Comments

rs170a wrote on 2/23/2006, 4:04 AM
When I got a softbox, I went with a Photoflex Silverdome. It was 1/2 the cost of the comparable Chimera and it's speed ring worked with both my Totas & Omnis. Chimeras needed separate speed rings for each fixture. Once again, these were 1/2 the cost of the Chimera equivalent.

Mike
Peter Burn wrote on 2/23/2006, 4:45 AM
I can't tell you the Model numbers because the lights are away on a rental but Lowell makes some excellent two light kits comprising various sizes of soft box and a Pro Light c/w barn doors and gel frame. We bought the second largest and the smallest soft box variants. The big one is good for large areas only but the smaller versions work very well for iinterviews in close quarters. Beauthy of these softboxes is they fold up, making set up very easy, perhaps three minutes from the time you open the case. Only down side is the Prolite has to be handled with great care becuase if you are not paying attention during set up the instrument will free fall on its swivel, usually destroying the expensive bulb.
Guy S. wrote on 2/23/2006, 11:19 AM
I use 2 softboxes:

One is a Chimera 24" x 32" that came in a kit with its own 500 watt bulb/speedring combo, an eggcrate for light control (a lifesaver!) and a Bogen/Avenger 635 heavy duty light stand, and carrying bag. Cost for the kit was $550. I would have prefered a Lowell Rifa Light softbox for its faster setup, but the eggcrate alone is $300, which would have made it nearly double the cost.

My second softbox is a Westcott unit that folds up like an umbrella. It's made for photo strobes, not hot lights, but I use it with a 200 watt bulb which doesn't get too hot. I use this light as a hair light, but it would work ok as a main or fill (no eggcrate option, though). Cost for this softbox was ~$75, plus $20 for the light fixture inside.

If you will be using it a lot, I would see if the Chimera kit is still available -- try B&H or Sammy's. If you just want something that's a little better than what you have and your requirements are less demanding, the Westcott is a viable low-cost alternative.