nabman - montreal, canada Posted April 6, 2004 Share Posted April 6, 2004 Hi, This is further to the DYI softbox you showed in the weekly lighting theme thread. I'm showing my version here in order not to hijack that great thread. Like yourself, I wanted to build a cheap softbox, and I had a rectangular design in mind. I followed suggestions I received at this forum and I ended with a pyramidical unit (which makes light ping- pong towards the diffuser better.) It's better to remove your reflector; a barebulb spreads light better inside the box (I use an OmniBounce to simulate that.) I don't know how the layered muslin is working for you, but I find tracing paper to be OK. I first started with one sheet then added another 10cm apart which helped smoothen the output. Here's the sketch (apologies for my bad hand writing.) I use it with a hotshoe flash for headshots and small objects. It's made of foamcore, assembled with tape, and the inside is covered with aluminum foil. It's very cheap and lightweight. I mount it on a flashhead put on cheap tripod. Works great! I hope this will help you build a better softbox. Nab<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennifer_c Posted April 6, 2004 Share Posted April 6, 2004 Hey this is great! I want to get a softbox, but right now the $150 is not available, so I was just playing last night after my guys went to bed. Rough start, but I was pretty surprised at the result on the wine bottle. I saw that ZJ was using tracing paper and that there was still a fairly strong hot spot where the bulb was hitting his bottle, that is why I was trying the muslin...to really smooth that out. I am interested in seeing a shot or two you have done with yours because your design is incredible and makes complete sense. The other reason I wanted to experiment was because I have two Photek Softlighter II for diffusion purposes, which works great for portraits because I like the round catchlight more than a square in the eyes and they are easy to move and set up. But on the product shots I am doing, they don't work so well. And I need a boom. Anyway, thanks for the information!! I will have to try this out and let you know how it turns out! Regards - Jennifer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nabman - montreal, canada Posted April 6, 2004 Author Share Posted April 6, 2004 The tracing paper works for me because it transmits light better (a hotshoe flash doesn't offer much output.) I did have a hotspot at first, but it was greatly reduced after I added the second sheet. Isn't the muslin too opaque? My box is for fun/learning. I'm trying to figure out a way to throw in a modeling light. Unfortunately, I have my magnum opus on slides (I'm a projection guy) and I don't have a scanner. I'll try to post examples as soon as I can. But between my wife, kids and work............you know! Nab Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nabman - montreal, canada Posted April 6, 2004 Author Share Posted April 6, 2004 Read DIY! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eduardphoto Posted April 6, 2004 Share Posted April 6, 2004 Jennifer, I would be interested to know how your "softbox" compares with the softliter? Did you try to shoot the bottle with both, and to compare the results? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennifer_c Posted April 6, 2004 Share Posted April 6, 2004 Eduard - Okay, so I duplicated the original tequila shot with the softbox. I shot at f/22 for both, same distance from background and me from them. Background light low with red filter. I didn't meter the light the first time, so I think it is somewhat dark. The only other thing I did different was include the gold reflector disc in the softlighter (because of the amber color of the tequila and the gold labeling).<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom_menegatos Posted April 6, 2004 Share Posted April 6, 2004 I haven't tried it but I once read online about someone using one of those styrophone coolers to build a softbox. Light, cheap, about the right size and already white inside. Just cut part of the top off, leaving the rim, and attach diffusion material. Good to keep your limes in too! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennifer_c Posted April 6, 2004 Share Posted April 6, 2004 Here is the other for comparison.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennifer_c Posted April 6, 2004 Share Posted April 6, 2004 sorry, forgot to resize before posting<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_hovland Posted April 6, 2004 Share Posted April 6, 2004 A piece of Rosco Tough Frost, about $6 for 20x24, makes a good diffuser. A stretcher for painting makes a good frame. Just clamp it to a stand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eduardphoto Posted April 6, 2004 Share Posted April 6, 2004 Umm... except for the difference in exposure, I don't see big differences betweed the 2 shots. Am I missing something, or the softliter and your soft-box give a pretty similar effect? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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