Westcott Rapid Box Switch Octa-S Speedlite Kit with Deflector Plate

Having spent most of my life in lighting in the motion picture business, I can say that this is an excellent product! It is very well made and works perfectly for single portraits or small groups mostly. It is small enough to hand hold, if needed. It is a very well thought out design and works as promised. I have a few heavy duty stands in my garage and wanted something more light weight so ordered the kit. The stand is really perfect for indoor use and it should be used outdoors in calmer conditions. It will probably not hold up that well to strong winds unattended, but it really is a perfect balance with weight and sturdiness. My main comment here is really about the stand, as other reviews perfectly cover the box. this is probably a small issue to most folks, but the stand does not fit the box receiver properly. the stand has a 1/4"-20 threaded screw on top. I had to buy a 5/8" stud to 1/4-20 adapter for $10 from Amazon. Yes, the box bracket will fit the stand, but it is wobbly. The top of the stand is about 1/2" and the receiver is 5/8". You really need this added adaptor for it to fit snugly. for the price, I can certainly deal with it. $20 or whatever for a stand is dirt cheap. it would have cost them about 50 cents to throw in the adapter to make it fit perfectly. buy it and you will see what I mean. Otherwise, a great tool for the price! Buy it!

This is an amazing light modifier. I used it with Canon and Neweer flashes. Small enough to move or hand hold. Big enough to provide excellent soft light. I think the stand is rather light weight and cheesy. If you take it outside you MUST bring heavy weights or tent spikes and cord. Tips too easy once you get over 4-5 feet high.

The advent of the uber-easy-to-use Canon 600 flashes with built-in wireless, this Wescott is the perfect match for beautiful diffused light anywhere you need it. First, it's so lightweight that an assistant can walk around all evening following you and getting the thing in the right spot in a hurry. Second, I set it up in about 90 seconds or less. Once you align the clamp to hold your flash in place, that's it, it stays that way forever (or until you loosen the clamp, lol). The clamp has a good amount of adjustable range up-and-down and in-and-out to pretty much accommodate any hot shoe flash. Third, it includes a carrying case which is great. Last and MOST important is the light: when you add the small beauty dish wish throws the light back onto the "umbrella", and then it passes through the removable diffusion cover, you're getting some nicely diffused modified light. As a fill for an outdoor portrait or even as a main light outside to achieve a darkened background, the size and portability make this a great setup. For outdoor portraits you often need the light source really close if you're not using $3000 ProPhoto packs with 1200 watt light. Because this Wescott is 26" and very portable, your assistant can lean the softbox JUST off frame and get it real close which will get you enough power for all but the brightest of sunny days (and that's a challenge here in Phoenix, lol!). Great unit, definitely buying a second one.

This is my "go to" light. I use a different stand as I use it mostly outdoor for off camera flash. I have the dish diffuser too. You could probably get by without it. However it does basically the same as a beauty dish with it. You could probably get a lid off a small saucepan and make your own, but I like to "look" professional. Without the diffuser pan, I'd definitely use a diffuser on my flash to avoid a hot spot. It should be included vs an option. Didn't care for the light stand that came with the kit. I like a taller, wider base stand. Probably great for indoor use, but a little wind would knock it over. I tend to use the cheetah type stands (10') that open and close automatically so I'm not tripping on the legs as I'm walking and also great at a wedding or event when you push thru a crowd. Build quality is GREAT. a far cry above other brolly softboxes, etc. Very professional quality.I'll probably get another one ( stick with the larger one ) and the strip box is on my list too. I've seen many great shots done with this box and the strip box.

This kit is great, just add a speedlight and you're good to go. I like Westcott Rapid Boxes in general, and this smaller size that doesn't use a speed ring is convenient. The deflector is a must. The stand is lightweight, but makes sense with this Rapid Box, which is only designed for speedlights with hotshoes. As with all light stands, if you use it in a windy environment with a giant modifier on top, you're going to need something to hold it down.My only complaint is with the seller, Roberts LP, and how they shipped the kit. It was sent with some labels slapped on the display box, which did not handle the trip well. The box was crushed and tearing. Inside, the plastic bags around the deflector dish and the light stand looked like they had fallen out onto pavement and the both the stand and dish were lightly scratched. I would have exchanged it but I needed to use it that weekend so instead I'm just warning others about the seller.

Although I was happy with the product, I was disappointed that the carry bag was not long enough to be able to carry the stand as well. It is only about 40 cm long and only carries the modifier. I now need to find a bag long enough to carry the stand so just an extra step when it could have been included. I was under the impression the carry bag would be long enough.