medium vs. large softbox at DVinfo.net

Allen Minor · May 21st, 2004, 11:14 PM

I am interested in doing interviews of 1 to two people on average. I'm trying to make a decision to purchase either a medium softbox (24x32) or a large one (36x48).
Thanks for any advice.

Ken Tanaka · May 21st, 2004, 11:24 PM

Welcome Allen,
The medium should do fine for your application.

Here's a fun fact to bear in mind when looking at soft lighting: the larger the "source" the softer the light. In this case, the size of the source is the area of the soft box's front panel.

In a pinch, if you have a light instrument such as a tungsten lamp you can create a soft source by simply bouncing it off of a white board, thus creating a larger source.

Have fun!

Bryan Beasleigh · May 22nd, 2004, 01:42 AM

The large will not fit through doors and will be difficult to handle in a confined space.

I've had no problems with the medium.

Ryan Gohlinghorst · May 22nd, 2004, 07:57 AM

I agree. The medium has worked fine for everything I've worked on. After you've hauled the medium around all day, you'll be glad you didn't get the large.

Allen Minor · May 22nd, 2004, 11:39 AM

Thank you so much for the fast, courteous, and experienced advice. I agree with you and it makes more sense to me now.
Thanks.

Noah Posnick · May 23rd, 2004, 04:17 PM

I got a large softbox and am not happy with the unwieldy size. Unless you are planning on keeping it in a studio, get the medium. It's a pain in the @@S to move around, thorugh doorways, etc. And since it's not exactly so simple to take down and reassemble like a Rifa would be, you don't want to have to do that often. Go for the medium

Patrick Gault · May 24th, 2004, 08:48 PM

The large is cumbersome, but what a beautiful light.

I have also sold my large and gone with the medium. Now I hang a larger piece of white diffusion about 18" in front of the softbox with a boom. This gives me the softness of a large box and the portability of a smaller one.

May 21st, 2004, 11:14 PM	#1
Allen Minor Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: Hamilton, OH Posts: 50	medium vs. large softbox I am interested in doing interviews of 1 to two people on average. I'm trying to make a decision to purchase either a medium softbox (24x32) or a large one (36x48). Thanks for any advice. __________________ tamerlane57

May 21st, 2004, 11:24 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Welcome Allen, The medium should do fine for your application. Here's a fun fact to bear in mind when looking at soft lighting: the larger the "source" the softer the light. In this case, the size of the source is the area of the soft box's front panel. In a pinch, if you have a light instrument such as a tungsten lamp you can create a soft source by simply bouncing it off of a white board, thus creating a larger source. Have fun! __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

May 22nd, 2004, 01:42 AM	#3
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	The large will not fit through doors and will be difficult to handle in a confined space. I've had no problems with the medium. __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ".......holy smokin rubber lips...what a ride!"

May 22nd, 2004, 07:57 AM	#4
Ryan Gohlinghorst Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Mankato, Minnesota Posts: 104	I agree. The medium has worked fine for everything I've worked on. After you've hauled the medium around all day, you'll be glad you didn't get the large. __________________ http://www.horsefilms.com "I like Mankato just a little bit better than any other town in the world." -Sinclair Lewis

May 22nd, 2004, 11:39 AM	#5
Allen Minor Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: Hamilton, OH Posts: 50	medium vs large softbox Thank you so much for the fast, courteous, and experienced advice. I agree with you and it makes more sense to me now. Thanks. __________________ tamerlane57

May 23rd, 2004, 04:17 PM	#6
Noah Posnick Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 64	I got a large softbox and am not happy with the unwieldy size. Unless you are planning on keeping it in a studio, get the medium. It's a pain in the @@S to move around, thorugh doorways, etc. And since it's not exactly so simple to take down and reassemble like a Rifa would be, you don't want to have to do that often. Go for the medium __________________ Noah Posnick http://www.posnick.com

May 24th, 2004, 08:48 PM	#7
Patrick Gault Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cereal City USA Posts: 286	The large is cumbersome, but what a beautiful light. I have also sold my large and gone with the medium. Now I hang a larger piece of white diffusion about 18" in front of the softbox with a boom. This gives me the softness of a large box and the portability of a smaller one.