Fotodiox 12" Octagon Softbox Compatible with Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Sony and MoreSpeedlites

I use this with various flashguns that are typically around guide number 58 or so (YN560, YN568EX, 580EXII). I have previously used the smaller Fotodiox 6" softbox (the smaller rectangular one) to great success. When combined with off camera flash (even up at a high 45 degree angle) it seriously softens the edges of light to shadow. This can be incredibly versatile - position to hang down and shoot someone's hair... use it as a fill light... It offers some directionality control, but not a fine degree of it.This softbox, being a much larger surface area than the 6" version, has a more pronounced softening effect on the light. I attach the diffusion cloth on the velcro inside the neck with as much slack as it will allow, then put an omnibounce plastic diffuser on the head of the flash, then put it in the softbox and strap it on. If you do this, you'll need to play with it to see how much light you're losing to diffusion and adjust accordingly.One thing to be aware of: if using this in a low light environment, this will (100%) block the IR AF Assist beam that your flash puts out from below the flash head (if your flash has that). If you are using flash prefiring for TTL etc., then bear in mind it may not work as expected because you're losing a lot of light.Comes with a handy little bag with a loop on it to attach to other things.Bottom line: not the be all and end all of light. But it is highly portable, and makes a useful and inexpensive addition to any lighting kit.

I used this Fotodiox 12" Octagon Softbox on my niece the other day and it worked great for my fill light. up close (couple feet away) it will smooth out the edges just enough and get rid of hot spots on her skin from a direct blast from a speed light. further away the shadows become a bit more defined (which will happen based on the size of the light source relative to the distance from target).I can mount it on my canon 6D while sporting a 480ex flash and 100 2.8L macro lens (aka: my portrait lens). the softbox is just the right size to rest on the tip of the lens (without lens hood), helping to keep it level. and you don't see it in the viewfinder. a shorter lens you MAY see it, but seeing how I didn't use a shorter lens I can't vouch for that.mostly used it off camera and it worked great using a ETTL cord.it's a good price for what it is. I use it as a on the go diffuser so if I'm visiting family or friends I have something on hand ready for last minute pictures. and if you're new to strobe photography head over to youtube and look up "Digital Photography 1 on 1 Episode 3" to get a better idea about how diffusion works. it will explain further why up close the edges are smoother than further away and much more to help you decide what you need.

THE POSITIVES:Only ONE positive note for this item is that it makes nice small and unobtrusive catch lights. That's it!!!THE NEGATIVES:I am really shocked with the reviews praising this item. I did an extensive A/B comparison between this 12" Octagon modifier and 4 umbrellas and a flash used separately. Obviously, the white umbrella shot through or bounced works best. However, what shocked me is how poorly this modifier worked compared to using only a flash with the flash built in wide angle diffuser applied; the results were the same as using the Octagon soft box.I also did the following methods to try to help the 12" Octagon Soft box function appropriately:- shot with flash diffuser applied- shot with flash diffuser off- shot with omni bounce diffuser on the flash and inside the soft box; I did this with the flash diffuser on and off, and on a separate set of test shots even stuffed the omni bounce with a card to block direct light so light would only bleed through the sides of the omni bounce diffuser. Obviously, this drastically reduced light output, but thought I would try to see the effect.Bottom line: USELESS. I believe the fabric on the 12" Octagon soft box is WAY too thin to have an impact, and the material is not made appropriately to diffuse the light accurately. Throw a piece of white thin silk around your flash with the wide angle diffuser on and you will have a more feasible soft box that does not sag on your camera.This leads to the worst negative of the soft box... it is limp, saggy, and will not fit squarely around the flash. I knew this would be an issue before buying, but the fact the seems are sewed out of alignment makes things worse. Add to this, the soft box flops down in the line of sight of the lens so it shows in pictures if you do not hold up the soft box itself. This makes composing shots impossible, so I tried using it off camera, but it just is not worth the hassle. Buy this soft box and you will regrettably find for yourselves what I am explaining.Overall, this thing is a joke.

You get what you pay for sometimes and this is one. Also, more research on the buyers part is in order. It is okay made and fits tight on my 600EX RT. But when using a short lense the flash cannot be put all the way down. It is in the lenses way. If anything, I would suggest the 8 inch version or a rectangular version.

Not sure why people pay so much for umbrella's, this baby works great in studio and on location for events. It is always in my bag ready to go. You can see the softness of the light on the subject. this is a great filter for your flash. Get one.