A couple of years ago, a company tried to create the SunDisc in order to change the way that we lit our photos. The SunDisc is a collapsible and portable softbox and reflector in one. It’s very versatile and lets you shoot with a gold or silver interior. We reported on it back in 2015, but it failed. Why? Maybe they were asking for too much money; but at least to me it seems like a really nice and no-brainer solution for many different types of photographers who use flash.
Just think about it: how many times have you been caught on the subway running up stairs with a backpack, stands, backdrops, a lighting kit, umbrellas, softboxes, etc. It’s a pain, right? But if you at least are able to consolidate the softboxes into another bag like your camera bag or the one for the stands and backdrops, your life can be made much easier. For all the portrait photographers out there who live in large cities and don’t have a car, I’m positive that you feel my pain here.
But even if you’re just an on-location shooter, this can be a nice addition to your kit. It has a gold interior that can be flipped over to be made into silver for a different type of specularity.
The Kickstarter video seems to really be approaching the mirrorless camera shooters amongst us. Reflectors generally speaking are pretty nice; but softboxes can be better. The way this one works is sort of like a massive ExpoImaging Rogue FlashBender except that it’s also got the front diffusion panel and the flash is totally inside of the box for the most part. Because the light is pointing upward, I’m very curious about hot spots or if it’s best to set your flash head to the widest setting and then simply just shoot.
Check out the Kickstarter for the SunDisc and try to make it happen this time around.