a meaningful flash help, but not a panacea

FUNCTION: This (very cheap) soft box does exactly what it should: It distributes the light of a small flash tube to a multiple of the original surface. In order to be lightning shadows in the foreground softer (see my example photos) and a possible red-eye effect reduced a bit (depending on the flash position relative to the lens). The reverse side of the diffusor is mirrored from the inside with foil, in order to maximize the light output. That with any form of reflection and scattering of course still always a little light is lost, goes without saying. In my configuration but this loss was not flashy.

CONSTRUCTION: The device is light and quite well foldable, but you have to make it clear that in a structure made of foil and wire the stability of course not win any awards. Fastening with Velcro strip is something nudelig, works at my Metz Mecablitz but quite good. Here, however, the controls on the top of the unit are covered. So be it that I need on the fly anyway rarely change.

RESULTS: The results in the photo are a bit nicer than the normal direct flashes, but fall far short bounce flash over a large area back (eg white ceiling). The typical flash flooding of colors in depth in low light condition, the softbox course not prevent, but eg for brightening faces in daylight is good for this diffuser well. Here the size is somewhat cumbersome when handling the camera, but that's the price for softer lighting. All other solutions are even more cumbersome.

CONCLUSION: Legal limited use, but at this price a gimmick, what one (for the rare cases where you can do it) may well keep in the hind quarters.