Posted on by Terry White

Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe Softbox Review

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I got a chance to try out the Lastolite Ezybox for Hotshoe Flashes over the weekend and I’m quite pleased with the results. The Ezybox is  designed to be a light modifier for your hotshoe flash. Basically a softbox for your speedlight. The kit comes with everything you need to setup a softbox for your speedlight in about 2 minutes. Once you take it out of the bag, it pops right up to it’s full size in one easy motion. You then place the hotshoe bracket/ring on the back of it and you’re ready to mount it on a light stand or pole for hand held use. Of course the only thing missing at this point is your speedlight.

Bella without the Ezybox

Without using the Ezybox

 

I tested this out on location using my Nikon SB-800. Since the Nikon Speedlights can operate wirelessly out of the box (with a compatible Nikon DSLR or Commander unit), there wasn’t really anything that I needed to configure on my Nikon D700 that I hadn’t already done. I slid the SB-800 into the shoe on the bracket, locked it and turned it on. Then I popped up the built-in flash on the D700 and fired away. When the D700’s flash is set to Commander mode you can control the power output of the SB-800 (600 or 900) right from the back of the camera. The popup flash is only sending out a pulse at this point, so while it may look like it’s firing, there is virtually no light hitting the subject.

Bella shot with the Ezybox

Using the Ezybox with a Nikon SB-800

 

The Bottom Line

I’ve used both shoot through umbrellas and now the Ezybox and I have to say that I prefer the Ezybox. The light is more controlled and it also just looks better to my eye. The only thing I wish is that that bracket that comes with it was a bracket that tilts. You can get a tilting bracket as an accessory, but it’s not included. While I have strobes for studio use, this makes a great solution for travel or on location shooting. You can find out more about the Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe and accessories from their website.

The EZYBOX Hotshoe comes in different sizes. The 15"x15" model goes for $164 and the 24"x24" model goes for $217 at B&H Photo.

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17 Replies to “Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe Softbox Review”

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

    1. 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.

      1. 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

  9. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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

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