> Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 12:21:29 -0400
> From: Gary Kaplan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Re: EOS softbox for 420EX
>
> I know that the Omnibounce allows you to shot with a much wider angle lens then
> the straight flash allows. Do any of the softbox products do that? Also the
> person bellow mentioned that the Omnibounce is meant for bouncing, but I recall
> seeing press photographers using them outside. Is this useless?
The idea behind those softboxes is to make light softer.
Light is softer when coming from more than one side.
In order to achieve this you have to increase the
illuminating light source. The front reflektor of the
softbox replaces the original flash reflektor. In good
conditions the light is also less directed and will
thus be reflected more from walls and ceiling as well.
The problem is that the effect you achieve by the use of
those esoteric flash accessories depends on enlarged
illumination source *in proportion* to your subject.
Which means that 30 cm from your subject the box makes
sense, 3 meters from your subject it does little more
than to eat battery power. Anyone owning one of these
gimmicks can easily test this himself.
Shoot from a tripod, one shot with and one without the
box. Use slide film and have someone mark the slides
on the back of the frame. Look at the slides on a light
panel and try to find out which was shot with the box.
In some cases you can spot them because some boxes
are higher than the regular reflector, so the flash
isn't softer, just from a different direction.
In other cases those boxes are known to slightly warm
the light balance, making the pictures look more
sympathic in direct comparison. This goes along with
the drawback of less accurate and less consistent color
rendition.
Some weeks ago a few of the readers from de.rec.fotografie
tested various boxes and reflectors against pure flash.
Unfortunately the results are not online yet, but the
conclusion was very simple and unmistakable: Unless
your subject is in a distance of 1 meter or less,
save your money.
Over 1 meter the boxes change the direction of flash,
which can be done with a flash bracket as well. Or
they change the color balance to something warmer,
which can be done with a warming filter as well.
And in all cases they reduce the reach of your
batteries while increasing recycle times.
My own experiences with the old Metz umbrella (1 square foot),
a clip-on card reflector (20x20 centimeters) an inflatable
flash ball (25 cm diameter) and a softbox (20x30 centimeter)
back this verdict. I wasted a lot of money.
--
Michael Quack <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.photoquack.de
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