Modifier shootout! What's the difference between Soft boxes, parabolics & umbrellas?

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Finding the perfect portrait modifier.
Over the last 20 or so years, I have acquired about 20 different softboxes, but I have never actually sat down and tested them out in the studio, one at at a time, to determine the quality of light produced by each modifier when shooting portraits. To learn how I use all of my soft boxes, please check out this video: • The hard truth about s...
A few weeks ago I shared with you a test I conducted with five large modifiers to see if parabolic style soft boxes were more directional than regular soft boxes and umbrellas ( • Do parabolic soft boxe... ), the answer was yes, slightly. So today's video will follow-up and examine the light quality differences between the best modifiers.
After watching the video I would love to hear how you plan on using your modifiers in the future.
Elinchrom Rotalux Deep Octabox 100cm amzn.to/2UEwvas
Elinchrom Litemotiv 120cm Parabolic Softbox amzn.to/39FJ5e1
A grid for the 120 I salvaged from another modifier
Elinchrom Deep Umbrella (White, 49″) www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06...
Elinchrom Translucent Diffuser for Deep Umbrella (49″) www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06...
Elinchrom Rotalux 135cm Octabox amzn.to/2wg4E6Y
Elinchrom Indirect Litemotiv Octabox 190cm / 74-Inch www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
For more information and to sign up for my workshops please visit johngress.com/workshops/
Crew
B-Roll by Rob Tracy www.robtracystudios.com/
Styling by Pablo Roberto / proberto331
Model Paulo: / paulo_gbazo
Please check out my IG: / johngressmedia
Music: Evolution by Bensound bensound.com/

[@bigwoofphotography]

Thank you for finally offering the nerdiest lighting content I have been waiting for all my life

[@JohnGress]

LOL! I live for it. Thanks!!

[@trizzleseven]

word! Me too!

[@ahmadsyahidi5209]

the way you explain makes your channel looks like the master class

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!

[@user-rl3qf6gg4w]

One of the best channels with analysis of light schemes. Thank you very much and come to us in Russia!

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!🙏🏼

[@sheridansheridan8946]

Yes - PLEASE do the diffusion disk comparison! This video gives a much needed comparison between the softbox modifiers, and having a second part to it would definitely give some insight into whether one was more versatile than the other when the beauty dish component is factored in!

[@JohnGress]

Sounds great! Thanks!

[@yanafridabinaev]

Such a great video and overview! Thank you John!

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!

[@robertruffo2134]

Yes please on any and all tests!

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! I am glad you liked them!

[@MrBritishGent]

Really useful and interesting! Thanks, John.

[@JohnGress]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you!

[@rachelkarengreen99]

LOVE THIS TEST!!! ONE thing I wish you would have done is tell the model to stay still so the light isn't at a different angle on his face for every modifier.

[@JohnGress]

I hear ya. I’m doing bette r now. But thank you!

[@mikestewart4733]

Thanks for the detailed results...very helpful. For a future video I'd love to have you cover your two wall set and floor building techniques. Especially when using paper/canvas/fabric for the walls as you've done here vs. building flats. (although building a flat would be a great video too!)

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Mike! I’ll add that to the list 😁

[@bobortiz]

Love your Videos.I use all Lights and Modifyers 43 years as a photographer I can make any light look good .I had to buy in the 1970-80 what was available to buy.

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Bob! Time for me to thin the herd!

[@Petramojomusic]

A true Master!Thank you!!!

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!

[@alextab25]

I really appreciated the warm lighting you used to film yourself.

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!

[@mikeyi4304]

Love this video John! Thank you I love deep octa 100cm

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@christiansantiagophotography]

Fascinating comparison. I’ve been using cheap grand glow modifiers but am starting to appreciate the nuances of various higher quality modifiers.

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much! I started using Elinchrom softboxes because of their quality before I started using their lights.

[@salvamando1]

Great tutorial! I don’t use the same brand of modifiers (and I’m just learning lighting!), but this made me finally understand what feathered light means! Baby steps! LOL Thanks for creating and posting this!

[@JohnGress]

Awesome, thank you! One step at a time and don't stop moving!

[@marekpiotrowski3566]

Great video.

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it

[@wolfgangk1]

It's refreshing to FINALLY see videos where the photographer actually knows what he/she is doing. I've seen some that are one-trick-ponies that I frankly couldn't imagine who'd be interested and the rest are, what I call, "Instagram pictures"---no art or sophistication, generic, and sadly the road I see photography going.

