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superthumbs Offline Image Upload: On p.1 #1 · Help deciding on light modifier I recently picked up an Elinchrom kit: 2- Style 600s monolights and two softboxes. One box is pretty large, about 3x4, the other smaller about 2x3. I was about to pick up a couple of the standard reflectors, since my only modifier at this point is the two boxes. Thought I could use the bigger box as a main light and a reflector modified light as a kicker or edge light. But then I wondered if I would be better off saving just a few more dollars and getting the Softlite Reflector (beauty dish). I shoot a little bit of everything, bands (4 members usually), fashion (I wish I was better at this), portraits (indoors and out), products, sometimes weddings. I do like the "glossy" look. I would assume that if going the beauty dish route, the 27" would be a better option than the 17" because of the coverage it would offer, but someone with more experience might chime in. Then it would be a matter of silver/white. I basically just need the most versatile setup I can get. I won't be able to pick up more accessories for a while as I am getting a Honda generator for location shoots too. Please let me know any advice/suggestions you might have. Thanks. Apr 04, 2008 at 07:25 AM

blob loblaw Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #2 · Help deciding on light modifier beauty dish is very nice indeed, but why not get some umbrellas first? Apr 04, 2008 at 08:30 AM

superthumbs Offline Image Upload: On p.1 #3 · Help deciding on light modifier Sorry forgot to mention, I do have a couple umbrellas, both silver and white/shoot-through. Apr 04, 2008 at 09:00 AM

JohnE Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #4 · Help deciding on light modifier A beauty dish will add very different quality of light to your lighting choices. It still can produce nice soft shadow edge transitions when used in close proximity to your subject, but offers a crisp/specular light as well. Great for beauty work (face and upper body.) This shot was done with a 33" Mola Beauty Dish with a kicker light on the left side and a hairlight aboveice the light on her cheeks. You could also consider a ringflash as well. :-) Best wishes, John Apr 04, 2008 at 12:50 PM

Carmen Miranda Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #5 · Help deciding on light modifier superthumbs wrote: I was about to pick up a couple of the standard reflectors, since my only modifier at this point is the two boxes........ I shoot a little bit of everything.......... I do like the "glossy" look............ beauty dish route, the 27" would be a better option than the 17" ...... a matter of silver/white. I basically just need the most versatile setup I can get. Super, Now that we have established that you have umbrellas, which are very versatile, especially on location, you will need to get the standard reflectors as "spill killers" to control the spread of light into the umbrellas. Next, the BD is nice but it is a very specialized modifier. I have a 27" silver, which I love but it is awkward to haul around. For more versatility I would recommend the 39" Mini Octa or even the Deep or Midi Octa, depending on whether you want tighter or broader coverage. These are part of Elinchroms Rotalux family and nothing is more versatile. They can be used as a traditional double diffused softbox or with a set of internal deflectors you can turn them into a large reflector or a quasi BD for a more "glossy" look. They are also easy to set up and transport. Price is reasonable when you consider they come with speed ring attached. Good luck. Edited on Apr 04, 2008 at 01:37 PM Apr 04, 2008 at 01:34 PM

superthumbs Offline Image Upload: On p.1 #6 · Help deciding on light modifier John, thanks for the example, I always love to see sample of how different techniques are used. Carmen, thanks for the feedback. I was looking into something like a 39" Deep, which I think is reasonably priced for what you get. Between the Deep and the Midi Octa, is it just going to be a difference in how tight the light spread will be? I do like the idea of adding a deflector to the Deep, can the same be done to the Midi or Mini Octa? Apr 04, 2008 at 04:51 PM

Carmen Miranda Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #7 · Help deciding on light modifier superthumbs wrote: Between the Deep and the Midi Octa, is it just going to be a difference in how tight the light spread will be? Precisely. The long throw Deep Octa is tight and even tighter with the inner diffuser only. Nice light with good control. The Mini and Midi both have a fairly wide throw. I do like the idea of adding a deflector to the Deep, can the same be done to the Midi or Mini Octa? Yes, deflectors work with any modifiers on a Elinchrom head because of their central umbrella fitting, but they work exceptionally well with the parabolic shape of the Rotaluxs. Especially with the Mini and Midi, IMO. Good luck. Apr 04, 2008 at 07:31 PM

superthumbs Offline Image Upload: On p.1 #8 · Help deciding on light modifier Thanks for the info Carmen. I just ordered the reflectors and will be looking at either a Deep Octa or Mini/Midi soon. One of my local dealers has had both on their show room floor and just the other day they were talking about putting a sale price on a few lighting items that hadn't moved in some time. I'm hoping one of these will be in the mark down list. Apr 05, 2008 at 02:55 AM

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