - Anybody have any experience?

<p>I've searched the archives and internet and found very little

commentary on this item, so I was wondering if anybody here has some

experience with them.<br>

Interestingly, I actually had conceived something similar before I

found this existed, as I found simple flat reflectors weren't always

giving me the lighting I wanted. <br>

So, for those of you who have used or even seen this creation, my

questions are:</p>

<p>-What size do you find most suitable? Both as a reflector and

softbox. The large size is very large, and could be cumbersome, but it

may be necessary to effectively light the subject.</p>

<p>-How well does the translucent version work as a shoot-through

diffuser? It would be interesting to mount it on camera and convert

the sun into a giant ring-light..</p>

<p>-Into how small of a package does it break down, and consequently

how portable is it?</p>

<p>-What about the flat panels that attach on the front? </p>

<p>-How much light could I expect from a light source such as the

120J, Lumedyne 200WS, or something similar? Particularly shooting

outdoors, even in full sun ( I know that's asking a lot). </p>

<p>What I will use it for: I shoot mainly fashion, and prefer to use

natural, but often heavily modified light. I prefer to shoot outdoors

or on location, therefore portablility is paramount. I also do not

like to be encumbered with lots of equipment (lights,

powerpacks,etc.).</p>

<p>The items can be found here:</p>

<p><a

href="http://www.calumetphoto.com/ctl?PAGE=Controller&ac.ui.pn=cat.CatItemDetail&ac.item.itemNo=RM5010K&ac.cat.CatTreeSearch.detail=y&type=SPDSEARCH">http://www.calumetphoto.com/ctl?PAGE=Controller&ac.ui.pn=cat.CatItemDetail&ac.item.itemNo=RM5010K&ac.cat.CatTreeSearch.detail=y&type=SPDSEARCH</a></p>

<p>here:</p>

<p><a

href="http://www.redwingphoto.com">http://www.redwingphoto.com/</a>

(look under panels/strataflex) </p>

<p>and here:</p>

<p><a

href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=230881&is=REG">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=230881&is=REG

</a></p>

<p>I appreciate ANY first-hand commentary whatsoever, even if it

doesn't answer my questions. </p>

<p>Thanks in advance,</p>

<p>Paul de Luna </p>

I'm going to get a small one for product work and portraits (thanks for the link). I'll let you know what I think. <p>At $45, why don't you get one and see if it works for you? Judging from your style, it seems you could incorporate in into your tool box with no problem. I see it's weakness as a huge "ringlight" style reflector is a necessity to shoot into the light. This actually seems to be a trademark technique for you (utilizing flare). I think you could do good things with it and it's certainly affordable enough, even if you want the big one @ $100 (maybe you should get one first, and advise <i>me</i> on <i>your</i> experience)... t