Westcott Apollo Softbox with Recessed Front - 28 x 28" (71 x 71 cm)

Comments about Westcott Apollo Softbox with Recessed Front - 28 x 28" (71 x 71 cm):

I was using the product in an umbrella mount and with a speedlight. Everyone raves about this softbox, but I found it incredibly awkward to lock into place and maneuver around. I've never tried a similar product, so maybe it had something to do with the way I was doing it. But I didn't like it. Returned.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Softbox with Recessed Front - 28 x 28" (71 x 71 cm):

As a new strobist, this is the perfect softbox to start out with. Not that it doesn't get the job done, but using it makes you want to purchase the larger one! I've used an umbrella is many family shoots but having this give me the look I wanted when doing individual portraits.

My only suggestion would be to purchase the small arm attachment to have a bit more flexibility with overhead lighting, instead of having someone hold the softbox.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Softbox with Recessed Front - 28 x 28" (71 x 71 cm):

Great softbox, sets up quick and easy, nice quality out of my speedlight.

You just need a nice boom to use this with.

I also like that if downt he road I get strobes, it is still compatible.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Softbox with Recessed Front - 28 x 28" (71 x 71 cm):

While this is a nice, lightweight lightmod, it's a little cumbersome to use as your speedlight (or even a studio strobe) has to be INSIDE the box, so getting to it to adjust settings can be a pain. Also, since the lightstand has to come up through the box from the bottom, it's hard to adjust an up-down angle (even though you get some leeway. Still, it breaks down easily and it's very portable, and the resulting quality of light is fantastic. But you just have to be aware of it's limitations.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Softbox with Recessed Front - 28 x 28" (71 x 71 cm):

I use this product for portrait and product photography. The recessed front gives you more control over the direction of the light. It pops right into shape like a umbrella!!

Comments about Westcott Apollo Softbox with Recessed Front - 28 x 28" (71 x 71 cm):

Purchased this as an addition to a strobist kit. It is light and easy to use. When used with a 6' light stand and a decent strobe, it is great. The only annoyance I found was that the center rod will come out of the center ring when the unit is collapsed, so you have to put it back through when you are opening it up again.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Softbox with Recessed Front - 28 x 28" (71 x 71 cm):

I bought this to replace having to use the very large 39" Elinchrom Deep Dish Octa. I also wanted something that accommodates eggcrates. I was nervous about it not having an inner baffle but I have been able to get very soft falloff without the extra diffusion. It is nice and deep for a softbox, which I feel provides a rich wrap-around quality to the light. I'd like one just like this with a white interior instead of silver. Sometimes the way one has their strobe head tilted inside the box makes zipping it up all the way difficult. The umbrella style is super convenient, though. I have a whole mess of these Westcotts and they all fit into small spaces because they break down so well.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Softbox with Recessed Front - 28 x 28" (71 x 71 cm):

I primarily use my 28" soft box for studio portraits of 1-2 people. I love the ease of use with is particular soft box! It opens very much as a umbrella which makes it 100 x's easier to assemble than the traditional soft boxes! The only item missing with this was a storage bag, which I'm sure I could purchase separate if I'd do a little shopping!!

Comments about Westcott Apollo Softbox with Recessed Front - 28 x 28" (71 x 71 cm):

I use this Softbox with AB800s and Speedlights. I love that it packs fairly small and sets up quickly.

The Good:
The strobe fires into the silver reflective material inside and exits through the front diffusion. There are zippers on the bottom of the softbox that makes room for the light stand to fit through the middle of it. No speed rings, means this thing is compatible with virtually every light in your kit.

The Bad:
The front diffusion cloth feels cheap. However, it works and I haven't had any trouble with it. I also feel the grids could cost less.

Your strobe is inside of the softbox during use, so you must remove the diffusion material to adjust the power of the strobe if you are using lights that you cannot control from your camera position or from pack and head setups.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Softbox with Recessed Front - 28 x 28" (71 x 71 cm):

I love how it bounces the light and provides excellent lighting for my clients! I only got to play with the Apollo for about an week but so far its great and can't wait to do some more shooting with it. So far nothing bad about it.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Softbox with Recessed Front - 28 x 28" (71 x 71 cm):

I fire an Alien Bee B800 through this box on location. I downgraded in size from the Mega JS 50" so that I could soften my flash on location. The 50" box is far too big to pack for a shoot.

I like the box and will buy another in matching size with grids for both.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Softbox with Recessed Front - 28 x 28" (71 x 71 cm):

I have the bigger Wescott soft box as well, which is wonderful, BUT HUGE. This is much more manageable on most situations for portraits, etc. and the poor subject doesn't feel overwhelmed by this soft box next to them. Wish they came with a storage bag.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Softbox with Recessed Front - 28 x 28" (71 x 71 cm):

The good news is that the light quality is fairly good.

For me, this is way overshadowed by the poor, cheap build quality (very flimsy, bends easily, seems like all Westcott products share this trait); lack of adjustability (can't rotate it all without a boom); and price (to put in perspective, an Elinchrom 27" sofbox is $60 more including a speedring, and has none of the issues of the Apollo. Add a boom to the price of the Apollo and it is a wash).

Using this product for a few weeks is actually what prompted me to move away from speedlights and into battery & pack systems like the Elinchrom Quadra. The light quality and ease of use is far superior, and I feel like I am investing in something that will last for years to come instead of disposable softboxes like the Apollo.

For me the Apollo is the worst money I have spend on photo gear this year.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Softbox with Recessed Front - 28 x 28" (71 x 71 cm):

This is one of the best examples of a portable product for speedlights. My only complaint is that it isn't that sturdy. It is based on an umbrella and bends in the wind or if it gets knocked over. It combines the breakability of an umbrella with the price of a softbox. Not really the ideal combination. It does serve its purpose well as long as you are careful with it.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Softbox with Recessed Front - 28 x 28" (71 x 71 cm):

I am using this in the style of Monte Zucker for portraits and tight group shots.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Softbox with Recessed Front - 28 x 28" (71 x 71 cm):

I use it with my Quantum T5dr and it's great! Easy to set up as well!

Comments about Westcott Apollo Softbox with Recessed Front - 28 x 28" (71 x 71 cm):

I purchased thisa unti for our photo club to use on our White Lighting 5000. This softbox uses the umbrella shaft for mounting, and that is theonly thing we can use on our lights. The box is well built, and just the right size for a small studio.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Softbox with Recessed Front - 28 x 28" (71 x 71 cm):

I've seen this product used by other photogs, i.e. Rick Sammon and loved how manageable and ease of use that was demonstrated. I needed a softbox and right there and then knew this was the one. The recessed front allows you to feather the light unlike other softboxes. I used the softbox with a Vivitar 285 mounted on an umbrella mount with a hotshoe, using elinchome receivers to trigger the flash. Worked perfectly. It was easy to mount and insert the umbrella like softbox. The lighting that the softbox produced was amazing. I was also able to adjust the manual knob easily via the fron of the softbox. The only donwside that was brought up to me when I was doing my research on the box was the flexibility of the (umbrella) wires. These can bend if not handle with care. I loved it and would recommend it anytime. I am definitely getting another one in the near future. Thanks.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Softbox with Recessed Front - 28 x 28" (71 x 71 cm):

Nice soft light. The fact that it's recessed allows feathering the light, giving you great control.

Comments about Westcott Apollo Softbox with Recessed Front - 28 x 28" (71 x 71 cm):

Very akward to work with- the umbrella extension is not long enough