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I too watch some videos and just scratch my head.

[@klausalbrecht2110]

Dear John, thank you very much for all these informative videos. You are a very clear and pleasant speaker as well. I am an Elinchrom user since many years and I own the Rotalux deep okta 100, together with many others. From the price vs. quality point of view the Elinchom equipment is hardly beatable. I lately came across an umbrella from Walimex with 190 cm dimeter. This can be an helpful tool in situations when my main light is window light, but I need just a bit more to fill up the shadows. This tool is cheap and easy to handle. V-Flats from V-Flat world I use quite a lot in portrait work and even for business portraits. These are great tools for this kind of work, especially in a small studios like mine or on location. Please, continue this great series! Kind regards Klaus

[@JohnGress]

Danke Klaus! I use Vflats all of the time too and i really wanted to use one in this video!

[@javadahmadi]

Great video. Thanks

[@JohnGress]

Thanks!! I hope it helped.

[@jamiefraser87]

Thanks for this! For me, its still the umbrella for the perfect balance of light quality, practicality and price point! The 100cm deep octa does look something I could see myself picking up though!

[@JohnGress]

I hear ya! Yesterday I upgraded my socked umbrella with a $10 shower curtain liner. Give it a try 😁

[@karstenbursak8083]

had the same thoughts a couple of months ago. but for different reasons due to covid and lockdown here in europe I had to give up my studio space and downscale my equipment to concentrate on on location work. I got rid of all softboxes and only kept 3 umbrellas ... quick to break down and easy to transport, even on public transportation. If I need something special I still can rent it. Did the same with my cameras and lenses.

[@JohnGress]

I hear ya. I would be betting if I simplified my life!

[@ronwhite7304]

Once again, great stuff, John. I think it's important to mention that once you understand lighting, with few exceptions you can make any one of these modifiers produce whatever type of light you want via scrims, discs, grids, more or less diffusion, distance from the subject, etc. Once the photographer realizes this he or she knows they have mastered an important part of lighting. I love your work and your style. You could tell me I'm an idiot and I would say thank you.

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Ron. No I think you're right in general, it's just that you can't always move a 75" / 190cm modifier far enough away or make a 100cm cover 4 people well. I just did a demo where I further refined a modifier with a $10 shower curtain and now you're making me wonder if the Litemotiv 120 + shower curtain = Indirect 190. =)

[@ronwhite7304]

@@JohnGress ...and when someone is paying you nothing is more impressive than a big named modifier even though a styrofoam ice cooler covered with a trash bag produces some of the most beautiful light in photography.

[@billjohnson3323]

love to see a comparison that includes reflectors.

[@robertosaliretoucher8686]

Your videos are very informative, entertaining and enjoyable your videos. I hope I can continue to see interesting things like today on your channel. A hug. Greetings from Mexico!

[@JohnGress]

Muchos gracias Roberto! I really appreciate it and you can basically expect one video per week.

[@robertosaliretoucher8686]

@@JohnGress Excellent, fortunately all the videos are of great interest. I saw the first one and said "This guy knows how to motivate." I subscribe and become a fan. LOL

[@JohnGress]

Thank you! You are too kind. =)

[@sezair0]

Thanks a lot for compare it

[@JohnGress]

My pleasure!

[@civinenad]

Pure gold

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!

[@RemiManWithVan]

That’s very interesting comparison. I’m owing good few umbrellas and soft boxes and I guess good to make similar comparison to myself ...🤔

[@JohnGress]

Yeah the results may surprise you. Thanks!

[@Mowikan]

We have all most everything thing in our studio(150m2 450 square feet?) . From the 2meter indirect parabolic reflector to deep octa 135 and strips 40*160(or so) my college uses the deep octa 135 for full body shots. Using it soft she places them close and for the hard contrast shades types further away. I don’t do full body and mostly upper body and my favorite is the octa 100 or the 135 and pretty close. I found that quality of light of any source is mostly or also greatly depending on the distance of the light source tot your subject. Thx again and keep up the good work! Most new photographers must see these videos. Saves them a lot of money

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Billy! Your studio sounds great. And yes you’re right about the distance. While it seems so obvious, maybe I should make a video about it for beginners. After doing this test I am really curious about the 190 Litemotiv direct, But t don’t think I have enough space for it. I just used the umbrella in a demo so maybe I shouldn’t sell it 🤣 cheers!

[@Mowikan]

@@JohnGress the bigger the reflectors and softboxes, the more you’re keep driving them around you studio to do things. Very annoying!

