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Archive 2009 · PCB PLM system shipping!

bacilonur
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p.1 #1 · PCB PLM system shipping!

Just got this email about my PLM pre-order, this should make things interesting around here again. :-)

Hello,

We are contacting to let you know that we now have some of the items you have on pre-order in stock. We received the PLM system (Parabolic Light Modifiers) and those are ready to ship...Please give us a call toll free at 800-443-5542 or 615-383-3982 if you would like us to go ahead a process the items on your pre-order that we have in stock. If we do not hear from you we will keep all items you are interested in purchasing on your pre-order and contact you as soon as any other items become available and we can ship them all together.

Thanks,

Lori

Customer Service Manager

Paul C Buff Inc

White Lightning, AlienBees

Aug 04, 2009 at 05:25 PM

bacilonur
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p.1 #2 · PCB PLM system shipping!

Placed my order with Lori, she quoted the output at 10 feet with an AB800 set to 250ws with the 64-inch umbrella reflector at f/22.something (can't remember, f/22.3 or thereabouts). Suweeeet.

Aug 04, 2009 at 05:36 PM

roanjohnnyc
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p.1 #3 · PCB PLM system shipping!

Oh man, am I glad I didn't sell my Alien bees!! Did you happen to get a price list? I can't find on their website.

Eat your heart out Profoto

I'm sure the quality won't even come close.......but for the price.........I'm sure that won't come close too, in a good way!!

Aug 04, 2009 at 06:02 PM

bacilonur
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p.1 #4 · PCB PLM system shipping!

They took down the product info, but for what I ordered:

PLM64U-S
PLM42U-S
PLM64-WFDF
PLM42-WFDF

With shipping it came to just $132. The frames are the 64'' and 42'' silver models, with the two outer diffusion fabrics. If I like 'em, I'll order the huge model. I don't really see the point of using them like a brolly/lantern, but you can get white instead of silver if you want to do that.

Aug 04, 2009 at 06:06 PM

roanjohnnyc
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p.1 #5 · PCB PLM system shipping!

So you got the 64 and 42 inches right?

I might start with the 64 and see how that works. I want all the fabric offered for that set-up (even the one where it shoots like a brolly - might be good for lighting a large room).

Aug 04, 2009 at 06:12 PM

bacilonur
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p.1 #6 · PCB PLM system shipping!

64 with all the fabrics will probably come to ~$100. I believe white is a little less reflective, so you may want to get two frames if you want better efficiency outdoors.

Aug 04, 2009 at 06:14 PM

Lovesong
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p.1 #7 · PCB PLM system shipping!

Sorry if I missed the boat on these, but how exactly are they different from the photek Softlighters? Aside from the fact that they are cheaper, modular, and have the silver umbrella option, rather than the gold and silver "donuts?"

Just curious.

Aug 04, 2009 at 11:55 PM

shatterkiss
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p.1 #8 · PCB PLM system shipping!

Yeah, I'm having trouble picturing the way in which these are true parabolic reflectors as opposed to umbrellas with diffusers. Are there any product photos or specs available anywhere? All I could find were a couple of vague renderings.

Aug 05, 2009 at 01:10 AM

bacilonur
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p.1 #9 · PCB PLM system shipping!

All I've seen have been renderings, but I'd be pretty surprised if they've been bluffing all along about the efficiency ratings. From what I remember, though, I think the deepest they got was 9-12'', so it was more about making the surface and shape act as a highly-optimized reflector as opposed to a semi-softbox, where the light would be bouncing around inside due to the depth (like the EL Deepthroat).

Depending on how well they perform, I might just retire all my outdoor umbrellas and then keep a few spare frames around for when they come crashing down.

For anyone looking for a huge modifier, though, the 86'' model seems to be a great option right now. I had Photoflex's 7' octa for a while but found it too huge and kludgy to setup and work with, and it's sort of specialized so you don't really bring it along very often "just in case". Whereas if you want a huge octa, the 86'' can be everything from a Jumbrella style to a lantern to just a huge diffused octa, possibly akin to the EL Octa with both diffusers in place and the head bouncing off the inside.

Oh Simon, on a completely different topic, have you checked out Google Voice? It's awesome.

Aug 05, 2009 at 01:24 AM

shatterkiss
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p.1 #10 · PCB PLM system shipping!

bacilonur wrote:
Depending on how well they perform, I might just retire all my outdoor umbrellas and then keep a few spare frames around for when they come crashing down.

Yeah, I mean, that's the value that I'd see from the descriptions and images I see...these seem like Softlighter competitors, which would be more than welcome. The Softlighter is a great utility modifier: it lacks finesse but it's a great tool for when you can only carry one or two modifiers. It's also ridiculously fragile...I think I've gone through three or four of them.

But it doesn't seem to be a similar tool to those offered by Profoto, Bron, Briese. The light that those things produce is more similar to giant beauty dishes than umbrellas.

I had Photoflex's 7' octa for a while but found it too huge and kludgy to setup and work with, and it's sort of specialized so you don't really bring it along very often "just in case".

