Hi Hugo, The explanation of Chip is really good and should help you making your mind.
Just one side note: When using a Lumiquest softbox (I've the promax), the position of the zoom head is very important. The inside of the reflector will do very little if the zoom is at -say- 80 or 105 mm. The reason is that the zoom function will send a narrow beam that will be diffused only at the front translucid pannel, creating an effect very similar to the Omnibounce in the direct position. With a studio unit, you mount a soft box on a bare flash bulb. This bulb creates a sphere of light that is then 'reshaped' and directed when bounced off the walls. It's that internal bouncing that makes the light soft and even. With a Lumiquest softbox, you have to simulate the same and to do that you have to use the widest zoom setting (20mm on the 550ex; actually, 17mm is much better, but the blinking LCD really disables me to see or change any settings on the flash). Also, given the very limited size of the softbox, you have to be very close from your subject to apreciate any softening in the light. More than 1mt (3ft) or thereabouts and you'll loose most of the effect. Kind regards, Gerard. PS: I also own & use both system and -again- fully agree with Chip. * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
