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Westcott 43" Apollo Orb with Grid

BH #WEAO • MFR #2336
 273 reviews
Westcott 43" Apollo Orb with Grid
Key Features
  • Includes 40° Grid
  • Removable Front Diffusion Panel
  • Built on an Umbrella Frame
  • Quick Set-Up and Tear-Down
Wescott's 43" Apollo Orb is the first octagonal softbox that works without an adapter ring. The compact softbox simply opens like an umbrella. Place your flash inside, attach the included diffusion panel and you're ready to shoot. The Orb has a deeper profile to evenly project the light source for maximum output while creating round, natural catchlights in your subject's eyes. For even more directional control and to prevent lens flare, you can move the diffuser closer to the light than its standard position or use the included 40° fabric grid.
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$99.90
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Westcott Apollo Orb Overview

Wescott's 43" Apollo Orb is the first octagonal softbox that works without an adapter ring. The compact softbox simply opens like an umbrella. Place your flash inside, attach the included diffusion panel and you're ready to shoot. The Orb has a deeper profile to evenly project the light source for maximum output while creating round, natural catchlights in your subject's eyes. For even more directional control and to prevent lens flare, you can move the diffuser closer to the light than its standard position or use the included 40° fabric grid.

UPC: 817967023368

Westcott Apollo Orb Specs

Key Specs
Item Type
43" Softbox (8-Sided Octagon Shape)
Interior Color
Silver
Light Compatibility
Umbrella Shaft
Accepts Grids
Yes (Included)
Interior Color
Silver
Light Compatibility
Umbrella Shaft
Quick Open Type
Umbrella Style
Accepts Grids
Yes (Included)
Maximum Wattage
300 W (Cool Lights)
500 W (Hot Lights)
Removable Front Face
Yes
Dimensions
ø: 43.5 x H: 25" / ø: 1.1 x H: 0.6 m
Packaging Info
Package Weight
2.55 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
39 x 3.2 x 3.2"

Westcott Apollo Orb Reviews

Easy Set Up

By Maggie
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2022-07-07

Pleased with the quality of the kit. Set up and take down is easy. Please with the quality of light also.

Great, even and large light source

By Alyssa
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-10-01

It's not super sturdy, but for the money, this is a great buy for a lightweight and compact light modifier

durability

By Charles
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2020-09-23

nice light. i worry about durability.

Soft & directional

By Bruce
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-08-12

Only used it once so far. Photographed a couple at sunset. Used the Orb with grid to balance flash with ambient light. Soft light with good control. Used with (1) Canon 430 EX III-RT speedlight on light stand. A potential improvement would be if the Orb was deeper. This would allow the softbox to be tiled down more in the vertical direction without having to push the speedlight very close to the back. I work around this by mounting the umbrella bracket to the front of the light stand rather than the top. Glad I bought it.

Nice

By Bruce
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-08-05

I have other Westcott products so had an idea of what to expect. Use it with Canon 430 EXIII-RT speedlight. Light is soft. Grid controls spill light well. I like to located the speedlight near the front of the diffuser panel, aimed towards the back. This position limits how much you can tilt the Orb in the vertical plane. So there is a trade-off between widely distributing the light inside the softbox and being able to tilt the soft box.Positioning the umbrella bracket in the manner shown improves the situation.

Difficult to angle

By Anonymous
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2020-06-20

The small slit in the side significantly limits the tilt you can do using the umbrella head. To really angle it freely I needed to buy a boom arm, and even then it's awkward. The diffusion is also not very even. When I photograph the front of the orb I can see a hotspot in the centre. But it was relatively cheap and worked with my existing light stand, and came with a grid. So I can't complain too much. If I was to purchase again I'd go for a traditional Bowen's mount octa.

Now I'm Happy

By Frank
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-23

Immediately after purchasing this Apollo Orb, I put it to use in my small studio. But I had trouble fitting my large studio strobes inside the umbrella. I was unhappy. But now I get it. The Orb is for small strobes like battery-pack light heads, speedlights or any light source that is small and easy to place inside the umbrella. Now I'm using the Elinchrom ELB500 kit with it's tiny strobe heads. All is good. In fact, all is great! The light head faces the back of the umbrella, so no hot spots. All flash controls are on the TTL-battery pack outside of the umbrella, easy to adjust. Now I can velcro the included diffusion panel in place and leave it alone. No more tearing it open to adjust the flash. I'm happy!

