LumiQuest SoftBox III LQ-119

I am a location based shooter. In short, all my gear must be portable (3 Nikon SB-900's, Nikon D300s w/ MB-D10, 5 lenses, brackets, light modifiers, stands, etc....). Lumiquest has always been a brand I trust. So, I decided to go with this product when I had to do some event photography for a local playhouse production of Beauty and the Beast (indoor and poor/mixed lighting).The build quality of the product is average. If you are really rough on your gear, this may be an issue. For most, I opine it would suffice for a long time. The design of the Softbox is clever in both its portability and function. When folded, the Softbox fits easily in any of my bags from a Domke Waxwear to a Lowepro 650AW. It even fits in my Domke vest pockets if needed. As a light source, the product offers even (no hot spots) soft light. However, you will of course experience a loss in light output (a little less than a full stop), though it is manageable and expected. In some cases you may experience slight light spillage from where the seams meet. This is easily corrected with some gaffer tape, though not needed. One flaw with the design, and perhaps unavoidable, is that the softbox will block the IR sensor of the flash. But I emphasize that the quality of light is fantastic.I recommend a cinch strap (LumiQuest UltraStrap LQ-126) as opposed to adhesive velcro. Though not sturdier, it will offer you more options and not leave adhesive residue on your flash guns.For on location event and portrait work, I highly recommend the LumiQuest Softbox.

I use LumiQuest UltraStrap Mounting Strap to attach it to SB-900 and SB-800 just so I don't have to have velcro tapes on the flash heads. It attaches quickly and securely and folds down flat for easy storage. You do get some light leakage around the edges but not enough to affect your shots.It works well off-camera as well as on-camera when you can't always bounce the light off the ceiling or the walls or when you are just too close to the subject for bounce flash. it looks a bit dorky with on-camera flash, but it works. It can't replace a larger softbox or shoot-through umbrella in the field but it's a way better option than a bare flash or even a Stofen diffuser.It's pricier than comparable portable softboxes and I'm not so sure the material will hold up under heavy pro use but you're paying for the good idea behind this diffuser.

This is a well made, nice light modifier that you can use on location when you need portability and do not have other options, beeing much better than a bare flash or a standard plastic difuser. After some testing, I still prefer using a flash head behind a large difuser, but this is a cumbersome solution that often requires an assistant. I will keep the Lumiquest Softbox in my bag anyhow.

First off, I knew it was cheap when ordering it. I had no idea it would be like an oragami project atop my speedlight. You have to fold it and hold the sides together- you need about three more hands to do this. Secondly, there are no instructions. There is an included sheet of paper advertising the company's other products, and at the top it says you can secure it with velcro, or with the "secure strap for adhesive-free mounting". The strap isn't long enough, and the paper tells you to "stretch it fully before attaching" (that's the closest thing you'll see to any instructions in this thing). Said strap doesn't stretch.This company was mentioned in a post by NILMDTS, a volunteer organization of professional photographers who provide portraiture for infant loss. The last thing I want is to get to a shoot of someone's deceased infant and have this cheap-o product decide to unfold on me. No thanks.Needless to say I printed a return label about 4 minutes after opening it. I'm a bit surprised that others have been too nice in their reviews to be honest. I'm not trying to be rude, but I guess if I have $4,000 in camera equipment I should shell out for a better quality product. Live and learn I guess. Hopefull this will help someone else who is debating on this product- SKIP IT!

The diffusion is ok, I'm considering getting a diffusing cap for the flash to use along with this. I really can't complain as the unit is small and that equates to harder light. I've read the cap makes a nice difference.As for ease of use, construction and storage, no problems. It goes on the flash very well using the supplied Velco tape (four sides of the flash). It stays in position well and does not droop. The material, vinyl, is sturdy and I expect will last for a long time. Removed, the unit lays completely flat so fits in a camera bag pocket nicely.

It's a pretty nice little attachment to soften the quality of the light. Folds flat and compact. Haven't tried it on my SB-900 but I suspect it will not fit around the head of that flash like it does around 800s and 600s, leaking a bit of light.Surprisingly despite it's large size it's not all that awkward to even use this on-camera. Looks funky, but it works well, feels sturdy.

Excellent addition to any strobe flash setup. Nice, soft wrap around light that can give you the same results as a much bigger, expensive, and bulkier equipment (OK, so you can't set it 40 feet away on a 30' foot stand and one of the problems is the TTL issue. So learn to use your flash on manual, it won't break your brain and it will be "good for you" as a photographer). Folds flat stores in my bag, what more could I want. Great for macro, portrait, and table top work.

With portable lighting kits this is a real winner. Easy to pack, easy to install and works great. I'd give it 5 stars except for the crazy price which has little bearing on the quality of materials used. My second Lumiquest light modifyer. I use it with a speed strap on my SB-800s.

Good product. I like it.

È portatile e fa benissimo il suo lavoro.Ammorbidisce decisamente luci e ombre create con il flash. Si monta e smonta in 10 secondi.Meglio usare la strip elastica venduta a parte che montare i feltrini adesivi sul flash.La strip dovrebbero darla già assieme al diffusore, questa è l'unica nota negativa.Un accessorio da tenere sempre nella borsa.

It folds flat and easily fits into a camera bag without using much extra space at all.Has great diffusion of light for such a portable unit. Really nice for quick set-up outdoor portraits. Very quick and easy to use. You have to stick the velcro onto the head of your speedlight, not a big deal, just make sure the flash unit is clean so the velcro strips stick.

Tengo casi todos los mini-difusores de flash (Rogue flash bender,Lastolinte EzyBox, Gary Fong) . Este es el mejor, discutiblemente, pero lo que es seguro que es el que tiene una mejor relación resultado/rapidez de montaje-transporte. Uso para OFF-camera, menos para ON-camera, ya que anula la ayuda al AF del flash. Si vas sobrado de potencia de flash y quieres más calidad de difusión puedes además colocarle el pequeño difusor que traen algunos flashes. En cuanto pueda me pillo el segundo.

Der Preis ist zwar sehr hoch, aber die Qualität ist o. k.Für mich ist die Softbox ein ständiger Begleiter wenn ich die Fototasche mitnehmen. Die Befestigung mit Klettverschluss ist simpel aber sehr effektiv. Das Licht ist wirklich sehr weich aber das Eigengewicht der Softbox zwingt meine Blitzgeräte des Öfteren den Kopf hängen zu lassen.