I think it may be photoflex or somebody that makes a speedring for a
pair of flashes to allow them to be used with a softbox. By itself, a
single flash doesn't have enough power to be used effectively with a
softbox which diminishes light quite a bit more than an umbrella.
Umbrella's are more commonly used because they lose less light. This
page http://webs.lanset.com/rcochran/flash/equipment.html shows
some typical flash setups with umbrellas and adapters used. I use the
same adapters they show and they work just fine. Speedrings do exist
for single flashes but must be matched to the brand of softbox used.
If you had a Chimera softbox and wanted to use it with a single 550EX
then you might look at
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Chimera-Speedring-Review.aspx
. Something like a Chimera XS might be appropriate; I strongly
advise getting a relatively small softbox if you plan on using only
one 550, and get one with a silver lining which will reflect more
light through the white cloth. This isn't going to light up a group
or even a full person. I can't find the speedring that uses two
flashes but I know one exists someplace. I have two 550's but I only
use them with umbrellas because of the light loss with softboxes.
When I want to use softboxes I use my strobes.
I've been looking for a softbox to "play" studio light with one 550EX. I'm
interested in the new Ezybox 60cm from Lastolite. Given the portability,
it looks like a good match to the 550EX to easily take on location or
makeshift studio-garage :-). Nevertheless, Lastolite does not make an
adaptor for a 'hotshoe' flash.
I wonder if some of you are using softboxes with a speedlite?, which model
do you recommend and how do you properly mount the flash into the 'box.
Another model looking interesting is the umbrellabox but it's quite
shallow and it looks like it needs a bare bulb inside. Even the 17mm panel
of the 550EX wouldn't do the trick.
--
Bud Kuenzli
In cyberspace when you get where you're going you still don't know
where you are.
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