Both Octa and Round SNAPBAGS with matching SNAPGRIDS deliver beautifully soft light with gentle shadows, perfect for professional-quality results. The key difference lies in the shape of the catchlight and shadow character:
Octa:
Offers a distinctive eight-sided catchlight that adds a subtle sculpting effect with slightly more defined shadows - ideal for portraits and cinematic lighting where depth and dimension bring your subject to life.
Round:
Creates classic, smooth round catchlights and evenly soft shadows, making it a versatile choice for product shots, interviews, or any scene where you want consistent, flattering illumination.
Your choice comes down to the look you want to achieve—the artistic edge of Octa or the timeless softness of Round.
The difference between Frost Frame Grids and Octa shape SNAPGRIDS, and when should I use each?
Frost Frame Grids and Octa SNAPBAGS with SNAPGRIDS offer distinct ways to control and shape your light, each designed to meet different creative needs:
FROST FRAME GRIDS:
Mounted on a separate frame stand placed in front of your lighting fixture, these rectangular grids combine a frosted diffusion layer with a grid to reduce spill and focus your beam. They don’t shape light through a softbox but are perfect when you need soft, directional control without altering the light’s core quality. One disadvantage is that the frost frame reflects spill light backwards.
Octa SNAPBAGS with SNAPGRIDS:
Engineered specifically for Octa softboxes, the SNAPGRID® features a square grid pattern inside the softbox that intensifies and sculpts the light before diffusion. This setup produces soft, dimensional shadows and the signature octagonal catchlight. Another major advantage is that the softbox and precisely dedicated SNAPGRID® prevent spill light from entering the scene.
Choose FROST FRAME GRIDS when you want to reduce spill in the directional light and achieve soft, directional light straight from your fixture. Opt for Octa SNAPBAGS® and SNAPGRIDS® when you’re aiming for beautifully sculpted intensified soft light with the iconic Octa catchlight.
The degree of a grid - like 30°, 40°, 50° - refers to the beam angle of the light that’s allowed to pass through the grid.
The Degree = Beam Spread
• A lower number (e.g. 30°) means a narrower beam - more directional, more controlled.
• A higher number (e.g. 50°) means a wider beam - less directional, softer edges.
• 30° = Narrow Spread and Tight control
• 40° = Medium Spread and Balanced, general use e.g. Interviews or portraits
• 50° = Wider Spread and Softer, Subtle shaping, large spaces
If you’re choosing one for your butterfly setup, think: how much spill can you afford?
• Need to control it tightly? Go 30°.
• Need more ambient spread but still shaped? Maybe 50°.
Built from tough, precision-stitched fabric, these grids are made to endure the demands of professional sets - maintaining their shape, tension, and performance over time.
The degree is determined by the size of the cells in the grid, the depth remains constant on all your DoPchoice Grids.
