Bowens launches new-look, rapid assembly Octoboxes

08/10/10

‘We’ve made the entire softbox process fast and painless with these new models’ - Robert Cook, Bowens marketing director

Bowens has completely redesigned its award-winning Octo150 softbox and added a smaller, highly portable sibling - the Octo90.

The new-look Octo150 now features a ‘zip and lock’ design for super fast, easy assembly.

Explained Robert Cook, Bowens marketing director: “Portrait and commercial photographers across the world love the Octo150 – the only criticism ever made of this unique unit was centred on assembly challenges. Now photographers can simply lay the canopy flat on the floor, insert the rods and zip the sides up to form the Octobox shape – which is then locked in place by Velcro fastening tabs. We’ve made the entire assembly process fast and painless.”

Unique to Bowens, the Octo features a perfectly round front diffuser to create ‘pleasing and natural’ round catch lights in the subjects’ eyes in portraiture.

Additionally the light is mounted inside the Octobox facing the rear, away from the subject.

Added Cook: “This feature offers real advantages over traditional softboxes. The rear-facing light creates an enormous reflected soft light and eliminates hotspots. And due to the fact that there are no extra layers of diffusion fabric between the light source and the front diffuser, it is a very efficient piece of equipment which can be used in conjunction with a relatively small flash - such as a Bowens Gemini 500.
This new zip-up model (Order code BW1650) now makes practical sense for location photography too.”

The new Octo90 version has all the features of its bigger counterpart – but in even more portable format.
This model (Order code BW1640) ships with two inner tone reflectors (one gold, the other silver and gold) which can be used to warm up the light and help create more natural and healthy skin tones.

UK lighting expert Steve Aves said: “I’ve tested these new products and frankly I can’t see anything else on the softbox market to beat them.
Nobody really likes putting up a softbox - or taking it down.

But the Bowens’ boffins have obviously had their thinking caps on because these two new Octos are a real breath of fresh air. Sound design, quality materials and some neat extra touches.”

The revamped Octobox range is available now. The Octo90 retails at £415.99 (ex VAT) and its larger sibling, The Octo150 at £535.99.

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