Best Softbox For Speedlight To Take Perfect Photos
Any photographer knows how important it is to keep a balance between light and shadow in the shot. If you're shooting in a location where there's too much light or it's the poor quality of light, or you happen to be photographing in a badly-lit studio, you need to add a softbox for Speedlight to your photo-arsenal. A best softbox for speedlight will allow you to manage how and where light is falling properly.
The softbox (or the number of softboxes you might require) will depend entirely on the event and the location. Smaller softboxes for Speedlight might be better if you're shooting a portrait of one person, while several softboxes might be required if you're photographing a group or in a larger venue. If you are shooting in a room with green screen, then having the softboxes a kind of necessary requirement.
Of course, a lot depends on the quality of the Speedlight itself, and a lot of softboxes are rectangular or shaped such that they help to contain the light and direct it towards the object being photographed. As with a lot of photography paraphernalia, there are a lot of softboxes on the market. So what are some of the best softbox for speedlight you should be considering? Let's find it on the list.
BEST SOFTBOX FOR SPEEDLIGHT REVIEW
1. NEEWER - BEST OCTA SOFTBOX FOR SPEEDLIGHT
One of the best softbox for speedlight is this highly-reflective, foldable one from Neewer. There's no assembly required as you're rushing from one shoot to another because it comes in a black carry bag, and it's just a matter of folding it out. No screws or stands required to set this useful octagonal softbox up.
This is particularly good for portraits because it provides a nice gentle light, but you could also use it for wedding or prom photos, or any event. The light might be soft, but it's sharp. The lightbox is designed for a strobe flash, with two white diffusers to manage the light.
You can get a nice natural lighting effect with this softbox, and the metal rods ensure that the softbox won't lose its shape. The rings are plastic, but they seem durable and will probably last you quite a while. The umbrella-like shape helps to scatter light evenly, too.
You don't get any instructions or a manual, but the setup is pretty intuitive for a collapsible softbox like this one. It also works well for outdoor shots and is stiff enough to withstand high wind.
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2. GLOW EZ - BEST BOWENS MOUNT SOFTBOX FOR SPEEDLIGHT
My second pick for the best camera accessories for speedlight is this parabolic softbox from the brand Glow. This is a great option for photography pros who want to add some polish to their lighting. It's umbrella setup gives you great balanced light for shoots and the fact that the softbox has such depth accurately diffuses the light.
This softbox is well worth the money. It can be a great option for fashion shoots, and it has a reflective silver interior with removable diffusers. The EZ Lock makes it easy to open up the softbox and lock it in place and loosen it for when it has to be packed away.
The aluminum rods make it a well-constructed tool that you can easily take on the road or travel without worrying about tears or accidents. The highly-compact cylindrical fabric bag that the Glow EZ comes in makes it very easy to fold into and carry and keeps the item safe and snug in storage.
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3. KAMERAR D-FUSE - BEST PORTABLE SOFTBOX FOR SPEEDLIGHT
The D-Fuse from Kamerar is a light softbox that is also quite compact. The softbox rods are magnetic and can easily be connected to fully set up the softbox with attachment straps to mount the Speedlight.
The grid that comes with the softbox helps prevent light from spilling or seeping out, and the materials that the speed box is made from (unbleached nylon) are capable of diffusing light very easily.
One of the best things about the Kamerar D-Fuse softbox is that it folds up very well into a small, compact circle, and it won't take up much space in your equipment kit. The carrying pouch can easily be tossed into a bag to take from shoot to shoot, although it would be better if the grid had its own space to keep it in place.
But the fact that this gear is so easy to travel with and takes up such little room is a huge plus, particularly if you have a lot of other heavy tech and rigging to keep an eye on.
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4. GODOX - BEST SOFTBOX FOR SPEEDLIGHT WITH GRID
This foldable softbox from Godox is one of the best softbox for speedlight with its S-type bracket. You can mount or fit all kinds of speedlights due to the softbox's versatility, and mounting itself is quite easy.
The softbox has an umbrella input hole to adjust the lighting setup, and there is a handle to adjust direction as well. The inside of the softbox is reflective silver, and the body is made of plastic. The softbox comes with a grid in a honeycomb style to control light spilling.
