Comments on: Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe Softbox Review

By: Tim W

Tim W — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:19:10 +0000

Thanks for the review, Terry. I actually went out and purchased the 24″x24″ and while the light quality seems nice, I am growing very frustrated that it doesn’t tilt. I noticed a comment earlier about a bracket and you mentioned that you were leaning towards a Lastolite bracket.

I was curious, did you end up purchasing one and did it work? I very much want to buy one but am not sure what specifics to look for – I’m fairly new to lighting. Essentially I’m guessing there needs to be a tilt bracket that at the top acts as an extension of the lightstand so the EzyBox bracket will fit, and not just a hotshoe mount. Otherwise, I don’t know how I’d attach the EzyBox to another hotshoe mount.

Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

-Tim

By: Terry White

Terry White — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:40:06 +0000

I find larger to be better myself.

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:31:06 +0000

Thank you for this article. I’m about to buy, & am torm between the 15×15 or the 24×24 with an SB800.

Can anyone advise if the light output is greatly reduced on the larger version for exterior portraits.

Many thanks.

By: terrywhite

terrywhite — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:15:55 +0000

Thanks and yes it is the 24×24.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 22:57:59 +0000

Great article Terry. I think I’m going in that direction. Was that a 24X24 for sure?

By: Joseph Rowland

Joseph Rowland — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:14:21 +0000

I’ve been using the Ezybox for a few weeks now, really like the results. I’ve also attended some McNally workshops and he can make the thing sing. One note of caution, make sure you get the proper attachement for the SB-900- the older version will not fit the 900 shoe.

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 03:42:38 +0000

There is a cheaper alternative on eBay, I have a couple and like them very much. They fold up and go into a bag just like the Lastolite. The cool thing about this one is it is a ball head mount so it can tilt, swivel whatever you need!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-Canon-Speedlite-Flash-Softbox-Photo-Studio-Lights_W0QQitemZ360175386188QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item53dc203e4c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

By: Kelvin

Kelvin — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:50:14 +0000

Go for Tony.

It is a pretty good softbox. Very portable and very easy to setup. The built is pretty solid too. I bought it when there was a $30 rebate. Not sure if the rebate is still available.

A few more comments:
- the cold shoe that came with it is a little lose for my SB800. I can use the stand that came with SB800 but I cannot put the flash head all the way into the box. So I use a Stroboframe Bracket Shoe. (http://blog.yuestudio.com/2009/06/stroboframe-bracket-shoe-mount.html) With that, I can move the setup around without worrying about dropping the flash.
- I use the dome that came with the SB800 and push the flash head in the softbox. The light seems to be softer.
- Beside the size different, the 24″x24″ has 2 diffuse panels while the 15″x15″ has only one. (http://blog.yuestudio.com/2009/06/lastolite-ezybox-unbox.html)
- Don’t use the 5th battery compartment for SB800 and turn the sensor around. This makes CLS triggering more reliable. (http://blog.yuestudio.com/2009/07/ezybox-with-nikon-cls-update.html)

Here is a post on the light pattern using Ezybox. http://blog.yuestudio.com/2009/06/lastolite-ezybox-testing.html

Here are a few more

By: Tony Pettis

Tony Pettis — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 22:59:36 +0000

Great review. I’ve wanted one for a while, but that just ratchets up my interest.

By: Tony Pettis

Tony Pettis — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 22:59:04 +0000

Well, duh… Don’t I feel dumb. Fabulous idea, but that’s one of those things that when you see it, you go, “Why didn’t I think of that?” That will help even with an umbrella setup.

By: terrywhite

terrywhite — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:45:48 +0000

I leaning towards this one:
http://www.adorama.com/LSTSA.html?searchinfo=lastolite+tilt

By: Kelvin

Kelvin — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:08:02 +0000

I have the same setup. In order to trigger more reliable with CLS, I need to turn the flash around. Here is a picture of my setup:

http://blog.yuestudio.com/2009/06/using-ezybox-with-nikon-cls.html

By: Phillip

Phillip — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:23:24 +0000

Terry,

What tilting bracket do you use/ do you recomend. I have both sizes of the Ezybox and love their convenience and the resulting images, however, I am aggravated that the mount does not tilt.

Thanks.

By: Lance

Lance — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:21:46 +0000

Thanks for this review. very timely for me, as I’m in the market for one and doing the initial research now. I’m wondering which size you used (24 X 24 is my guess based on the pic above) and if you can comment on the ideal distance(s) you placed it from your subjects. I’ve only used softboxes a few times and it seems that each type has a different affect on light output.
thanks for your time.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:44:27 +0000

I have that softbox and it is really a wonderful thing. I also like that it comes with its own storage bag and when stored it does not take up a lot of room – perfect for travel.