Egg Crate 60°

Overview

An "Egg Crate 60°" is a soft fabric grid (English: Soft Egg Crate, also known as Fabric Grid or Soft Egg Crate Grid) placed in front of the diffusion surface of a softbox, lightbank, diffusion frame, or overhead butterfly. It consists of interlocking fabric dividers that form numerous square cells, concentrating the outgoing light in a tunnel-like effect. Unlike a hard reflector grid (honeycomb), it preserves the soft, broad character of the light. A well-known example is the Chimera Lighttools product line, which offers such soft egg crates in various sizes and angles.

Function and Effect

The degree indication – here 60° – denotes the beam angle to which the grid limits the light output. A larger value (e.g., 60°) allows for a wider beam of light and is less constricting than a smaller value (e.g., 20°, 30°, or 40°). The egg crate directs the light more precisely onto the subject, reduces side spill light and flare, and keeps light away from the background or adjacent set areas without compromising the soft light quality of the large source.

Use on Set

Egg crates are primarily used for interviews, portraits, beauty, and product shots when soft yet controlled light is desired. They are used with classic softboxes as well as with soft-light modifiers for modern LED panel lights (manufacturers offer compatible egg crates for ARRI SkyPanel softboxes, among others). Soft egg crates are lightweight, can be folded flat, and are typically attached via hook-and-loop fasteners or straps, so they minimally affect the fixture's balance.

Available Angles

The specific choice depends on the softbox size and the desired light control; some also feature asymmetrical variants (e.g., 20°×60°) that keep the light narrower in one direction and wider in another.