When to use Octa softbox vs rectangular softbox?

4 years 10 months ago #649305 by Chase Audate
I on B&H website looking at soft boxes and trying to figure out which one to get.  Not to ask a dumb question, but what's the difference between a octa shaped softbox and rectangular one?  

I was reading long rectangular ones are for full body, but couldn't the octa one do that too?  


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4 years 10 months ago #649307 by Nikon Shooter

Chase Audate wrote: … what's the difference between a octa shaped softbox and rectangular one?  

The only difference is in the shape: one looks like a window and
the other more like a rounder light source.

Chase Audate wrote: I was reading long rectangular ones are for full body, but couldn't the octa one do that too?  


Long rectangular ones — aka strip boxes — are for no other pur-
pose than falloff control in one direction.

All soft boxes in a given shape will have the same coverage, angle
but, depending on their size, will have a better wrap the closer &
bigger the box is.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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4 years 10 months ago #649312 by Nikon Shooter
Addendum


When it comes to "circular or hexagonal or octagonal" soft boxes,
though they go by the same effect — the difference is in the num-
ber of ribs; the more make the box is rounder.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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4 years 9 months ago #649329 by KCook
Another Addendum.

The shape of the catchlight reflections in the eye will be different, if that matters to you. Also, if you have any interest in portability, the octo boxes fold up much more easily than the rectangular ones. But you can join two rectangular (or square) boxes side-by-side to temporarily form a double size softbox.

Lots of studios will have both.

Kelly

Canon 50D, Olympus PL2
kellycook.zenfolio.com/

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4 years 9 months ago #649387 by ThatNikonGuy
This video should help you out



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4 years 9 months ago #649409 by Chase Audate
That video was very helpful.  I think the Octa one will work for me.  

Thank you for all your help everyone.


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