True to form, Profoto continues to push the art of professional light shaping forward with the release of two new softboxes, including the Profoto Softbox 4’ Octa and Profoto Softbox 3×4’ Rectangular. Like the other softboxes in Profoto’s highly regarded line-up, these new softboxes give photographers the ability to create natural, flattering light with some of the most versatile, stress-free tools on the market. While they’re larger than earlier models, for the benefit of photographers and subjects alike, they’re just as portable and easy to use and store.
That said, let’s meet the new softboxes.
Profoto 4’ Octa Silver
When we announced the release of the Profoto Softbox 3’ Octa back in February (2024), we were excited to see Profoto put their renowned ingenuity to work with an octa softbox that delivers on all fronts. In other words, Profoto softboxes create soft, flattering light and give photographers a number of options for further controlling that light, including grids, edge masks, and diffusion kits.
Now, the new Profoto Softbox 4’ Octa brings all of that into a larger format. With a larger surface for your light source, The 4’ Octa produces even, flattering light that more fully wraps around the subject, and the unique shape creates natural-looking catchlights in the subject’s eyes. Like the 3′ version, you can also pick up the Softgrid 4′ and the Edge Mask 4′ Octa to further modify your light source.
Lastly, setup is as quick and easy as ever thanks to its integrated speedring and fold/unfold design, giving wedding, portrait, and fashion photographers a powerful new tool in their arsenal to use both in the studio or on-location.
Profoto 3×4’ Rectangular Silver
In addition to the new Profoto Softbox 4’ Octa Silver, we’re also getting the Profoto Softbox 3×4’ Rectangle. This incredible softbox also produces soft light that can convincingly replicate window light for product shots and portraits of all types. For added light control, photographers can accessorize these softboxes with an available Profoto Softgrid 3×4′, Profoto Edge Mask 3×4′ Rectangle, and/or diffusion kit, the latter of which comes in one of three levels of softness, including 0.5 f-stop, 1.0 f-stop or 1.5 f-stop.
Similar to the Octa, the Rectangular Silver also features a built-in speedring. It can’t be overstated how much easier Profoto’s integrated speedring and quick folding solution makes setting up the softbox, which is especially crucial when shooting on the go. If you’ve been in the industry for a few years and remember what it used to take to set up and break down other softboxes, then you know it required some level of training and practice to get to where you knew what you were doing. Fortunately, that is no longer the case and setup now only takes a few seconds.
Features and Specs
Here’s a quick look at the features and specs for Profoto’s new softboxes.
Features
- Creates a soft and flattering light at any time.
- Quick set ups and ease of use thanks to the built-in speedring.
- Creative light shaping with the range of accessories.
- Removable inner and outer diffuser.
- Recessed front prevents shadows and hotspots.
- Compatible with all 100mm light Profoto lights.
Specifications for Profoto Softbox 4’ Octa Silver
- Measurement and weight
- Front diameter: 120 cm/48 in.
- Depth: 55 cm/21.5 in.
- Weight: 1.6 kg/3.5 lbs.
Specifications for Profoto Softbox 3×4’ Rectangular Silver
- Measurement and weight
- Front diameter: 90×120 cm/36×48 in.
- Depth: 45 cm/17.5 in.
- Weight: 1,6 kg/3.5 lbs.
Overview
Like Profoto’s other softboxes, all of the softboxes are compatible with any Profoto flash: B-series, D-series, and Pro-flashes. You can also use them with Profoto’s A-series flashes so long as you also use a Clic OCF Adapter II. For the A10, A1X and A1 flash units, you can use the OCF Adapter.
Photographers can use either softbox to create natural-looking, soft light, regardless of the ambient light conditions, and the available accessories offer added control to dial in exactly the lighting look you’re going for, right where you need it.
If you’ve never tried Profoto’s line of softboxes, it’s worth putting on your to-do list. Like their pro-level flashes and strobes, Profoto’s softboxes give photographers powerful light shaping tools that they can use to easily create images in-camera that reflect their artistic vision. That’s why you can find several of the world’s best photographers using Profoto gear.
If you’re interested, you can learn more about Profoto’s new softboxes here.
