Westcott Medium Apollo 28 Inch Softbox with Recessed Front Review

Westcott Medium Apollo 28" Soft Box with Recessed Front Westcott Apollo 28" Light Modifier with Recessed Front Excellent Quality and ValuePros: Lightweight, Easy To Use, Reliable Best Uses: Traveling, Everyday use, Studio, Portraits Describe Yourself: Professional Was this a gift?: No

I incorporate the Westcott Medium Apollo soft box into my portrait, wedding and general photography. The umbrella mount and the Velcro front panel make it easy to set up or collapse in about two minutes or less from scratch including stand and light. Even when set up, it's fairly easy to move around on a light stand, just big enough for one or two subjects, but not too bulky. The box gives you plenty of tilt for most applications. The recessed front means less stray light. The light is studio quality.

I saw top pros using this and after researching different brands I decided this was the optimal size and feature package for my budget, and the umbrella/flash mount it came with is actually sturdy and reliable. There's only one very minor annoyance: When collapsed the umbrella tube always falls out of the runner -- the part that you push to stretch the umbrella. You have to guide it back in each time you set it up, which takes only seconds. But given how close the end is to the front panel when opened up, it may not have been possible to make it any longer, and other soft boxes may have the same design. I would buy this again. (legalese)