What size Octabox

[jchooper12]

Ok, my studio is only 18X14' approx, I want to shoot head shots and 3/4 length, what size octabox is the best for this. I will be using an Elinchrom 600rx as main light. The ceiling is tappered and goes from around 8' to 10'. Also please suggest a brand. I am looking at the Elinchrom right now but read that the Chimera is awsome. What is the big difference between the two.

[srwatters]

I like the 4' size for headshots and 3/4 length. For full length or multiple subjects, I'd say 5' to 7' is best if you want that nice soft wrap-around light. As far as brands go, I've had good luck with Photoflex, Wescott, and LightGear USA (Alien Bee/Paul Buff). Chimera and Larson are also very well constructed, but pricey. As long as you aren't tearing it down and setting it up a lot, they all perform fairly closely except for different inner surface colors and/or textures. Any reason for selecting the octobox over a rectangle? I find more use for my 3'x4' and soon to be 4'x6' rectangles.

[MyKey]

Larson all the way for me!

John Snow the owner is not only a super great guy but truly has a passion for his product and makes it directly in his factory in Florida. Simply the best out there for my money.

Their 4'x6' softboxes kick some serious butt and is GREAT for studio sessions but not very portable, there are other smaller versions which are portable if that is what you want.

You can do ALOT in a very small space with Larson products such as their 4x6 (on the right in the image below) and their 6 foot stand alone reflectors (up front on the left).

[Maverick]

It took me awhile to get my Larson stuff to work with my Elinchroms! Well, to get Larson to provide me with something that would work. Make sure you get them to give you the "old" spin rings that have a wide enough flange to turn it in the light. I love the Larson stuff and John is a great guy. The fabric will "not" yellow (ever), which is great if you want consistent color. Elinchrom makes a 39 inch and 53 inch Octa /Rotolux, with conected spin ring and folding poles. I'm going to look into one at the PPA convention this month. Hopefully someone will have one to play with at the trade show.
I had a Photoflex Octabox, I used with some ABees, but unless you are going to put it up and leave it, those things are like wrestling bear!

BTW, if you are only going head to 3/4, the 4'x6' is way big! Better to go with a 3'x4'.

[MyKey]

Great information Maverick thanks for chimming in!

[timbertoes]

get the biggest you can afford. Having light fall on the non-framed part is not the real issue...but rather when you want the full length shot, which eventually you will :)

I have a 48" "longest side" softbox, and when I saw the light from a "full size" soft box, I knew I had made the wrong decison.
You can always block off portions of the light.

[d2creative]

Just to throw out an inexpensive option.... I got an Amnova 5' octobox with a rolling stand and boom for $80 shipped off ebay, brand new! Even comes with a grid and several reflectors. Then just had to buy the alien bees speedring. You wouldn't want to do a lot of set-up/tear down with it, but for 80 bucks i don't care if it only lasts a year... that's cheap enough until i can afford something better/know what works for me. So far so good!

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by timbertoes

get the biggest you can afford. Having light fall on the non-framed part is not the real issue...but rather when you want the full length shot, which eventually you will :)

I disagree with this statement. There are times when I want a smaller light source and simply masking the larger box will not give you the same results. By masking you lose the bounce softness from the internal edges of the box.

I still say for headshots and 3/4 length, the 3'x4' size is optimal if you are shooting single subjects. For full length and multiple subjects, the 4'x6' is an excellent choice.

[jchooper12]

I was wanting to use the Octabox to get the round catchlights. What do you use now for shooting headshots and your 3/4 ports. I know you were using a Beautydish for some stuff.

Look forward to your reply.

Thanks

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by jchooper12

I was wanting to use the Octabox to get the round catchlights. What do you use now for shooting headshots and your 3/4 ports. I know you were using a Beautydish for some stuff.

I still use the 48" LightGear USA (Alien Bee) for headshots.

For 3/4 length I prefer the 3'x4' Photoflex Multi-dome with the 40 degree egg-crate grille. Greg likes that box too. But depending on the subject and shot, I might use a 30x60 strip, beauty dish, or even an 11" silver cone. It all depends on what I want the shot to look like. Use the right tool for the job is my best advice. A 48" octobox is a good choice if you want soft wraparound light. If you want more shadows, then you'll need something more directional. That's why I use the grille on the multidome. I get soft yet directional light from that box.

Remember that softness is related to size of and distance to the light source. Directionality is a function of the type of modifier. If you compare the box with and without the grille, you'll see what I mean regarding directionality.

JMHO, of course.

[jchooper12]

I got the 40 degree egg-crate grille for my Photoflex Multi-dome for xmas and have not had a chance to use it yet, but will very soon. I also got the grille for my Photoflex strip box. I know it will help a lot with controling where the light is falling. I am just not sure exactly what I want at this point.