2013-07-24T21:00:00
Rated 5 out of 5
An Excellent Softbox
This is an excellent softbox. The very first time I put it into my speedring it was a little tight, but since then it's been nothing but a pleasure to work with.
I have it paired with a Flashpoint M320 strobe and couldn't be happier.
T.Mottl
2011-11-02T21:00:00
Rated 2 out of 5
Difficult assembly & poor fit
Note: this is the first softbox that I have bought new, but it is not the first that I have assembled or used. I have used Westcott-brand softboxes in the studio. My expectations are based on experience using their name-brand product line.
First assembly of this Photo Basics unit was VERY difficult and frustrating. No instructions are included. User provides own speedring, so lacking instructions, it is not clear if the assembly problems result from differences in speed ring size or from product part size. I suspect the product itself, as generic speedring sizes appear to be relatively standard.
Due to lack of instructions, figuring out which holes to use (you have to use holes for a square even though this is a rectangle) was trial and error.
I experienced repeated failures installing the rods - falling out, popping out. Dangerous as hell if one hits you in the eye, so BE CAREFUL. The rod bases do NOT stay in standard speed ring socket holes. They are way too small - and yes, I did have the large end in the right place!
By accident I found that I had to install one, then compress it to force in the second on the same side, then compress those as I bent and forced in the third rod, and so on. Problem is the rods are hard to hold when subjected to pressure; and the base is not large enough to stay in standard speed ring socket holes. Assembly ended up being a 2 person job, which is impractical for a photographer in many field situations.
Velcro seams at the back are too short/small to join up - between 1-2 inch more fabric is needed to close the back of the box. The edges don't even touch, not to mention close, on my unit.
A reviewer on the Photo Basics strip softbox says the rods look like they are 1/2 inch too long. I agree re this size unit - maybe as much as 1 inch in this case. I left my unit up to stretch for a week. Will see if it is easier to assemble. Part of the reason I left it up is that dis-assembly was so hard that I gave up.
This does not look like an item that I can use in the field. Should be ok for amateur studio work, but I could not assemble it without a clean floor to press the unit against; and it is too large to carry around assembled. I could not imagine assembling and dis-assembling this unit on other than an occasional basis. Too difficult.
I hope that it holds up to repeated assembly and dis-assembly cycles. Only time will tell. Fabric seems to be sturdy, although given the stress created by the rods, I am surprised that no reinforcement is provided on the corner pockets.
While I understand that this is not one of Westcott's premier name brand units, I did expect it to be easy to use because the target market will be relative newcomers to studio work, people who do not have assistants to help, and people who don't have tons of prior experience with the ins and outs of softboxes.
Rivengrain