[@markwillride]

Thank you for the detailed results and all the effort you put into your videos. Would all of the modifiers provide even softer light if you rotated the toward the subject a bit? It seems like from the subject’s perspective they would be larger that way. I’m sure you have a reason for keeping the front surface close to perpendicular to the lens. WhT us the reason?

[@JohnGress]

Thank you! The reason why the light is coming from 8 o'clock in the first scenario is the style of lighting and where I want the shadows to fall on the face. If I put it at 7 o'clock it would have a different vibe. You might want to watch this video for more information kzbin.info/www/bejne/anO1dn-EYs-in9k. The reason I pointed the light directly at them in Scenario 2 is so that people could get a sense of the performance in both positions.

[@genocideist]

i still using 120cm deep umbrella with diffuser for my to go business portrait , and 65cm deep octa for beauty shoot

[@JohnGress]

Thank makes sense. Portability. I always refer to the 70cm deep octa as my portable beauty dish.

[@genocideist]

@@JohnGress Yeah John, we need to compensate the modifier depend on the location and occasion. and thank you for always sharing your thoughts on this channel

[@yukonica4560]

Truly enjoy your work. ... and the background ladder! Where did you find that gem.

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! A friend gave it to me and it used to be his father in laws.

[@brettida3936]

love these John! great breakdown. I've been thinking about using more umbrellas, as they really are fast and portable - but wondering if you use them much at all? I am guessing you are more a softbox guy I think??? I am looking at large and XL deep umbrellas (white with no diffusion) to see what results I can get from them. If you have any umbrella comparisons I would be interested to see them too. thanks!!!!

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Brett! After seeing how the 125cm / 49” umbrella stacked up to the softboxes, I don’t want to use them for much more than backgrounds. But I do know what you mean!

[@carlosagsmendes]

Thank you for this great video John. This is really helpful! You mentioned that all modifiers were aligned with the model's face and chin. What was the distance between the modifiers and the model in the first setup? Did you keep the same distance for all modifiers? I would love to see the deflector version of this video :)

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Carlos! I should have mentioned that the distance was all basically the same distance, for the blue suit, as close as I could get it without it being in the shot. 30" (75cm) - 40" (1m). I will have a deflector version for the 120 in my forthcoming review of that modifier.

[@TheFragranceGuy]

You deserve more subscribers, keep up the good work and you will grow. Do you have a video on background? Trying to create KZbin video, for the light but not sure about the background

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much! Maybe this will help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2SbhnZ4gdCMias

[@virgian2]

Nice tests John👌🏾 Question: Were your octaboxes double or single defused? Thank you for sharing your knowledge ❤️

[@JohnGress]

They were diffused the way they are sold.

[@rodmehta5356]

I am considering a 90cm parabolic softbox, shooting through a diffuser curtain if more wrap around lighting is desired and to keep it simple and small and versatile. I would appreciate your valued opinions. Just subscribed to this channel because it explains clearly and without that hyperactive music that seems to the norm these days 😉 Many thanks!

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Rob. I am not really sure of other brads of modifers as quality can vary, but given the testing I conducted with my modifiers, that sounds like a solid plan.

[@rodmehta5356]

@@JohnGress Thank you so much for the reply, great channel. Have a lovely day!

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! You too!

[@user-we7sr7ft7m]

شكرا لك من المملكه العربيه السعودية

[@JohnGress]

على الرحب والسعة!

[@sebastianborowski273]

Thank you for the work you put into making this movie. I wonder if you know and used the Elinchrom Rotalux Indirect Deep Octa 150 and where is it positioned?

[@JohnGress]

Thank you! I have not used that modifier but I am very interested in trying it after making this video. 😊

[@sebastianborowski273]

@@JohnGress Great, I can't wait because you already have experience working with these softboxes like Litemotiv Octa 120 or Indirect Litemotiv Octa 190cm, so I would love to hear your opinion. Thank you once again and best regards.

[@raynaudier8622]

Love your content [I'm a suscriber]; would love to see this test done with a mannequin, so that the head position is exactly the same for all the shots [*EDIT - 😆Woop!! Sorry, just saw the other video where the mannequin was used; forgive me*]; but I appreciate the work done here also; thank you for this, & all the other, videos - you are a blessing to photographers.

[@JohnGress]

Ha! Welcome aboard. I understand where you are coming from but the mannequin doesn't have real skin and I would feel so clinical if I did that to a person, but I know it would be more useful.

