Glow EZ Lock 38" Deep Parabolic Quick Softbox

Bottom line up front: I can't find anything to complain about with this modifier. It performs as advertised, has great features, and is VERY easy to use. I've been a photographer for several years, but always shied away from artificial light for some reason--I guess I felt intimidated. But in recent months, I've started to get frustrated at having to "wait" for the right lighting conditions to get some of the shots I want to get--especially indoors near windows... So I bought a Godox SL-60W (continuous light), and paired it with the Glow 38" deep parabolic softbox. Value: Initially, I thought about buying a Neewer modifier--I have a few of their light stands, and they make quality gear--but some of their reviews say their Bowens Mounts don't always pair with the Godox SL-60W. So then I looked at a Godox modifier... but then I noticed the price. I'd have to pay a little over $100 bucks for a 38" modifier, and another $30 for the grid... Nope. Enter the Glow 38" deep parabolic modifier... It gets great reviews, is easy to use, is made of sturdy, high-quality material, and comes all-in-one (the modifier, two diffusion panels, a reflector disk, a carry case, AND the grid) all for around $90 bucks! Oh--and it pairs perfectly with my Godox SL-60W. No issues there. Material: This thing is solid. The inner metal and aluminum materials aren't flimsy at all. The umbrella mechanism locks snugly into the open position and stays there--no fiddling with it to make it stay open. The outer shell is durable, as are the diffusion panels. The carry case is a non-padded, nylon zipper case. And the inner material is a nice shiny silver material--so the light bounces around inside it brightly. Ease of use: I've seen YouTube videos of customers who bought other brand's modifiers having to fiddle with the appendages to put it all together, like making a camping tent--sliding little poles through little flaps--very tedious looking. Not so with the Glow modifier. I literally unzipped the carry case, pulled it out--set it on the floor (mount side down), and pushed the thing open like any umbrella. It locked in place with a satisfying "snick", and stayed there. I didn't have to insert any rods, or do anything tedious or fiddly. I didn't have to velcro on a second outer panel--this thing is literally ready to go (minus the diffusion panels) out of the box. Next, I snapped (yes, it uses snaps and little stretchy elastic strips) the inner diffusion panel into place. (I didn't install the reflector disk--but have it on standby in case I want to try it later. This softbox has a zipper near the Bowens Mount--so I can unzip, reach inside, and attach the disk if I want to. I can also reach the button to collapse the softbox from that same zipper opening. I use that zipper opening to reach inside and grab hold of the sturdy aluminum bits when I connect the modifier to my light--very helpful opening.) Next I connected the outer diffusion panel via velcro. Lastly, I attached the grid (it uses velcro as well). I connected it to my Godox light, mounted it to my light stand--and BOOM! Light! Nice, soft, diffused light. Took me less than 5 minutes. In my case, since I only have the 60 watt Godox continuous light, I noticed the light wasn't as "bright" as I'd hoped. I decided to remove the inner diffusion panel--so my light would be a bit brighter. It worked. I was initially afraid I'd have a "hot spot" without the inner diffuser--but no worries--no hot spot. That parabolic softbox must bend the light just right inside--so there's no hotspot. I don't have any off-camera flash systems (yet)--no speed lights, no studio strobes--But when I get one, I know which brand I'm going with when I need another modifier. Glow doesn't disappoint! If you're looking to control your light, this 38" deep parabolic modifier from Glow is a quality softbox that packs in some great features at a relatively low price. I recommend it!

Sturdy build. It's bigger than I thought but it's OK. Easy to setup as well

This is my main soft box in studio. I really love it, and the glow that it gives off I might invest in a beauty dishes as well, but this is the main one I used for families and everything really that’s indoors. It’s very easy to set up and put on even for a beginner as well as very versatile… I haven’t tried to take it outside or anything because the size is very long… that’s why I still might go with a beauty dish as well for traveling purposes, but this is great

I love this box. Decades ago I had a deep parabolic umbrella that I purchased from Calumet (R.I.P.) and I lived it. Apparently at the time that concept had not yet caught on because they stopped selling them over 20 years ago. Now the world has discovered the beauty of a not directional and focused modifier and I couldn’t be happier. I love how this thing just pops open and collapses down like an umbrella but mounts like a soft box. The only slight downside is that since the speed ring is permanently attached it’s collapsed diameter is rather large at one end but this is a small trade off for its ease of use. Way better than having to insert so many rods each time you want to set it up. This is now my go to modifier for headshots.

Overall, I think this is great value for the money. Seems well made and durable. It creates a soft light that does what is intended. The attachment for the inner diffusion panel is the weak point. Maybe it's just the one I got; but, the snaps are so hard to unsnap once attached that they are going to quickly pull out of the fabric and make it impossible to use that inner panel. Wish they had used velcro to attach that inner panel. The snap attachment was just a bad idea. I bought it because it looked easy and fast to setup and break down, which it would be, but I just don't think the snap system is durable enough to actually use it that way. I will use this in the studio where I can leave it set up and buy a different brand for portable use.

I like this size and the results they produce ! I was so pleased with 1 of them, that I bought a second one to use as a pair. They arent too big and they arent too small. They are portable and easy to set-up, and tear-down. I use them with the beauty dish and really like them for outdoor HSS photoshoots.

When the umbrella arrived the locking mechanism wasn’t working, the button was stuck in, so it wouldn’t lock and stay open. I was bummed that I was probably going to have to return the item (especially since it took over a week to ship). Determined to make it work, I used a flat head screwdriver to scrape the area around the button on the locking mechanism, figuring that the finish might have been holding the button in. Then sfter a little WD40 the button popped out and the umbrella functioned perfectly. Since then it’s been a great product at a phenomenal price for what it is. I just wanted to post about the lock button issue in case anyone else faced it.

This is a HIGH QUALITY build & materials. For this price I would have been happy with lower quality... This is much higher quality than its price point. Comparable to top brands! It's EASY TO OPEN & CLOSE. That was a surprise, since people have talked about difficulty with this. Maybe they got a defective product, or maybe they didn't take a few seconds to figure out how it works. FANTASTIC LIGHT! The light it gives off is exactly as it should be. HEAVY-ish... It's a little heavy, but not too heavy. The size & shape are more difficult that the weight, and the size & shape are exactly what I wanted... Heavy-ish is NOT a complaint, just make sure you've got a good rig to hold this bad boy, & secure everything tight. If you don't a little wind will cause you to have to reset everything... NOTE, my male assistant in the photo is 6'4" and makes the softbox look smaller than it is.

My first sofbox it's very good

I love how the product do its job i have used it 3 times and the lining got holes already. Dunno if this is really like that or what