FotodioxEZ-Pro Octagon Softbox 48" with Speedring for Bowens Gemini Standard, Classica Powerpack, R, RX & Pro Series Strobe

I finally took the leap and invested in a high-quality softbox for my self-portrait photography, and I couldn't be happier with the results. Setting it up is a breeze, and it has truly elevated my self-portraits to a whole new level. The difference in lighting is remarkable, and I'm thrilled that I made this purchase. It's a worthwhile investment that has enhanced the quality of my photography, and I'm glad I finally took the plunge.

I really wanted to be able to give this a 5 star review but with having to tweak this unit just to get it to work right lost it a star. When I received mine and set it up for the first time I noticed that it wasn't quite straight. I had to spend some time tweaking the rods a little to get it to be a little more uniform.The features:Beauty Dish: great idea, poor execution. They didn't bother to include a way to secure it into position. I had to use a couple of clothes pins to hold in place, my other clamps were too cumbersome, clothes pins fit the bill well.Umbrella style: opens like an umbrella and works great as far as that goes.Mine came with the speedring for the bowens and also had an Einstein/AlienBee speedring attached to the setup, so I got both. It was a nice surprise as I needed both anyway. It's pretty easy to swap out the rings also.This is a nice and easy/quick setup option for those that don't want to have to spend 10 minutes setting up just one box. Then you can go with the cheaper units but this is about as good as you are going to get for this price range and the purpose these are intended for. I wish they would release a properly fitting grid for it though. If it wasn't for all the little things that I had to fix I would have given it a higher rating but I didn't have any other option. Still a good buy though.

Two main parts in this product that do warrant to be reviewed separately, the soft box and the speedring.First the soft box: It was relatively easy to deploy once you realize that there is a locking mechanism, and that the only way to lock it is to place your hand through one of the four hook and loop openings in the back and pull. The other method that works well, when the light diffuser is not installed, is to place the ring side on the ground and push downwards, with both hands, on the mechanism around the center rod until it locks in place.The internal light diffuser was easy to install, using the elastic corners and hooks preinstalled (sewn) in the unit. The external light diffuser was a little more tricky, as I wanted it to be as flat as possible, with no wrinkles in it, that possibly could deflect some of the light in unwanted directions.The best way I found was to install the deployed unit on a projector, place it on a telescopic tripod and tilt the top forward, using the strobe hinge to lock it in place. This allowed me to hold the top of the hook and loop on the diffuser and stretch with both hands as I applied it on the top edge of the box. Then I did both the sides, and finally the bottom. After I was done, I had to reposition the top a little bit to eliminate all wrinkles. I also made sure that all the material (black side of the cloth) was pulled outside of the ring, so that most of the light would be trapped and could only flow through the front of the box and not the back.Second, the speedring: In the back of the ring, there is a screw, meant to be used as a brake to create a positive lock between the box and the ring during installation. I tried to lock the ring, but there was no way as not enough pressure was created to fully lock the ring. I simply added one washer to the one already provided, underneath the screw, which did the trick. It was then easy to quarter turn the box to lock it on the strobe. When done, do not forget to release the screw so that the box can be freely oriented in it desired position. Leaving the screw locked in place would risk unhooking the box from the strobe, and the box could fall off.Overall this is a great product for the price.

If you had asked my a month ago, I would have given this a 1 star rating. BUT, Fotodiox customer service was awesome. I first ordered this softbox and it took several weeks to arrive. After it arrived the speedring would not fit on my Photogenic Lights. I sent it back and ordered again thinking the wrong speedring was shipped. Second softbox arrived with the same issue. So, I wrote them about my issues. They told me that they had reports of the problem and that they could send me the fix. Well, I had already ordered a replacement speedring directly from Fotodiox and once it arrived, it fit fine. I emailed them the good news and they offered to refund me the cost of the replacement speedring. They refunded my account within the hour. So, I am a happy photographer with a product that is so easy to set up and produces wonderful light. Their customer service saved the day and I highly endorse this product. I reduced by one star for the lack of quality control in the first place. Thank you Fotodiox for a prompt, friendly and proper resolution to this strange issue.

Why is this my personal favorite style of strip box? Two main reasons. I like the larger size (12"x56") for full length rim lighting AND it has the quick setup capability (make sure that it's the EZ-Pro model and not the "Pro" (assemble rod by rod) model. It's the tallest size that I've been able to find that still has the quick umbrella style setup. I use the included deflector to help get more of the light to the two far ends of the softbox. The light output won't be even for ANY of the larger strip softboxes, but this helps significantly.I'd strongly suggest picking up the matching grid, as normally you'd be using the strip softbox to create a narrower vertical beam of light highlighting the sides of your subject.If you're looking for a taller strip softbox that you'll be frequently setting up and taking down (i.e. one that's a quick setup), then I'd recommend this style.

The media could not be loaded.  The only reason I didn't give this softbox a solid 4 or even 5 star review is because the reflector disc that it came with is made of the cheapest, most garbage plastic known to man. The FIRST time I opened up the softbox and slid the disc onto the rod, it bent and nearly cracked all the way through. Luckily, it's still working for now but after a few more shoots, I anticipate it's going to end up in the recycling bin and I'll be searching only for a metal reflector disc to replace it with (hopefully this stuff is standard size and easy to replace). Fotodiox, if you read this review please let me know if you have a metal disc version, I'll be emailing your customer service directly in the coming days too.

This punches some great soft light at an amazing price for a 5ft octa. Its massive, and is very well constructed with what looks to be decent quality parts. It folds up and comes with a cheaper fabric bag that the softbox fits into.Setting up the softbox went pretty well. To open up the box it takes some strength to push the umbrella rod and lock it into place but it gets easier each time you do this. There is an internal baffle and then an outside diffusion fabric that velcros into place. It stays put quite well and seems to be good quality velcro.The speed ring can be changed out. I bought a bowens speed ring adapter with this so it would work on some of my interfit lights. It should take any speed ring adapter. The plate removes with a few tiny screws that hold it into place.There are flaps at the back of the octa that un-velcro to allow heat to escape.Overall this is a solid octa for the price that is easy to setup and is built quite well.

Like other Fotodiox Pro Studio Solutions softboxes, this is an excellent product. The quality is significantly better than their regular softboxes, with better superior materials and diffusion filters. and a significantly above-average carrying case.The style of umbrella softbox is also great; I prefer the ones that mount the light on the rear with a speedring because they can be angled or mounted on a boom more easily, and I like the umbrella-style opening because the setup/takedown is very fast. On the other hand, in order to have both, the softbox needs to be quite a lot larger for storage and transportation, but this is a good trade-off in most cases, in my opinion.The speedring size (required outer diameter) is 6" or 152mm, should you wish to swap it.

A useful and versatile product that can be purposed for a number of different scenarios. My favourite is to use it with the small beauty dish and without the diffusors to take a somewhat more realistic portrait that doesn't smooth over or obscure the details. Used without the dish but with the baffles will give a softer, broader throw and be useful in small groups. A great second light to add to key. Initial assembly took me a hot minute to accomplish for my Alienbees.