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You'll find differences depending on finish, optional extras and shape.
Many dishes are quite shallow, but the latest Bowens BD has a much deeper bowl which gives a more focused look.
The Profoto has a flat back which changes how the light is projected, and in my opinion makes the opal glass centre spot almost a requirement compared to the metal standard.
Some dishes have the centre block quite close to the bulb, some are designed for the actual strobe heads for best results. How the light reflects off and spills around this centre spot will change the experience quite dramatically. Position of the tube in the BD can effect the end result.
How people actually aim their BD's will change their perception of results. You'll find some will aim direct at the subject, whilst others will use more of the bottom of the dish.
Supplied socks will give different results. Many are quite heavy diffusion, whilst the standard Profoto one is very light.
And of course different sizes and finishes will give varying results...
Now... will these differences give dramatically different results...? Probably not. But when I had a generic BD on my Bowens I never quite cared for the result, but when I got the new Bowens BD I started to fall in love wit the BD effect. When I changed to Profoto I was very dissapointed with the D1 / BD combination, until I used the dome and opal centre spot. So the differences were enough for me!
There are some that swear by their Mola dishes. I believe they need careful use to get the best results, but fans say they're the best (although after spending £600 on a dish I bet they'd not dare say otherwise... ha...) I've never played with one but I'd love to see the differences and how the light pattern works.
What I will say is that yo can't just throw a BD on and expect great results. They need careful use and lots of testing to see what each one will do for you to get the most out of them. I always smile when I see someone using a BD 20 ft from the subject. I don't think they've quite got the hang of what a BD actually does...!
Biggest difference is finish. White is going to be more forgiving, but silver can give dramatic results. I'd recommend starting with white.
Chances are you'll end up with a few dishes before you find your favourite baby. I wonder if I'll ever succumb to the Mola fetish... I wonder if I'll ever see one at a UK trade show... grrr...
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