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The MagMod MagBox system is a lighting system used with a studio strobe. It’s a revolutionary new softbox system.
The new MagBox products offer bigger softboxes and more options for portrait and wedding photographers or others who love soft light.
Do You Shoot with Strobes?
If you’re familiar with the MagMod system for small flash, now there’s a new system designed for studio strobes.
The MagBox system is brilliantly designed with tools like the MagShoe to hold and adjust your strobe. You get the MagRing – several types that work with small flash (requires the MagGrip) or studio mounts from Bowens, Profoto, Elinchrom, and Paul C. Buff.
1: The MagBox Softboxes
There are three different softboxes available now. The original MagBox PRO 24″ Octa Softbox works well for headshots or individual portraits. It’s speedy and easy to deploy. You push an internal frame to lock it in place and then release it to collapse.
The diffuser mounts quickly with magnets. There’s also a FocusDiffuser, which concentrates light as if you were using a grid. That item only exists for the 24″ model.
The MagMod MagBox PRO 24" Octa Softbox has time-saving features like an integrated slot for MagBox Gels and a built-in storage pocket for the zip-on diffusion panel. The MagBox PRO's zip-on diffuser takes away the frustration photographers usually have with Velcro-type diffusion panels.
You can quickly switch from the Fabric Diffuser to the FocusDiffuser or the Magnetic Grid. Use the softbox's side zipper to insert a polycarbonate MagBox Gel for instant color correction. The MagBox PRO's base features strong neodymium magnets that quickly attach to the MagRing or MagBox Speedring, making it easy to set up or dismantle the system in seconds.
The MagMod MagBox PRO 42" Octa Softbox system is a breeze to set up and takedown. The zip-on diffuser takes the frustration out of using Velcro-type diffusion panels, and the side zipper allows easy insertion of a polycarbonate MagBox Gel for instant color correction. The MagBox PRO's strong neodymium magnets quickly attach to the MagRing or MagBox Speedring.
Integrated slot for MagBox Gels and built-in storage pocket for the zip-on diffusion panel.
With the MagBox PRO 36" Strip, you'll be able to create beautiful, soft light in any photo shoot. This strip softbox features a durable yet lightweight ripstop fabric shell, making it perfect for indoor or outdoor use. Its rectangular shape and 3-foot height deliver precise control for edge or rim lighting. And you can add some dramatic colors to your photo by popping in one or two of the polycarbonate MagBox Gels. The MagBox PRO's base features strong neodymium magnets that quickly attach to the MagRing or MagBox Speedring Adapter.
You’re going to need two more things to mount these light modifiers. The first is a speedring that fits your flash or strobe. The other is a cold-shoe mount to hold the speedring and your flash or strobe.
2: The MagRing 2 Speedring Adapters
A speed ring is a bracket that attaches your strobe to a softbox.
As you would expect, MagMod has clever solutions that make things faster and easier to use. If you’re using flash, you can mount one or two flashes in the MagRing 2 adapter. Just put a MagGrip 2 on each flash, which holds onto the MagRing 2.
If you're looking for a quick and easy way to attach larger modifiers to your smaller hot-shoe flashes, the MagRing 2 is the perfect solution. With its new optimization for round-head flashes, the MagRing 2 can quickly adapt to either type of flash, making it even more versatile than before. Plus, its strong magnets make it super simple to attach and remove from your flash, so you can be up and running in no time at all. And if you need to mount two flashes at once, the MagRing 2 can easily handle that too.
If you prefer a strobe instead of a flash, you’ll need to get the correct MagRing for your mount type. Here are the options available.
Forget about all the cumbersome speedring adapters you've used in the past - the MagBox Speedring Adapter for Bowens is a game changer. This adapter allows you to quickly and easily attach your softbox to your Bowens strobe, making it a versatile light source. It works with Godox strobes, and there are MagBox Speedring adapters for other types of strobe mounts.
The MagMod MagBox Speedring Adapter uses spring-loaded tabs to lock in your Elinchrom strobe mounts securely. Once the adapter is in place, magnetically attach your MagBox Original 24" Octa Softbox, MagBox PRO 42" Octa, or the MagBox PRO 36" Grid Softbox to the adapter. No noisy velcro tapes or tacky adhesive strips are required. You can set it up or tear it down in seconds! The neodymium magnets inside the Octa and Grid Softboxes make attachment fast and easy. You can tilt the softbox at any angle, and the MagBox system will just stay put.