[@mrlt1151]

I’m going to try to duplicate this test with my own modifiers. I select certain ones for specific tasks, but I think that’s primarily based on marketing or generally held opinions, not A-B tests.

[@JohnGress]

That is basically how I felt to. Oh well, at least I am not flying as blind as I used to be.

[@basantagautam8224]

Really Excellent to Teach you Modifire Setup. And i have one question to you, which is the good editing software Lightroom Classic CC or Capture One Pro ?

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much! Here is a video I created on that topic. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqOaqYuJgNV-iaM

[@basantagautam8224]

@@JohnGress Thank you so much 🙂🙏

[@shervinmedia351]

Hi John, which brand of saltboxes would you advice to combine with godox lighting system. Do they all need bowens adaptor?

[@JohnGress]

I think the Elinchrom softboxes are great and I’m pretty sure that you ca get Bowens mount rings for them. I was using Elinchrom soft boxes and pro photo lights before I switched over.

[@shervinmedia351]

@@JohnGress thank you very much. Was so helpful recommend. Now i know what to do🤗🙏

[@JohnGress]

Great to hear!

[@DavidRozing]

Hello John, I wonder, do you mount the light direct or indirect in this test/ in general? Litemotiv can do both, don't know about the others, I''m looking to purchase this one for my Profoto lights

[@JohnGress]

Hi David. This one only mounts forwards, others only mount backwards, but I don't know of any that do both. Sometimes Rotalux users will use the reverse mount from the 150 in different softboxes. Do you know how you would mount a light in the 150 backwards with something made by Elinchrom?

[@DavidRozing]

@@JohnGress Hi John, didn’t see a notification that you responded. Thank you for answering :)

[@DavidRozing]

@@JohnGress I have no idea how to mount a light in the 150 backwards with something made by Elinchrom at this moment

[@SusanneGeert]

Such a great and informative video - and what a lovely and down-to-earth personality. You have yourself a new subscriber 😊 Can I ask you which ONE modifier you would recommend for someone new to flash photography looking for an all-round modifier? I don't have a dedicated studio space som I bring out the things for each shoot (food or portraits) or take them with me on a shoot ;-) Thanks a lot in advance 🙏🏻

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much! I love the Elinchrom 100cm / 39" deep octabox. Another great choice is a Photek Umbrella - johngress.com/photek-softlighter-ii-umbrella/

[@SusanneGeert]

@@JohnGress Thank you! I guess the Elinchrom deep octagon isn't that easy to use for taking with me on shoots (compared to and umbrella)?

[@JohnGress]

The octa will take up more space than the umbrella but its still smaller than the other modifiers I used in this video.

[@piotrgorajek1289]

I've been buying so many softboxes, reflectors, beauty dishes and finally came across 6' silver umbrella and it blew my mind 🤯 I can nearly replace most of the junk I collected at way lower price, ease to carry, setup and modify

[@billyy123]

Thanks for your comment I have 2 speedlights and been looking in to softbox or umbrellas was interesting see you say 6.inch umbrella as most video's on this subject would suggest the light from them go everywhere but a 6 inch one sounds controlable is this the case .

[@karlbratby4349]

120 litemotiv para looks the nicest and most versatile, as long as got the pace to back it up if need be. great review.

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Karl! It’s been my go to ever sense!

[@alifonso1981]

Hello, quick quotation, did you have to increase/decrease the power with them? Very informative and professional, btw.

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! I changed the power input with each modifier so the light falling on his face metered the same with every flash.

[@eddyla00]

Most of the box have very subtle differences between them in term of light quality. Must be hard to decide one from the other😊 But anyway, nice elaborate comparison 👍

[@JohnGress]

Thank you! Yes many of them are similar.

[@wendygarfinkelgold]

Forgive me for asking this here - I hope ok. I have watched a lot of your videos - they are very good. I saw you mentioned a hand-cranked stand - and I can't remember what video it was... Thank you.

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWKwhmBpeZ5nfKs

[@wendygarfinkelgold]

@@JohnGress Oh my it was even in the title! LOL Thank you!

[@bp-blackshark]

Did you know, that for the Elinchrom 120cm Litemotiv is also a focus system available (not from Elinchrom, but you can use it)? So you also could use that lightshaper as a focusable reflector.

[@JohnGress]

I’ve heard one exists but I haven’t seen it. Do you have a link?

