The first component of the Ultimate Light Box is a flash adapter and diffuser. Harbor Digital Design makes a flash adapter for all flash models, so you don’t need some jerry-rigged assembly with rubber bands or Velcro™. It quickly slides into place with a snug fit, and is conveniently removed when you don’t need it. The adapter then accepts a domed diffuser, again manufactured to match specifically your flash unit. The people at Harbor Digital Design consciously made the diffuser domed, instead of the typical flat surface. Testing and happy customers have proven that the dome shape delivers more even light across a wider area.
The second part of the Ultimate Light Box is the actual light box and diffuser lens, which are used with it. Harbor Digital Design has carefully created a system that you physical build, component on component. With the flash adapter in place, the light box is attached directly to it. The system is truly the ultimate, as this combination enlarges the surface area of a flash as much as 700%. The two diffuser lenses enhance lighting creativity. Placing them inside the flash diffusion lens, any digital photographer will have more lighting choices, in terms of softness, intensity of the diffused light and its direction.
Harbor Digital Design truly understands the word “complete,” which is why it wasn’t finished with the Ultimate Light Box system until it also included a large reflector. The typical flash diffuser emits light in all directions, 360 degrees around the location of the flash. Much of this light never strikes the scene or subject, however. Both a full-frame and DX-format DSLR have an angle of view less than 70 degrees, 62 and 44, respectively. This means a significant amount of the light from a flash doesn’t enter these relatively narrow fields of view. Harbor Digital Design recognized this fact, so it developed the large reflector for the Ultimate Light Box system to capture and reflect more of this light on the subject.
2. Although Harbor Digital Design markets its Quick Spot as a separate product, it’s actually another piece of the company’s comprehensive lighting system. The Quick Spot has a honeycombed surface that works like a snoot, directing a circular, narrow beam of light on a subject. It helps the photographer creatively focus the light on a specific portion of a subject or object, emphasizing form, color or some other characteristic.
As well as a choice of a 1/4” or 1/8” honeycomb grid, the standard Quick Spot kit includes the same flash adapter that comes with the Ultimate Light Box system. It’s just as easily inserted or removed. Again, no rubber bands or Velcro are present or needed. Like the Ultimate Light Box, the Quick Spot is a fully integrated lighting tool. It can be purchased in various combinations that include one of the grids, the flash adapter and Harbor Digital Design’s Gel Pack, or both grids, the flash adapter and the Gel Pack.
3. The XT Flash Extender is another clever flash accessory from Harbor Digital Design. Sliding it easily into place on the Flash Adapter, the Extender gives photographers 2 or more additional stops of light at 100 feet, based on the flash model in use. Subjects and objects beyond the fall of light produced by a “bare” flash are now well illuminated. The XT Flash Extender is a must for any photographer trying to capture images of wildlife and shoot from a greater distance. Sports photographers covering outdoor or indoor sports will recognize the value and competitive edge of the XT Flash Extender as soon as they start shooting with it.
The XT Flash Extender kit includes a custom Flash Adapter, small Dome, Black Box, Fresnel lens (with a storage sleeve) and lens holder.
As a PhotographyTalk member or visitor, you qualify for an additional 15% off the current special offers for the Ultimate Light Box Kit, Quick Spot, XT Flash Extender and ALL other Harbor Digital Design flash-enhancement products. This offer is valid from May 1 through May 31, 2012. Please use the discount code, PT15, for these big savings. To order today, visit www.harbordigitaldesign.com.
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Photograph © Harbor Digital Design