Westcott Apollo Speedlight Set

Comments about Westcott Apollo Speedlight Set:

I am a professional photographer who does a lot of on location shoots. I like to travel light yet have all the tools I need to get that shot. I carry several speedlights, umbrellas, lightstands, softboxes and now the Apollo 28" softbox. I am amazed with the portability, fast set up time and the amazing soft light it gives. This product in conjunction with the new grid is awesome tool to have and sets up in seconds. The Apollo features like the extra large fins (edges) allow you to feather the light and keep the light from spilling where you don't want it. I will be buying the larger 50" next so I can put 3 speedlights inside for some amazing Sunset portraiture.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Speedlight Set:

I have always used an Apollo speedlight for my portrait sessions since it adds some great light quality where ever I chose to shoot! I quickly bought a new one when it got stepped on during a posing class! I love the new design without the metal in the umbrella so if it does fall over or get stepped on... I may be able to still save it ;) The umbrella gives off beautiful soft light and works amazing with my speedlight!

Comments about Westcott Apollo Speedlight Set:

I wanted a soft box, which was portable for outside shots. This is a perfect addition to your speedlite for adding fill-light to those outside portraits. I have a Canon 600ex-rt and I was pleased with the combined results.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Speedlight Set:

As a professional interiors photographer I use multiple off-camera flash (speedlights) on a daily basis - I usually bounce my lights off walls or reflectors and I sometimes use basic modifiers like shoot through umbrellas. Recently I was asked to shoot a large corporate headshot session for a major university. With that said, I wanted to purchase some softboxes to use with my flashes. I wanted something that was easy to transport, easy to setup and something that provided nice soft light. After much research I decided on the Apollo softboxes and strips. After shooting 50+ headshots using a 4 light setup I can say that they delivered the results I was after! The only concern I have is when the boxes are tilted the flash gets very close to the back which makes the light a little harder - to overcome this I simply put a Stofen diffuser on each flash and the light was big and soft. Sure it costs me a stop of light but it's worth it! Bottom line; if you need a softbox that's easy on your wallet and big on results pick up some Apollo's!!

Comments about Westcott Apollo Speedlight Set:

Great for studeo and on sight lighting

Comments about Westcott Apollo Speedlight Set:

I use this set up 9 times out of 10 just because it makes me moble!!

Comments about Westcott Apollo Speedlight Set:

Unfortunately the product I received the first time around was broken (the shaft in the center was broken clean in two - no fault of B&H and they replaced it without question) but I was able to test it out and compared to the basic Westcott satin white 32" umbrellas, this produces wonderful, even, soft light portraits with a speedlight. It folds up just like an umbrella after the diffuser panel is removed (velcro) and is suits my needs for a highly portable softbox in the field.

I do highly recommend a sand bag to hold your stands down when outdoors.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Speedlight Set:

Light, portable, easy to setup, an inexpensive (relatively). I'd like to see a version with composite ribs, but I have never had any problems with the metal ones. Great for strobist work!

Comments about Westcott Apollo Speedlight Set:

Though I am happy with this softbox. I find it tedious to remove the front baffle (every single time) to adjust settings when I shoot on manual mode with my flash.
Also, the way it's designed, it's not easy to tilt the softbox.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Speedlight Set:

I wish this came with little sleeve but its still a great item.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Speedlight Set:

Soft Box quality for speed lights

Easy set up

Great for Portraiture

Fantastic innovative set up design

Comments about Westcott Apollo Speedlight Set:

The Apollo Speedlight Set has extended the use of my Canon Speedlites in photojournalistic and editorial settings, in addition to client shoots and wedding shoots — enhancing the quality of my work. I am glad Westcott added the hotshot adapter for light stands. The system is highly deployable and transports with ease, making a one man job more feasible. I only wish that Westcott had included a travel case as carrying the Apollo can be awkward if its not deployed.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Speedlight Set:

I occasionally shoot portraits on location but I live in an area that is usually windy. So umbrellas are impossible to use. I'd tried another brands 24x24 softbox but using a Flextt5 on it was impossible so I sold it.

Then I saw a video of someone using the Apollo 28" and it looked interesting so I did some research.

So far I like it alot. I have not used it enough to determine how durable it is but I will only use it a couple of times a year.

The quality of output is excellent using my 580EXII with it. The 580 and the Flextt5 fit easily inside. The whole thing can be set up in a minute.

Very cool. Thanks Westcott for this product and to B&H for the great pricing and service.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Speedlight Set:

Cheaper than the Lastolight EX Box and capable of handling a tri flash bracket. Doesn't setup as quickly as the EZ Box, but it is also able to be used by a studio strobe.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Speedlight Set:

I use this for a lot of mobile shots with teens. one trick take small zip ties and place them about 4 inches apart on the support arm and assembly this makes the product much more resilient and has been extremely reliable.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Speedlight Set:

works great easy set up and transport. Works with my Canon wireless transmitter. Going to buy a second one.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Speedlight Set:

This is a very nice softbox and it is very portable as well.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Speedlight Set:

OLMOST EVERTING ITS PERFECT ON THIS PRODUCT, THE ONLY THING THAT I'LL CHANGE ITS THE BOX STICK I'LL REPLACE WITH A SOLID STICK 'COUSE THE ONE THE CAME WHIT IT ITS ALL READY BEND..... OHHH AND I'LL MEKE IT A LITTE BE LONGER COUPLE INCHES..

Comments about Westcott Apollo Speedlight Set:

I use it for environmental portraits and such. It's not too big, not too unwieldy. It makes a lovely light and I like that its recessed front keeps light from spilling everyplace and from giving me lens flare.

The umbrella swivel is really great and solid and high quality. Cool that they include that.

My only concern is that it's not like the toughest thing ever. I'm worried about it getting bent up or ripped. The zipper on the bottom doesn't have a zipper stop so I have to put the zipper pull back on all the time. I'm gonna sew a stop on it.

I shoot manual flash, but if I understood TTL better, or if I could control my flash from my camera, using it would be easier because it's hard to change flash power once it's in there. I just remember where the power button is and feel for it and count the times I push it.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Speedlight Set:

As presented in Speedliter's Handbook pp 199. Don't try it with Westcott's Quad as a substitute for the EZY box. little or no access to 4 speed lite settings in this quad mode.