Lastolite Micro Apollo MKII £33, $54

www.lastolite.com

The Micro Apollo resembles a conventional softbox, but this design will stay upright without you needing to mess about with any supporting rods. Just pull the two plastic tabs either side of the grippy, elasticated flashgun collar and hey presto! Instant softbox. It packs flat and weighs next to nothing, so you’ll barely notice it on the go, while the 20 x 13cm panel provides a good balance of performance and portability.

Considering it’s such a small and simple piece of kit, this modifier generates amazing results. Shadows are noticeably more diffused when compared to the other conventional diffusers on test, and light temperature is impressively neutral too.

If you’re after great light diffusion in a portable package, the Micro Apollo is a brilliant buy.