[@bp-blackshark]

@@JohnGress It might be a problem for you, because it´s a link from europe, where my location is (austria). I don´t know any other resource for that Bounce Focus Adapter. For your information: Aurora Lite Bank - a south korean company - is manufacturing also the Elinchrom Litemotiv, the Westcott Zeppelin and the Hensel GRAND deep parabolic softboxes. Aurora Lite Bank are calling their own versions Tera-D (deep) Softboxes. Now to the distributor in austria: i did ask them, how much the "Bounce Focus Adapter" would cost without the 120cm Tera-D softbox: about 480€ with mount-adapter for your flash units. Here is the link, which will show you the set Bounce Focus Adapter + 120cm Tera-D softbox: www.pro-digital.at/shop/lichtformer-von-aurora-fuer-hensel-blitzgeraete/1398-bounce-focus-adapter-mit-terra-box-120cm-aurora.html and here is a pdf with the description: www.pro-digital.at/shop/index.php?controller=attachment&id_attachment=82 The distributor might probably also sell international. You have to ask them.

[@bp-blackshark]

@@JohnGress And here is a link from Aurora Lite Bank (Germany), which is showing you the line of Tera-D softboxes: 90cm, 120cm, 150cm and 190cm. They also have flat Tera softboxes -190cm and 250cm - for the heavy duty adapter, so you can probably use them at a 45° angle without a "supporting" lightingstand on the edge. www.auroralitebank.de/produkt-kategorie/lichtformer-fuer-studioblitz/tera/

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! I will check ebay too.

[@paulcroes1653]

Hi, the design of Westcott, Hensel, Elinchrom and Aurora is the same. But the fabric of the Elinchrom is totally different then the Hensel. The Hensel have a soft silver coating, the Elinchrom is more rough.

[@joshmcdzz6925]

Thanks for the comparison.. the subtleties are very very small that I will hardly be able tell even when printed in a magazine. For me I use the 47'" ( sorry don't know the cm ) octagon and a 24" square softbox. But for group shots which I do more often, I find the 43" && 60" umbrella gives me the best result ( even light across all my subjects, no drama involved ). The softboxes are better for dramatic and artistic lightning.. Once again thanks for sharing.. BTW those softboxes are outrageously expensive.. $631, $1339 just for softboxes?

[@JohnGress]

The top modifiers from Elinchrom, Profoto and Broncolor are all relatively expensive compared to bargain or generic brands.

[@joshmcdzz6925]

@@JohnGress just outta curiosity, why?

[@gkhnbyzt]

Hey John how are you, i have also Litemotiv 120 and i purchase a rod from aliexpress and turn my litemotiv to the para reflector like indirect softbox or (broncolor para) i send the link i advise you to search for it have a good day

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! I haven’t found anyone selling one in the US.

[@billyy123]

Fools gold

[@emmanuelokpeh4941]

Hello sir... Can I DM u on IG.. I want to ask one question

[@JohnGress]

Johngressmedia 😊

[@craigwilliamjohnstonstudio]

fun and very informative and. makes me want to ditch my Profoto B1's.

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! I used to use Profoto lights and Elinchrom softboxes.

[@AR-vf7vg]

No much point if they are all used with the diffuser. Then they basically just differ by their size.

[@genin69]

Dont quite know why you would use the term parabolic in your description when you didnt use any parabolic light modifiers at all in the video? These were just softboxes vs umbrella boxes..

[@JohnGress]

The Litemotiv 120 is a parabolic shaped softbox.

[@genin69]

@@JohnGress the parabola is a very very specific shape and they dont have a central light adjusting rod.. The manufacturer might slap the word parabolic onto their product but its a marketing lie

[@pablovi77]

All very expensive modifiers. I think they’re quite out of reach from most of us.

[@darylnd]

"Litemotiv parabolic-style Sunbox." Um, no. A parabola is a specific curve, not some marketing buzzword. There's no such thing as "parabolic-style": it's parabolic or it isn't. True parabolic reflectors are extremely expensive due to the precision required to make them. Their purpose is to collimate light, which renders a particular effect versus that of a softbox, which diffuses light. It makes no sense at all to pass collimated light through diffusion material. Here's a link explaining the true meaning of "parabolic," with demonstration and sample images. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5DCf3uaaNegjtE

[@JohnGress]

Manufacturers describe softboxes with this shape as parabolic. You position doesn’t change what they are called or change the fact that there is a difference when you combine a shape like this with diffusion. The modifier shape has an effect on the spread of the light from the softbox. As shown here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6CTYmSPf5iDqrc plus the video you’re commenting on shows that light is different when modified by the different softboxes with different shapes.