Fotodiox Lantern Softbox 20in (50cm) Globe - Collapsible Globe Softbox with Broncolor Speedring for Bronocolor (Pulso, Primo, and Unilite), Flashman, and Compatible

I've use the globe softboxes in a number of specialty situation. Unlike most softboxes where you control the direction of the light, these are meant to effectively send the light over a very wide area (thus the shape). Frequently used for lighting above a table, where you might have people all around it. Or you need even lighting for a house interior shot (using multiple globes that are spread around.Softbox setup, breakdown and transportation is quite easy. They come in different sizes from 20" to 32", but in my experience the middle sized ones (around 25" to 27" are the easiest globe style softboxes to work with. Quite useful for a specific purpose (blast light all around).

We have been using the lantern for about a year now, and the fabric has yellowed, and the points where it contacts the fabric have dark marks. It has almost become unusable. When you unfold it, the fabric lines never lineup, and you have to adjust each bracket separately. It fits the Aputure 300d socket, but it's loose and does not feel attached.

There aren't too many people who use these lantern-type softboxes for photography and when you think about it, it's not really surprising why. In the vast majority of instances where you're using artificial lighting, you want to exert as much control over the direction and placement of the light as you can. That is pretty much what this softbox DOESN'T do.A bit like an shoot-through umbrella on crack, this thing will spray your light EVERYWHERE. This can make it problematic for many applications, but if you focus on that, you'd be missing the point. The whole point of this modifier is precisely that it sprays the light EVERYWHERE and does it very evenly. This quality makes it excellent to use for tasks such as illuminating rooms, evenly lighting a group of people seated in a circle or semi-circle, acting as a fill light, etc. This lantern softbox basically turns your light into a gigantic lightbulb.Set up and breakdown is incredibly quick and easy. I can have this thing out of its bag and onto my light in less than 30-seconds. It works very much like an umbrella where you just open up the modifier and there is a mechanism to hook onto that will keep it open. To close it, just unhook it and it closes on its own like an umbrella. The build quality feels good and it seems to indicate that it will last a long time. The diffusion is very good, but it would be even better if there was an extra inner-diffusion layer. In my case, I use Elinchrom lights so I use the white deflector inside of the softbox to provide this extra bit, but I do wish that it was built into the softbox directly. That's about the only point I think that this product can improve upon.There are some similar products that are made of diffuse hard plastic and will REALLY make you monolight look like a light bulb, but I think this is a better design because it is far lighter and takes up less space when not being used. This makes it less of a strain on your lightstand, easier to store, and easier to carry around if you need.Given that Fotodiox is generally considered a budget brand, I wasn't expecting much from this (my first Fotodiox modifier) so I was pleasantly surprised by its quality. I do think that there are some slight improvements that could be made, but it's an excellent product regardless and a great value for the money.

The actual structure seems very well made and is easy to break down after use. You can be ready to shoot in a minute once you get familiar with the setup, and the light it casts is beautiful. Controlled, but also does a good job of filling a room, which is exactly what I wanted. Giving 4 stars because the first time I opened the globe, a seam ripped near the velcro closure. The hole wasn't large enough to let light leak and doesn't look like will continue to rip, but it is something to be mindful of. This product is hundreds less than the profoto version, and having shot both, construction is nearly identical. But, as mentioned, the actual lantern cover seems to be the weak point here so just be easy when putting up and breaking down. I'm happy and will continue to use mine as-is as it's not effecting shooting at this time.

I wish I could use it to say it looks nice but the actual Bowens speedring that it came with is Chinese specifications or something - it will not go in any of my lights. I compared its machining to other Bowens speedrings I have and let's just say, sometimes it's not the thought that counts. It's vaguely a bowens mount. It LOOKS like one, but it's just a bad copy to get it out of the factory. Clearly no quality control, and I have a gig tomorrow that I need the diffuser on. Thanks manufacturer.