CowboyStudio Photo / Video 16 inch Speedlight Flash Softbox with L-Bracket, Shoe Mount and Carry Case

by CowboyStudio

• One (1) 16" x 16" speedlite softbox
• One (1) universal metal ring
• One (1) L-shaped support bracket
• One (1) white diffuser
• One (1) carrying case

Product Details

• Item Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 20 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001U3F1YG
• Item model number: 16" speedlite
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (129 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #79 in Camera & Photo > Camera & Photo Accessories > Lighting > Lighting Controls & Modifiers > Soft Boxes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 26, 2009

Product Description

Size: 16 inch

A softbox is a necessary item in a professional portrait studio. The softbox diffuses the strobe flash, giving you perfect even lighting.

Our speedlite softbox is high quality, durable, easy to setup, and simple to use.

Size of the softbox is 16" x 16"; Easy to assemble; Case is black and easy to pack.

NOTE: Flash and stand are not included.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 54 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good tool for the strobist August 13, 2010

By R. Whiten

Size Name:24 inch|Amazon Verified Purchase

It's a softbox, not super complicated. If you're in the market for a softbox, you already know the deal; more control and efficiency than an umbrella, in exchange for higher cost and a slightly more complicated setup. You can compare this with similar units made by Lastolite, Alzo, Adorama, and numerous eBay sellers.

At 24" square, it's a useful size,and significantly larger than a lot of the 16 and 20 inchers you see out there. Works well for single person head and shoulders portraits, or a soft hair light. Or my personal favorite, pull it back a bit and use it as a full body edge/rim light.

Pros:
- Cost. This is one of the cheaper 24" hotshoe softboxes out there.
- Weight/Packed size. Softbox itself folds like a reflector, and it's very small indeed when you're done (especially with compared to a 24" monolight softbox). The bracket , the ring, and the ballhead stand mount, add some bulk, but not considerably so. I usually carry it in my lighting bag, but I can throw it in the top compartment of my Lowepro Fastpack with a flash and a compact lightstand in the side pouch, and have a capable, compact, lightweight kit.
- Softbox quality - So far, the softbox itself seems to be made from sturdy, quality materials.
- Quality as a light modifier - Works pretty well. Makes your hotshoe flash capable of making fairly soft, even light (see caveat below) on location. I was worried about spill from the back, but it seems well controlled.

Cons:
- As mentioned, the ballhead stand mount is flimsy. It's easily replaced with something better, but that adds to the cost.
- The bracket is well sized to hold a flash, but not so much a flash on top of a radio trigger.... The 1/4-20 screw is a bit long for the screw socket on CTR 301 triggers (I'd assume their screw insert is standard depth) and there's a stud on the bracket that blocks the trigger's forward travel, and thus perhaps your ability to get the flashhead into the opening. Don't get me wrong, it works, but is a bit fiddly. And of course that varies by the strobe and triggers used.
- Accessory quality - As with ballhead the above, this is obviously where some money was saved. While having a pouch for the softbox and a case for the whole kit is nice, that stuff is made out of very thin nylon with flimsy zippers. With any level of use/abuse i'm sure it will disintegrate. But as they say, TANSTAAFL.
- Single diffusion panel. It's fine under most circumstances, and with a hot shoe flash power is at a premium, so you'd probably only use a single panel most of the time anyway. But you will get some hotspots.
- No instructions. This is the biggest weakness. If you don't already have an idea about how these things typically work, you'll fumble a bit. And refolding is quite tricky (at least for me) at first. A simple 1 page instruction sheet would be a huge improvement

Even with these caveats I still think this is a good deal, provided you know what you're getting. I intend to buy another. Read more ›

43 of 45 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Great Idea, poor durability, Bad Service November 12, 2010

By JHen

Size Name:24 inch

We purchased two of these for our studio this summer. Initially, we enjoyed the product, it seemed sturdy and easy to use. Within a week, the wire frame disconnected on one and prevented closing the softbox for storage. Then the metal frame could not be tightened and kept me from securely mounting to a light stand. I contacted CowboyStudio and they were very helpful in telling me to exchange, however, they would not send the new one until they received the old one. As I had several gigs, I had to wait, but once I did they sent me the wrong unit (the smaller 16") and the mounting bracket was obviously used and attached poorly. Again, we contacted cowboystudio and arranged to send back the unit. I placed everything in the package, the softbox, trigger, and bracket and sent it back. That was 2 months ago, I have not heard from them and they will not return calls nor emails from my partner or myself.

At this point we just want our money back, but are unable to get any response. Would definitely not deal with cowboy again. You get what you pay for is an understatement.

Side note: My partner's soft box began tearing at the back where the ring mounts after a month or so of use.

If you need a short term, cheaper unit, go ahead; Otherwise, stay away.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than I expected!! March 26, 2010

By David G. Dance

Size Name:24 inch|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is much nicer than I expected. I went to my local photography store and they wanted $139 for a product just like this. I was very happy with the quality of this product and the price.
The inside is lined with a silver reflection material and the front white transulcent material is just velcroed on and off you if you want a stronger light you can just take it off.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars You can't beat the price! July 7, 2009

By Aaron M. Hopkins

Size Name:16 inch|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been looking all around for a softbox with the hardware to mount my SB-600 on. I looked all over B&H as well as Amazon and really couldn't find anything that wasn't too over priced, poorly built, or size I wanted. Usually I tend to follow the good reviews but in this case, for what I was looking for, I couldn't find much. I finally ran into this softbox by CowboyStudio and I decided to give it a go seeing how it was a good price, good size, and looked to be of good quality from what I could see.

I just received it after only 4-5 business days. Everything all ready comes in it's carrying bag when you get it with no instructions or even a box really. I'm sure this is a small company who makes this and tries to cut costs. The softbox itself just feels thick and strong, I don't feel like I could really hurt it if I tried to. It folds and collapses from the spring-rods inside of it (which is easy to setup and break down). The hardware for the flash mount is mostly metal and feels sturdy and the white diffuser itself you velcro onto the softbox. I'm not a big fan of having to velcro these on but a lot of companies make them this way even some of the more expensive higher quality will to. Usually they will have a black liner around the white diffuser sheet where the velcro will be but this just has some white velcro on the very edges of the sheet. The box and the diffuser come in their own seperate little bag to prevent damage to them from the hardware that it rests with in another bigger bag. So, there is a bag for the diffuser/box and a bag for the hardware and the diffuser/box bag. But, all in all everything fits good and works pretty well. I would give it about 4 1/2 stars because you can't beat the quality for what you get really. It's worth the 50 bucks.