What's a light box? - PhotoCamel

dvdowns · 11-16-2005

In New Zealand here I have done a search on the local auction site for a light box which is mentioned quite often here . If it is so useful I would like to try it .
Is it just another name for the plastic diffusion filter that goes on front of a flash ?

Paul Shields · 11-16-2005

What I call a light box is an opaque box with a light source inside, and is used for examining transparencies and negs (usually through a loupe). I'm sure there can be other interpretations, but that's what it's always meant to me.

JohnC · 11-16-2005

Some folks call a "soft box" a light box or a light bank or a bank light. Usually consists of a large diffusion panel (from 16"x16" to 4'x6' or even larger) on an enclosed structure (usually fabric) that you can put your flash head(s) into. Typical manufacturers are Plume and Chimera, but there are a number of others.

http://www.plumeltd.com/

http://www.chimeralighting.com/

John

dvdowns · 11-16-2005

Ok , now I get it , but a few memebers mention using them at weddings ? I take it they are much smaller versions over the flash ?

JohnC · 11-17-2005

They do make small soft boxes for portable flashes. I've not tried one, though. I guess anything that will make the light source larger will help. But it seems cumbersome and probably drops the light output quite a bit.

John

dvdowns · 11-18-2005

I usually avoid using flash because I normally do scenic shots , but after playing around with my D70 and its built in speedlight I am pretty impressed with what it can do and how accurate it is with the lighting it produces . I may end up getting a soft box when I have an SB800 dedicated flash for the D70 .

Wilt · 12-22-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvdowns

Ok , now I get it , but a few memebers mention using them at weddings ? I take it they are much smaller versions over the flash ?

I'm not where I can measure my mini softbox that I use on camera for weddings, but I estimate it to be about 13cm x 21 cm (5" x 8"). It is a Wescott brand Micro Apollo model. It is afixed over the flashhead with hood and loop tape (a.k.a. 'Velcro')

11-16-2005	#1 (permalink)
dvdowns Dromedary Posts: 1,353 CamelKarma: 57 Gallery \| Blog	What's a light box? In New Zealand here I have done a search on the local auction site for a light box which is mentioned quite often here . If it is so useful I would like to try it . Is it just another name for the plastic diffusion filter that goes on front of a flash ? __________________ Members don't see ads in threads. Register your free account today and become a member on PhotoCamel - Your Friendly Photo Forum, gaining access to posting privileges, contests, free plug-ins and other downloads, unlimited online storage for your photographs, reviews, free marketplace listings, and much more.
	__________________ Nikon D70 , D50 , 18-70 , 18-200VR , Sigma 10-20 mm ,Tamron 28-200 , 50mm f1.8 .Canon S70 compact Canon G6 compact , metz 45-cl4 , sb600  and nissin 360TW flash .

11-16-2005	#2 (permalink)
Paul Shields senses working overtime Location: Liverpool, UK Posts: 11,245 CamelKarma: 2096 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: What's a light box? What I call a light box is an opaque box with a light source inside, and is used for examining transparencies and negs (usually through a loupe). I'm sure there can be other interpretations, but that's what it's always meant to me.
	__________________ Join PhotoCamel \| My PhotoCamel Blog Write a review \| View the gallery

11-16-2005	#3 (permalink)
JohnC Dromedary Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,060 CamelKarma: 573 Gallery \| Blog	Re: What's a light box? Some folks call a "soft box" a light box or a light bank or a bank light. Usually consists of a large diffusion panel (from 16"x16" to 4'x6' or even larger) on an enclosed structure (usually fabric) that you can put your flash head(s) into. Typical manufacturers are Plume and Chimera, but there are a number of others. http://www.plumeltd.com/ http://www.chimeralighting.com/ John
	__________________ John Cornicello Seattle, WA http://www.johncornicello.com

11-16-2005	#4 (permalink)
dvdowns Dromedary Posts: 1,353 CamelKarma: 57 Gallery \| Blog	Re: What's a light box? Ok , now I get it , but a few memebers mention using them at weddings ? I take it they are much smaller versions over the flash ?
	__________________ Nikon D70 , D50 , 18-70 , 18-200VR , Sigma 10-20 mm ,Tamron 28-200 , 50mm f1.8 .Canon S70 compact Canon G6 compact , metz 45-cl4 , sb600  and nissin 360TW flash .

11-17-2005	#5 (permalink)
JohnC Dromedary Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,060 CamelKarma: 573 Gallery \| Blog	Re: What's a light box? They do make small soft boxes for portable flashes. I've not tried one, though. I guess anything that will make the light source larger will help. But it seems cumbersome and probably drops the light output quite a bit. John
	__________________ John Cornicello Seattle, WA http://www.johncornicello.com

11-18-2005	#6 (permalink)
dvdowns Dromedary Posts: 1,353 CamelKarma: 57 Gallery \| Blog	Re: What's a light box? I usually avoid using flash because I normally do scenic shots , but after playing around with my D70 and its built in speedlight I am pretty impressed with what it can do and how accurate it is with the lighting it produces . I may end up getting a soft box when I have an SB800 dedicated flash for the D70 .
	__________________ Nikon D70 , D50 , 18-70 , 18-200VR , Sigma 10-20 mm ,Tamron 28-200 , 50mm f1.8 .Canon S70 compact Canon G6 compact , metz 45-cl4 , sb600  and nissin 360TW flash .

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