Reviewing good light modifiers is one of my favorite types of reviews to write. As I highly value light, I aim to cover light-shaping tools more than anything else. When this softbox was released, my thoughts were split in half. On one hand, I see how it is useful, but on the other, it is simply not for the majority. Read on to find out why.
As someone who already has the smaller 2-foot version of the Clic softbox, I knew immediately that this modifier would be a little hard to review. I imagine most people who already have a Clic softbox won't require another slightly larger softbox in their arsenal. Especially if we are considering size and portability as the main reasons to own one in the first place.
At the same time, there is also a fair number of photographers who are choosing between one or the other. Those are the people who won't put portability and size as their primary reason to own Clic modifiers. They want more out of their existing system, something that is closer to large OCF modifiers and even RFi. There is a demographic of photographers that will find the Profoto Clic 2.7' Octa right for them. Let's see who it's for.
Build Quality
This is a softbox built to be assembled and disassembled within seconds. Just like the smaller version, it has the flip-up mechanism. This solves quite a few problems on set. Firstly, it cuts down the time spent on preparing for a shoot. Working on location, you might find yourself needing to move around quickly and break things up and take down every few takes. This can be for a variety of reasons, but the key thing is that you are able to do it without extra fuss. With the OCF and RFi modifiers of a similar size, you are not able to work as fast and are more often than not required to carry an assembled softbox, which gets annoying and uncomfortable in some cases.
The softbox itself is not that different in terms of build quality from the smaller one. It has a thick plastic base, with an integrated magnetic speedring. The material itself appears to be thin, somewhat reminiscent of what a light raincoat is made out of. Inside, you will find a silver coating that is reflective to the same moderate degree as the OCF 3' softbox. When talking about fairly low-power A-series modifiers, it would be great to see a material similar to the one used in the OCF Silver beauty dish. The latter modifier has a thicker and more reflective material, meaning increased light output. While increasing weight a bit, it will also increase the light output of the softbox.
There are two diffusion baffles inside the softbox, which is pretty standard. What is not, however, is that you can't remove them. The OCF softboxes have the same trait, which cuts down on the creative possibilities available to the photographer. Plenty of people use the softboxes with one of the baffles removed, often the larger one. I found that setup to give a more specular, while still soft quality to the light, which helps bring out skin detail.
One concern that I have with regard to build quality is the end of the softbox where the rods meet the fabric. It's an area of increased stress on the material, and there are cases when the rod poked through the fabric. A way to address this would be to reinforce the ends with plastic caps.
Light Quality
The softbox produces light that is softer than the light from the 2' Clic Octa. Just how much softer will the light get? As the modifier is nearly half as large, the difference will be similar to a 3' and 5' octa. Crucially, it does not change the light coverage, and you will get the same result as with the smaller modifier. What does change is the shadow edges; they become smoother, indicating a softer light. Due to the larger size of the modifier, the light output will be slightly lower. While not a problem in a controlled environment, it can be a negative in the field. This is simply because there is more softbox volume to fill, and more light has to bounce around and exit from a larger area. I would stay away from working on location with an A10 and a large Clic Octa. However, with an A2, this light can be quite a good way to create soft results, especially in cloudy weather. As such, it can be used to highlight the key part of the image. Don't expect it to make a significant difference in harsh midday sunlight, though.
You can add a grid to the softbox, reducing the light spill. It connects via Velcro. The grid itself is quite heavy, and it does hang down. This is unwelcome, and a better way to do this would be like in the RFi softboxes, where the grid is secured with more Velcro from the recessed front end.
What I Liked
- Quick assembly design
- Magnetic mount
- Integrated light stand mount
What Could Be Improved
- Ability to remove diffusers
- Tips of the rods poking out
Closing Thoughts
Priced at $400, without the grid, this is a pricey modifier. In comparison, the OCF 3' Octa with a speedring will cost $355. The grid is $189, which isn't cheap either. The price is definitely something for Profoto to work on. Unlike the Clic Magnum, here the price doesn't match what you're getting. I can't say the same for the 2' Clic Octa. Priced at $300, it is more accessible to the buyer while producing stunning soft light. That said, there are plenty of instances both on location and in the studio when the smaller softbox can't quite produce the soft result the client needs, which is ultimately why you would need a bigger modifier in the first place.
At the time of writing, the 2.7 Clic Octa is the softest modifier available for the A-series flash. Soft looks are pretty much timeless and always find popularity among your clientele. If you are after the softest light available from an A-series flash, buy the 2.7' Octa. If you can work with slightly harder light, get the 2' one.
Lastly, it is worth mentioning that there is a 2.3' version available. Being $50 cheaper than the 2.7 Octa, this is perhaps the sweet spot for some. As for me, I like extremes, so it's the 2' and the 2.7' Octa in the kit, without the middle ground.
What are your thoughts and feelings about this modifier? Is the price justified? Let us know in the comments!
B&H has their Angler brand version, that is nearly identical for half the price. This makes a much better option for most people. It's called the Angler Fastbox.
Little octo for $400 ? Yikes