Wring item, didn't notice in time

By Peter
Rated 1 out of 5
Date: 2022-03-19

I ordered Octa 43 with grid, they sent me strip 16x30 with grid for the 43 octa. I left the boxes in my studio and I when i needed the softbox, opened the and had bad surprise. Now the grid is unusable and almost the same for the strip box - i needed octa. Too late for return.

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YOUR RECENTLY VIEWED ITEMS

question

Can you use 500w hot lights with the Orb or only strobe lighting?
Asked by: Darrell
Westcott indicates the Westcott 43 Apollo Orb has a maximum wattage rating of 300W.
Answered by: Manzell L.
Date published: 2023-01-28

question

I was wondering what the dimensions of the Orb are when it's folded for transport. Thank you.
Asked by: Anonymous
While Westcott does not indicate the 43 Apollo Orb's closed length, the measurements of the shipping box the Orb is shipped within from Westcott measures 39.0 x 3.2 x 3.2 . As the Orb is inside the shipping box (and is collapsed for shipment), I would state it would be physically slightly smaller than the box measurements, and can be used as an approximation for the unit's collapsed size.
Answered by: Manzell L.
Date published: 2018-08-28

question

I know you can use a speedlight with the Westcott 43. To use it with the speedlight, you need an adapter of t some type? I you don't need a ring.
Asked by: Michael P.
You could also use a Boom Arm with the ORB to give more flexibility in the positioning of the ORB since the hole on the bottom of the ORB limits movement to a degree.
Answered by: Ronald J.
Date published: 2018-08-28

What is needed to mount TWO flash units (Canon ...

What is needed to mount TWO flash units (Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT) inside of this softbox?
Asked by: MATT
You can mount multiple flash in the Apollo Orb using one of these BH #MABTFJM.
Answered by: Reuben
Date published: 2022-12-09

How would you light a subject from above since ...

How would you light a subject from above since the slot is on the side?
Asked by: Mary
In order to light a subject from the side a end-user would need a c-stand. Please review the following item. Impact Turtle Base C-Stand Kit (10.75', Chrome) BH #IMLSCT40MK • MFR #LS-CT40MK https://bhpho.to/3X374MJ
Answered by: hectorm
Date published: 2023-02-06

Are you able to adjust the angle of the Octabox?

Are you able to adjust the angle of the Octabox?
Asked by: Wyatt
There is an opening on the bottom of the Orb softbox that allows you to tilt. If you want an extreme tilt of the modifier, we recommend using a mini-boom arm.
Answered by: FJ Westcott
Date published: 2019-09-23

Hello, is one speedlight (relative to the size of ...

Hello, is one speedlight (relative to the size of he softbox) enough to do a half-body to full-body shot? Also another question, 1 speedlight is it enough for a group photo of 3-5 people? Thanks in advance
Asked by: mcmc
Thanks for your questions. Both answers rely on the amount of ambient lighting. Most modern speedlights produce about 75 watt seconds of power output. To create a half body shot, your 43" Apollo Orb should be 3-4 feet away from your subject, which a speedlight should supply enough power for this situation (may not work in full sun). For a full body shot, your 43" Apollo Orb should be 6-7 feet away from your subject (may require cloudy environment or indoor setting). For a group of 3-5 people your 43" Apollo Orb should be 8-10 feet away from your subjects and a speedlight will not do a great job unless you're in a cloudy environment or indoor setting. The great feature about the 43" Apollo Orb is that it's built on an umbrella mount so it can be used on speedlights, and also more powerful strobes for those times that you need more light output.
Answered by: FJ Westcott
Date published: 2023-01-28

question

I have a Nikon SB-910.... would I be use this just using a remote flash on a commando mode with my built in flash?
Asked by: Anonymous
You may have problems getting the infra red signal to fire the flash if it is inside the softbox. I use this set-up with a Pocket Wizard. I recommend getting a radio trigger like I am using.
Answered by: Mark M.
Date published: 2018-08-28
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