# Water bottle light unfurls to 21-inch softbox

> Photographer created water bottle-sized light that unfolds to 21-inch softbox without baggage fees.
- Title: Water bottle light unfurls to 21-inch softbox | Shortify
- Summary: Photographer created water bottle-sized light that unfolds to 21-inch softbox without baggage fees. Photographer Michael the Maven built a water bottle light…
- Keywords: maven talon, maven filters, michael the maven, water bottle light, led video light, photography lighting, kickstarter, Water, bottle, light, unfurls, 21-inch
- Source: Digital Camera World — https://digitalcameraworld.com/photography/lighting/a-photographer-paid-hundreds-in-baggage-fees-just-to-pack-lights-so-he-created-a-water-bottle-sized-light-that-unfurls-into-a-21-inch-light-no-softbox-required
- Published: 2026-10-15T14:15:04+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: maven talon, maven filters, michael the maven, water bottle light, led video light, photography lighting, kickstarter
## Photographer's baggage fee problem
Photographer paid over US$500 in airline baggage fees to get lights to a shoot.
## Maven Talon light design
Maven Talon unfolds into three-armed fan shape to create softbox-like lighting without softbox.
## Talon Mini specifications
Talon Mini folds to 15 cm / 5.9 inches and weighs 178g / 6.3 oz, outputs 55 lux at 1 meter.
## Talon Pro and Max specs
Talon Pro packs to size of 12 oz water bottle, unfolds to 21-inch light, outputs 287 lux at 1 meter.
## Lighting performance
Closer to subject creates more light: Mini offers 490 lux at 1 foot, Pro 2,130 lux, Max up to 4,340 lux.
## Talon launch details
Talon lights launch on Kickstarter with early pledges starting at $129 for Mini, $159 for Pro and Max.
## Shipping timeline
Maven Filters expects to begin shipping Talon lights in April 2027 after Kickstarter campaign reaches goal.
## Key takeaway

Photographer Michael the Maven built a water bottle light that unfolds to 21-inch softbox after paying $275 in baggage fees.