Here I am looking through some images I just made with the new Westcott Rapid Box Switch and thinking about how I’ve been using Westcott light modifiers most of my career. Whether building from the ground up or tweaking their existing line, Westcott is constantly innovating the tools for photographers like you and me, and that means I always have something from them in my kit, no matter the project.
We, as photographers, are always looking for tools that will allow us to capture the best images as simply and effectively as possible, while maintaining the highest level of quality for our clients… even if those clients are just our friends or family. Being constantly on the move and working either solo or with a very small crew, I need high quality gear that I can rely on, day in and day out. The original Westcott Rapid Box (now the Rapid Box Switch) has filled that role for me the last few years.
If you’ve never used a Rapid Box before, let me briefly explain. In a “classic” softbox, the photographer has a “speed ring” on which they build their box. Depending on the size of the softbox, this can take several valuable minutes away from your session. Beyond that, it requires a certain amount of strength to set up and tear down, making the task difficult for some.
With the Westcott Rapid Box system, the Softbox is built on a frame similar to an umbrella (but different from the Halo or Apollo in that the light itself sits in the back, like a traditional softbox). By simply sliding the locking mechanism up the rod you can build (or break down) your Rapid Box in seconds. This amazing refinement allows you to create beautiful light whenever and wherever you need it, quickly and with little fuss.
I’ve been a huge fan of the Rapid Box system since it was announced and if you’ve seen my small flash (speedlite) demos, I almost always use one or more of them. They are, in my opinion, one of the best modifiers for small flash… but what about large “studio” flash?
Yes, Westcott made versions for larger units as well…
Sadly I have never owned any of them. In my constantly changing kit I would have needed several versions of the same box to suit my needs as the light mount was built into the box, making them specifically designed for a single strobe system. Admittedly, I am a rare bird and most people have just one system.
But hold on! Westcott was clearly thinking about me when they created the Rapid Box Switch! (Kidding.)
They kept the structure and quick set-up on the original Rapid Box I love, and added a quick release type system to the back, which allows you to switch the Light Mount Insert based on the lighting system you are using that day.
All the versatility of a traditional softbox, with the added speed and easy set-up of the Rapid Box System. Yup, didn’t know I needed this, now I cannot see traveling without it.
So maybe you are not like me, using many systems, but think about it this way: you grab your first light (probably a speedlite) and the Speedlite Mount Adapter. You shoot for a bit and find a great deal on some used lights, you buy that adapter and switch (see what I did there?). Then you invest in some beautiful new Profoto or Elinchrom or any of the other brands that are supported with these adapters (more on that later). And of course you can keep your old mount insert for the times you want to run around with your speedlite.
Which brings me to the photos (I know, finally). Westcott sent me the Rapid Box Switch to try out for a shoot and I figured I’d start with speedlites, as that is traditionally how I’ve used the Rapid Box. As predicted, it worked great and we got some beauty shots.
There is nice, clean, crisp, but soft, light from the Rapid Box Switch Octa-S (26”).
Here, I’m dragging the shutter a bit to get some light on the background.
I decided I wanted to overpower the light coming through the windows, but found the speedlite wasn’t really up to the task, so I switched to my Profoto B1X. I’m using the same Rapid Box Switch Octa-S (26″), but produced a much different feel to the image, which I converted to black and white.
Although I love the Octa-S, I wanted to try out the new 3×4 Rapid Box Switch so I switched (are you seeing a theme here?) and made a nice portrait of Marisa, still overpowering the light in the space, while the background gets a bit of fall off light from the large box.
That looked beautiful, but when I pulled back to get some 3/4 shots I felt like the image was getting a bit flat.
Never fear! I added the Rapid Box Switch Strip 1×3 with the speedlite adapter that I had switched (have to keep it going) from the Octa-S and added a nice separation light.
In a sea of creators, what sets you apart from the rest is your ability to shape and create light. This allows you to get the shot you and/or your client envision, no matter the situation. Sometimes it’s the little things, like having a reliable softbox system that can grow with you, that can help us do more with less. In the end, it’s good considering clients want more and more on smaller and smaller budgets.
The new Rapid Box Switch comes in the following sizes (at the time of writing):
- Beauty Dish (24″)
- Octa-S (26″) (I used this one)
- Octa-M (36″)
- Octa-L (48″)
- Strip 1×2
- Strip 1×3 (I used this one)
- Strip 1×4 – NEW
- Softbox 2×3 – NEW
- Softbox 3×4 – NEW (I used this one)
Inserts are available for the following strobe types:
- Balcar Alien Bees
- Hensel Expert
- Bowens
- Norman
- Broncolor Impact
- Photogenic
- Broncolor Pulso/Siros
- Profoto A1
- Dynalite
- Profoto Standard
- Elinchrom EL
- Speedlite
- Elinchrom Quadra/Q
And a wide selection of Deflector Plates and Egg Crate Grids are also available.
If you’d like Westcott to change the name to “Rapid Box Switch, Made for Daniel,” I wouldn’t be opposed.
