40-Degree Egg Crate Grid for Stripbank 1x3: What It Does
By Westcott | Published: 2026-11-04
Category: مراجعات المنتجات
A practical buying guide to the 40-degree egg crate grid for Stripbank 1x3 and Switch 1x3 softboxes, covering spill control, edge-light use, and when to choose it.
Quick answer
Buy the 40-degree egg crate grid if you use a Stripbank 1x3 or Switch 1x3 as an edge, rim, or hair light and need to keep its output off the background and lens. Skip it if you want a wider, softer wash or you already control spill with flags.
What the 40-degree grid changes on a 1x3 strip
A strip softbox is long and narrow, so it naturally throws a line of light. Adding a 40-degree egg crate narrows that line further and adds depth, which helps when the strip is close to a backdrop or aimed past the camera. The trade-off is less wrap and a faster falloff, so the strip must be placed more precisely.
This is not a softbox grid in the generic sense. It is cut for the 1x3 Stripbank and Switch 1x3 shape, so the cells align with the strip’s long axis. Using a rectangular grid made for a different modifier shape can leave gaps or uneven coverage.
When spill control matters more than softness
Edge and rim lights are often positioned behind or beside the subject, where any stray light hits the lens or background. The 40-degree grid is most useful there because it limits the cone without requiring a flag that may intrude on the frame. For a hair light above a seated subject, the added depth also helps keep light off the forehead and background.
If your main concern is a soft, even fill on a face or product, a grid works against you. The same narrowing that controls spill reduces the effective source size and increases contrast. In that case, use diffusion or a larger modifier instead of a grid.
Decision rules for buying the 40-degree strip grid
- Match the modifier shape first: Confirm you are using a Stripbank 1x3 or Switch 1x3. This grid is cut for that 1x3 strip shape; a grid for an octa or rectangular box will not seat correctly. Measure your softbox opening before ordering.
- Choose 40 degrees for edge and rim work: If the strip is used as an edge light, rim light, or hair light and you see spill on the background or lens, the 40-degree grid is the right control. If you need a wider wash, use the strip without a grid or with a larger modifier. Decide based on where the spill is landing, not on the grid name.
- Compare against flags before you buy: A flag can also cut spill, but it adds a stand and setup time and may intrude on tight sets. The grid stays on the softbox and needs no extra rigging. If you already own flags and have space, try them first. Count the cost of extra stands and setup time, not just the grid price.
- Plan for reduced output: A 40-degree grid narrows the beam, so expect to raise strobe power or move the light closer compared with an ungridded strip. Check that your light has enough power for the distance you need. Test the grid at your intended distance before a paid shoot.
Product facts
- 40-Degree Egg Crate Grid for Stripbank 1x3 & Switch 1x3: Hand-assembled interlocking grid with increased depth for improved light control. The deeper cells are what make the 40-degree cutoff practical on a long strip, rather than just a shallow screen.
40-Degree Egg Crate Grid for Stripbank 1x3 & Switch 1x3 - 40-Degree Egg Crate Grid for Stripbank 1x3 & Switch 1x3: Attaches to a softbox with heavy-duty touch fastener and has a labelled edge. You can mount and align it quickly on set, which matters when the strip is rigged overhead or behind a subject.
- 40-Degree Egg Crate Grid for Stripbank 1x3 & Switch 1x3: Collapses into an included case for easy travel and storage. It packs flat with the rest of your strip lighting kit, so you are more likely to carry it to location shoots.
Who should buy it
Best for
- Photographers using a Stripbank 1x3 or Switch 1x3 as an edge, rim, or hair light
- Studio and location shooters who need to control spill without adding flags
- Users who want a packable grid that stores in its own case
Not for
- Anyone who needs a broad, soft fill from a strip softbox
- Owners of other softbox shapes or sizes that are not 1x3 strips
- Shooters who already control spill effectively with flags and want to avoid light loss
