18Nov 105w CFL Octagon SoftBox with LightStand
Sometimes a single light is all that’s needed. Here’s an inexpensive Octagon softbox with a 105w CFL bulb (equivalent to approx. 525w incandescent). The kit also comes with an 86″ air cushioned light stand, and available for Prime shipping, making the deal even sweeter. This is a nice little setup because CFL bulbs transmit most of their light from the sides and not the front of the bulb. A softbox used with CFL bulbs will trap and redirect more light than those shoot through umbrella type kits like these (here).
The stock bulb is spec’d at 6500K which is fairly cool, but there are plenty of 105w 5500k CFL Light Bulbs available online. If this is your only source of light, a simple white balance should warm things up. Right now there’s a price drop on this single CFL light Stand Softbox kit, and less than 5 available following the link (click here).
Octagonal Softbox 105w CFL Light Stand Kit
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November 18th, 2011 at 5:30 pm
Sold out.. you happen to remember the price they were selling for?
Thanks
November 18th, 2011 at 5:32 pm
@Alam – $36-$39 bucks I think. Not as cheap, but for a single CFL light here’s another option:: 1000 watt softbox lighting kit softbox light kit video lighting kit with carrying case (click here)
November 18th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
Hey Emm
You ever get weird color issues over the life of a CFL? Or you ever run into a shutter speed problem (because the ballast is integrated into the CFL and it’s not changeable to a high speed ballast)?
November 18th, 2011 at 6:04 pm
@D – We’ve been using a set of cheap CFL’s for a long time, several hours everyday. No issues. You can see just two CFLs up front in this video http://vimeo.com/28390219. The lights in use are these 3000w CFL light Kit.
They suck at assembling and disassembling for travel. Mostly plastic housings. Once you have them set up though, they provide a nice broad and diffused quality of light for the price.
November 18th, 2011 at 8:09 pm
Do you recommend CFLs for event use like a wedding reception?
November 18th, 2011 at 8:21 pm
@itsjohnny2 – Actually I don’t recommend large softboxes for weddings. Most Weddings pay several hundreds to thousands of dollars on lighting a reception (going for a romantic look). I would try my best to work around what they have in place so as not to be distacting. On camera LED lights, maybe a few Z96 or 312 LED lights off to the side might be good. Try to blend in. The focus should be on the bride and groom and not on the camera operators.
November 18th, 2011 at 8:38 pm
wow, those lights were incredibly cheap. 36 bucks gets you a lightstand softbox lightbulb and fixture. How can that be legit
November 18th, 2011 at 11:11 pm
Don’t do it unless you shooting video, continuous is lame for photos.
November 19th, 2011 at 2:33 am
$36-$39 bucks?!?
That can’t include the bulbs…does it?
November 19th, 2011 at 8:30 am
@owen – Yes it did include (1) 105w CFL Bulb. It was a great deal. I thought about getting two for the dressing room in my studio for makeup artists to work in, but I missed out too!
December 13th, 2011 at 8:54 am
Do you know if anymore of these lights exist? They are currently showing up unavailable. Thanks!
December 13th, 2011 at 9:31 am
@Randall – Not with the 105w CFL bulb, but the boxes are pretty generic. You could always add in your own bulb with these http://oliviatech.com/cheap-cfl-octo-softbox
November 14th, 2012 at 3:55 pm
@Emm — I bought two of these lights for a small, portable interview setup and they work nicely. They provide more than enough light when using my Canon t2i. Now I need to add a hair light to the setup and I’m curious what you suggest. I could add one more of these lights and use tin foil to direct the light. But that option doesn’t really appeal to me. Do these CFLs mix with other lights. Perhaps a portable 312 led would be an option. Would the 312 be bright enough for a hair light? What other options for a small, portable, affordable hair light would you suggest? Thanks.