The online shopping images didn't prepare me for receiving a long skinny carton but on pulling it out and comparing it to the printed setup instructions, I am glad it arrived configured the way it was. The long tall appearance differs from the literature. The product is semi-prepared in that tall configuration. I pretty much used intuition and got it figured out in under a minute of minor trial and error. It's actually clever.

The peak of the white fabric is capped with a disk of styrofoam that looks like packing material but that is for the following 'deployment' method that I use.

Look inside the end of the lantern and notice there is a thick rod about midway up that arches across the lamp. Further to the top is a thick rod extending straight down the center axis that has small knobs. Put the lamp on a table or floor upside down so you are looking into the inside. Push down on the Bowens mount and when the lantern is bowed out enough you will be able to get the arched rod and the other rod hooked together. Then when you release the lamp it keeps its shape and is secure. Good room lighting so the inside of the lantern is clearly visible helps a lot.

Some of the ribs are not going to be lined up with the seams in the fabric panels. That is why you'll likely see puckers and saggy panels. You can reach your forearm in the Bowens mount and shift the rods with your fingers to even them out in line with the seams around the circumference.

To get this whole thing mounted on a video light, while it is upside down I brought my 60W light over it, nose down, to engage the lantern's Bowens lugs. Lastly lift the assembled lantern and LED light onto your light stand.

I really like the super soft and even lighting. It has a visual appeal even richer than a small extendable open umbrella. It's going to depend on the subject and the amount of space I'm working in. Some talent might like this soft round orb facing them instead of a square sided softbox. This is light enough to toss in the back of the car to have available along with all the other varieties of gear that keep photography and video shooting enjoyable.