By using this softbox, you can manage the kind of light you're getting in your shots. You can get a really strong color and good contrast and hopefully evening out skin tone with the light if you're shooting portraits.
Overall, the size is also pretty small and folds away into a carry bag with a handle. You also get a cleaning cloth, so that's a great bonus.
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5. NEEWER - BEST BUDGET SOFTBOX FOR SPEEDLIGHT
This is a cheaper option from Neewer, but it will still do a very good job. It's a small and light-weight thing and pops out, so there's no fiddling around required to get it into position.
Full light will be filtered into a much softer, camera-worthy effect with this softbox, and you can mount the Speedlight two ways: horizontally and vertically, which gives you a lot more scope to play around with your light setting. You can use the adjustable grip to mount your Speedlight.
This is one of the best softbox for speedlight out there, and it works best with intimate close-up portraits. You may need another softbox for full portraits, but for the price, you can't beat this.
The softbox pulls down in a triangular form, and you can tuck it away into a carrying case, so it's easy to move around with. A great choice for portrait shoots, and very sturdy and solid despite being quite light.
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- Softbox diffuses light to spread out effect.
- S-type mount for Speedlight helps you shoot anywhere.
- Hole for umbrella input to adjust light in studio.
- Made of strong plastic material.
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6. KAMERAR D-FUSE CIRCULAR SOFTBOX
This is another D-Fuse model from Kamerar that's just slightly higher but still very affordable for a softbox. It has a new patented Lock System where the magnetic tubes snap together efficiently so that the softbox can be stretched and held together for a long time. This softbox unfolds into a circle-like shape and collapses very easily too. You use the attachment straps to mount the Speedlight.
The softbox material is nylon, and the grid provided also helps to direct light. The circular pouch is good for storage and for taking it around places. This is quite a popular product as well, so you can be assured that it's one of the best softbox for speedlight out there that money can buy (at a decent rate!).
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7. NICEFOTO - BEST OUTDOOR SOFTBOX FOR SPEEDLIGHT
NiceFoto's umbrella-style softbox is also one of the best softbox for speedlight, and it can be used for a lot of different shoots, from fashion photography to videos. It's made of high-density nylon, which makes it very reflective, and the softbox will also make sure to eliminate any shadows in the setup so you can get the perfect light arrangement.
This softbox is on the pricier side, but it's very easy to set up (in a matter of seconds, and it can be folded away conveniently in a cylindrical handle bag. If you need only one softbox that is versatile and can tackle various kinds of shoots, you should check out this NiceFoto product.
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8. GODOX SOFTBOX WITH BOWENS MOUNT
This is a mid-range Godox softbox in an octagonal shape with a Bowens Mount. The assembly can be a bit hard to figure out to start with, but it's a very large softbox and can really work to direct your light the way you need it.
You can use it for more ambitious shoots and projects which take place outdoors as well. It can also be very good for fashion shoots and portraits.
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9. TRIOPO KX65 PORTABLE OCTAGON SOFTBOX
A very popular softbox from Triopo, this is a versatile option at a reasonable price. The 8-pole body is easy to collapse and gives a lot of support to the fabric when the softbox is set up. The fabrics are long-lasting and won't easily crease even when folded up.
The inner reflective surface also ensures that the light temperature won't be affected and streamlines light accurately to enhance your photos.
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10. GVM SOFTBOX LIGHTING KIT
Finally, one of the best softbox for speedlight is this one from GVM. This is pretty large and will work well for big shoots or outdoor shots, with a Bowens Mount and silver embossed linings making the interior very reflective.
It works with Speedlights, flash, and strobe, so it's quite a versatile product. It's also portable so that it can be used for travel photography as well.
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CONCLUSION
By now, you must have picked out a new softbox from this list of the best softbox for speedlight. It all depends on your light requirements: your photography space, when you're working, and what you're shooting.
The ideal softbox is versatile, can mount different Speedlights easily, can be used both indoors and outdoors, and is portable. But it can be difficult to find something that ticks all those boxes. You'll still get some very good quality softboxes on this list, though, and the prices aren't too steep either. So get shopping for a new softbox tool to add to your photography kit!
