Westcott 48 In. Rapid Box Octa

4 years 7 months ago #654190 by Tim Kelley
I want this soft box, but will be using it outside and wondering how bad that will be with wind?  I have weights to hold it down, but concerned about damaging it if a gust of wind comes up.  Any thoughts on how strong this thing is to that sort of stress?  


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4 years 7 months ago #654193 by Nikon Shooter
In the wind? I don't know but many years back I bought two
7 foot octas and two 48" Apollo SB, ask my sons to built them
up in the studio. Puzzled, my sons noticed that something was
wrong: they couldn't support their own weight!

All units were repacked and returned.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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4 years 7 months ago #654210 by Janos
You should be good to go with a couple sand bags.  Now if you are talking hurricane speed winds, that might be another


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4 years 7 months ago #654214 by Nikon Shooter
My impression was that they totally deform
before the stands got blown down.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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4 years 7 months ago #654302 by garyrhook

Tim Kelley wrote: I want this soft box, but will be using it outside and wondering how bad that will be with wind?  I have weights to hold it down, but concerned about damaging it if a gust of wind comes up.  Any thoughts on how strong this thing is to that sort of stress?  


In an effort to address your specific question:

Using softboxes and umbrellas outside is always going to be challenging. They act like a sail, so any amount of wind will be of concern. Yes, a lot of wind could damage it. It could get knocked over. But this is going to be true with any light + modifier.

As for strength, I recently acquired one of their shallow softboxes, and its construction is similar to any other product I've seen. No stronger nor weaker. YMMV, but working outside is going to carry risk in any event.

Get a minion to hold the stand, and don't trust sandbags. IMNSHO.


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4 years 7 months ago #654332 by Ira Weber
Yep, exactly.  Having an assistant to hold and keep an eye on your lighting gear during heavier winds will be key.  


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4 years 7 months ago #656191 by Ian Stone


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4 years 5 months ago #663582 by Colorado Mike
What stand are you using? 


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