Customer Product Reviews

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Pros: accepts FlexTT5 triggers, tilt adjust, solid construction

Cons: doesn't fit previous generation softbox very well

Best Uses:

Describe Yourself: Professional Photographer

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

I really like this bracket, the construction quality seems very good.

The only reason that it doesn't get a top rating is that I purchased it use on my existing Alzo Porta Flash softbox. The original bracket was not designed to allow the use of PocketWizard FlexTT5 triggers whereas the new bracket is big enough to use them.

Unfortunately, the new bracket does not fit well on the old softbox. It can be made to work somewhat but it's a bit of a round hole / square peg situation owing to a slight increase in the diameter of the ring.

In the end, I was able to mount the ring off my old bracket on the new bracket and things fit together properly now.

So, because I had a specific requirement that this bracket was only able to partially satisfy, it only earns three stars from me. If I had purchased it to work with the current softbox however, I suspect that I would have given it four stars or perhaps even the full five stars.

Pros: Easy to assemble

Cons: Diffuser could be larger

Best Uses: Product Photography or head shots

Describe Yourself: Professional Photographer

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

I break this down and put up every few days and I can be ready to shoot within a ten minute time frame. The actual softbox is very easy to assemble. The Ring fits snuggly. I'm giving this a five star rating because so far I've not noticed light seepage from corners where diffuser does not meet. That would be my only complaint is that the diffuser could be just a tad larger so that all four corners are plugged. This is my 2nd softbox from ALZO.

Pros: Good Quality

Cons:

Best Uses: On Site

Describe Yourself: Professional Photographer

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

After I figured out how to undo black velcro covering the rods, it was a synch to break down. Took less than three minutes to put together and the same for breaking down and putting in the handy carrying bag. Comes with instructions. Most people I know leave their softboxes open due to the time it takes to put together and break down. I was prepared to return if it was too difficult. Many times I have to walk a distance and I don't want to be carrying an open softbox. Diffuser folds over the outside eliminating any possible light seepage. To end...I bought this based on reviews of other softboxes by other companies. Yes, it's more expensive...so don't eat out for a week.

Pros: Great for the price and features offered compared to other brands.

Cons: Pain to assemble and bolt that hods bracket to the ring doesn't seem secure. Not as easy to fold up as collapsables.

Best Uses: Small studio product shots, head shots, single person portraits in or out of studio.

Describe Yourself: Semi-Pro Photographer

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

I got this before I found other 24 " boxes closer to the expensive Lasolite that also collapses. I am still glad I went with Alzo. The box is a bit of a pain to set up, but I think taking it down and then back up will be easier with that velcro. You don't have to completely disassemble it either. The other boxes are not really 24 " where it counts; the white diffuser area. This box does not have the flaps which I would miss on a bigger box, but maximizes the spread on these small ones. The other important point is the inside diffuser is missing on many of the other brands including Lastolite now. That may give you more light, but wont diffuse as well. I am glad I have the choice to use it or not. On my Nikon SB800 there is plenty of light output for the type of jobs this was designed for. Don't try to shoot 6 people with this though, it wont look soft that far back.
My only complaint is the screw that holds the bracket to the ring hits the ring and does not tighten properly. It looks different in the instructions, so that must have changed. I think this may cause the box to come off the bracket in wind, so I may look for another replacement bolt without the had turning know and screw that in.

Pros: low cost, soft light

Cons: setup / breakdown

Best Uses: product shots, portraits

Describe Yourself: Photo Enthusiast

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

This softbox turned my Nikon SB-600 into a great soft light, and the mount works great on my existing light stand. Using my D90's wireless flash commander mode, I've got a wireless soft strobe for $100 (for the Alzo product) plus $215 (for the SB-600). While the results are great for such a low-cost setup, there are a few negatives I've noticed:
- The strobe needs to be relatively close to the subject.
- The softbox takes some practice to assemble and breakdown.
- It would have been great had the softbox mount lay flat when disassembled (for compact transport). This is a minor point, but some clever engineering could have fixed this.

All in all, this is a great solution for anyone looking for a low-cost diffuser for an off-camera strobe.
-- Jim

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