The MagMod MagBox Speedring Adapter uses spring-loaded tabs to securely lock in your Profoto strobe mounts. Once the adapter is in place, magnetically attach your MagBox Original 24" Octa Softbox, MagBox PRO 42" Octa, or the MagBox PRO 36" Grid Softbox to the adapter. No noisy velcro tapes or tacky adhesive strips are required. You can set it up or tear it down in seconds! The neodymium magnets inside the Octa and Grid Softboxes make attachment fast and easy. You can tilt the softbox at any angle, and the MagBox system will just stay put.
The MagMod MagBox Speedring Adapter uses spring-loaded tabs to securely lock in your Paul C. Buff strobe mounts. Once the adapter is in place, magnetically attach your MagBox Original 24" Octa Softbox, MagBox PRO 42" Octa, or the MagBox PRO 36" Grid Softbox to the adapter. No noisy velcro tapes or tacky adhesive strips are required. You can set it up or tear it down in seconds! The neodymium magnets inside the Octa and Grid Softboxes make attachment fast and easy. You can tilt the softbox at any angle, and the MagBox system will just stay put.
3: The MagMod MagShoe v2 Cold-shoe
This ergonomic handle is a dream come true for mounting your light modifiers. There’s a standard cold shoe on the top. The bottom slides onto a standard nut on a light stand. Just twist the bottom knob to tighten or loosen it.
It’s the part in between that makes it remarkable to use. The MagShoe feels like a pistol grip. Pull the yellow trigger to release the tension, and you can angle your light in multiple directions. Release the trigger to lock everything in place.
It’s drop-dead simple to use.
The MagMod MagShoe v2 is a universal cold shoe bracket that makes it easy to keep your Speedlight flash, umbrella modifier, and large softbox in place. The new MagShoe v2 features improved neodymium, rare-earth magnets, and a gold anodized color top. With its large squeezable button, you can easily adjust the MagShoe's position and lock it at any angle quickly.
4: MagGels for MagBox
Like the MagGels mentioned for small flash, these are also made from polycarbonate material. They’re rigid and uncompromising.
You can easily insert or remove a MagGel while the MagBox is in place, thanks to a zipper on the side of the MagBox that allows you to reach in and adjust a MagGel on the frame.
You can use a series of color correction gels to warm, cool, or correct fluorescent lights. There’s also a neutral density filter to limit your quantity of light.
With the MagMod Color Correction Gels, you can easily balance the color temperature of your flash to get the perfect photo every time. Whether you need to warm up a photo with the CTO gels or cool down the flash temperature with the CTB filters, these gels make post-processing a breeze. The Plus Green gels help you achieve accurate color balance when shooting under fluorescent light, so your photos look natural and realistic. And for those times when you need to reduce the light output by 3 stops without any color bias, the 8x ND filter is perfect.
5: MagBox Small Case for 24″
The first MagBox on the market was the MagBox PRO 24″ model. This sturdy case makes it easy to store your kit in one convenient carrying bag.
It has room for the MagBox PRO 24″, the MagShoe, a MagRing, MagGels, and your small flash.
Organize your MagBox System and Speedlight flashes with this rigid MagBox Small Case. The case features a rigid inner core to hold FocusDiffusers and two zipper openings on each end. One side is designed to store the MagBox PRO 24" Octa, while the other has multiple compartments to hold your MagRing, MagShoes, Fabric Diffusers, and flashes. The inner zipper pocket on the top panel keeps the MagBox Gel protected from creasing.
A Different Lighting System For Studio Strobe
The MagBox system is easy to use. It opens quickly with umbrella brackets that you can easily lock into place.
The diffusers attach with magnets, making it easy and silent to put them on or take them off.
A zipper on each MagBox makes it easy to reach inside and add or remove a gel without removing the softbox from your strobe.
It’s a well-conceived design that makes studio strobe photography much easier.
Understanding the Focus Diffuser
The first MagBox, a 24″ octabox, introduced a focus diffuser. It serves the same purpose as a grid to direct the light from your softbox and provide effective output on your subject.
The focus diffuser Quicky and easily fits over the front of the softbox and attaches with magnets. It’s a welcome change in the photo industry.
Sadly, the other softboxes in the Magbox system don’t include a focus diffuser.
Conclusion: Check Out the MagBox System
I started with the MagBox 24″ model on the Kickstarter campaign and it’s quickly become my go-to light modifier for many projects. Of course, sometimes you need a larger modifier or a different shape. Now that the stripbox and 42″ octa are available, you have great options for beautiful light.
Need a Flash to Go With Your MagBox?
I listed all the best Godox flashes on this page so you can buy with confidence. Click the link below.
