****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I found this while looking for something else but it seems to be great for taking a large softbox on location. It was delivered on time and nicely packaged by both Fotodiox and AMAZON. Fedex delivered with hardly a scratch on the outer packaging. No instructions provided, but everything was straightforward. The metal Bowens style speed ring needed to be attached but a screwdriver took care of that. Next, I opened it up and snapped it open, very much like an umbrella. The Bowens fit right on. I was very happy with the overall kit which includes inner and out diffusers as well as a nice deflector dish to bounce the center of the flash back into the umbrella and block the hot spot. I note that the on-line photo above depicts the deflector installed backwards! Be sure to mount it with the side (with the ridges) you see in the photo facing back towards the flash tube and smooth side facing out of the umbrella. Any number of beauty dishes and some umbrellas use a curved deflector like this to achieve the same effect. None are bowed out like in the photo above. On a heavier duty light stand (westcott), this modifier and a Bowens Gemini 400 work quite well. It is well balanced, not too heavy. My initial results were a wonderful fill against a daytime outside window with just 1/3 power, 125th sec at F11 and about 800 ISO. I was expecting wonderful soft light and easily got it. The finish of this modifier is very good. The umbrella style works well; easy to set up and disassemble. The fabric is on the lighter side as may be expected for this application. Overall, I think it is a good fit for the photographer who cares for their equipment and does not intend it for everyday, heavy use. For a lot less than the price of a great modifier, I have two Fotodiox modifiers for the Bowens Gemini: this 48-in portable, easy to set up, deep octabox, AND a very nice 60-in octabox which, once set up, is quit solid, but much less portable. Note: results after using the deflector dish and the two diffuser panels were excellent. This set up lit up a whole portion of the room like it was a television set, yet the light on subject had a naturally soft, window light like cast. This ones's a keeper just like the last Fotodiox box I purchased.