I'm only using the 5' and I still stopped taking it out of the studio for most things. I love the light that it produces, but setting it up is a time and space commitment. Whereas I can stick the 60" Softlighter in with everything else and have it up and running pretty quickly when I want it. I don't love the light it produces on any level, but it does the job in a pinch.

Oh Simon, on a completely different topic, have you checked out Google Voice? It's awesome.

I was really intrigued by it back when it was still GrandCentral, but I haven't really played with it since. My business lines are already Skype lines, which are easy to forward and I get voicemail notifications both via email and iPhone app, so I feel like I'm halfway there...but virtualizing all of that communication makes soooooooo much sense for folks, like us, who are rarely at our desks.

Aug 05, 2009 at 02:06 AM

sboerup
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p.1 #11 · PCB PLM system shipping!

I remember seeing these. For the price, I'm sure they'll be good modifiers, but they didn't look like true parabolics. Unfortunately I don't see any info on the sights anymore, but an 84" sounds tempting for the price

Aug 05, 2009 at 02:17 AM

bacilonur
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p.1 #12 · PCB PLM system shipping!

shatterkiss wrote:
But it doesn't seem to be a similar tool to those offered by Profoto, Bron, Briese. The light that those things produce is more similar to giant beauty dishes than umbrellas.

True. I see these as being more suited to outdoor sunny work where perfect light quality is far less important than efficiency. I'll do some tests as soon as I get mine, but if the output is anywhere near what they're quoting, they'll probably be the modifier of choice for anyone with a Quadra or AcuteB.

I was really intrigued by it back when it was still GrandCentral, but I haven't really played with it since. My business lines are already Skype lines, which are easy to forward and I get voicemail notifications both via email and iPhone app, so I feel like I'm halfway there...but virtualizing all of that communication makes soooooooo much sense for folks, like us, who are rarely at our desks.

There are a few really cool things about GV, even compared to Skype:
Unlimited free US calls
Unlimited free SMS
Snazzy number routing based on what phone you want it to go to and what number it's coming from, so all those pesky friends go straight to voicemail.

And best of all, voicemail transcribing. Shows up just like an email in your account.

And since it's pretty new, you can still find vanity numbers in most area codes. The iPhone GV app can be installed with Cydia, and with that you can get T-mobile's basic 300 minute plan + data for just $40/month and have unlimited minutes, not just nights and weekends.

Aug 05, 2009 at 02:49 AM

Paul Buff
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p.1 #13 · PCB PLM system shipping!

sboerup wrote:
I remember seeing these. For the price, I'm sure they'll be good modifiers, but they didn't look like true parabolics. Unfortunately I don't see any info on the sights anymore, but an 84" sounds tempting for the price

The silver PLMs are as true a parabolic as it gets. Smooth even coverage (about 40° spread) with immense output when used without optional front diffuser . . . indeed, f22+ range at 10' ISO100 with 225WS. (focusable to about 80° with more like f16 at 10'). Overpower the sun easily with 320WS - close to f 32 at 10' ISO 100 from a 75" near circular source (16 sides). (86" is around the arc - standard specification method for umbrellas - this is 75" across the face.

With the optional front diffuser panel it acts more like a softlighter but with more output and a 100° plus spread.

Full info on the website and sample shots in a few days.

Aug 05, 2009 at 06:46 AM

roanjohnnyc
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p.1 #14 · PCB PLM system shipping!

bacilonur wrote:
shatterkiss wrote:
But it doesn't seem to be a similar tool to those offered by Profoto, Bron, Briese. The light that those things produce is more similar to giant beauty dishes than umbrellas.

True. I see these as being more suited to outdoor sunny work where perfect light quality is far less important than efficiency. I'll do some tests as soon as I get mine, but if the output is anywhere near what they're quoting, they'll probably be the modifier of choice for anyone with a Quadra or AcuteB.

I wonder how this attaches to the strobe head. Does it go through the umbrella mount or is there a speedring attached from a specific distance for the strobe to be inserted? Either way, I have my fingers crossed that there will be a mod for this to work on a Quadra.

Aug 05, 2009 at 12:41 PM

conradicus
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p.1 #15 · PCB PLM system shipping!

Umbrella mount.

http://www.webecool.com/PLM.html

Aug 05, 2009 at 12:43 PM

roanjohnnyc
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p.1 #16 · PCB PLM system shipping!

Paul Buff wrote:
sboerup wrote:
I remember seeing these. For the price, I'm sure they'll be good modifiers, but they didn't look like true parabolics. Unfortunately I don't see any info on the sights anymore, but an 84" sounds tempting for the price

Aug 05, 2009 at 12:44 PM

roanjohnnyc
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p.1 #17 · PCB PLM system shipping!

conradicus wrote:
Umbrella mount.

http://www.webecool.com/PLM.html

Shucks!!! So it won't work with Elinchrom.

Aug 05, 2009 at 12:45 PM

conradicus
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p.1 #18 · PCB PLM system shipping!

What size do Elinchrom accept up to?

Aug 05, 2009 at 12:51 PM

Scott Clark
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p.1 #19 · PCB PLM system shipping!

If it is a true parabolic reflector, you could substitute a microphone for the strobe and listen to those sideline conversations like those guys from ESPN

.

I might seriously have to look at these for location use....very curious to see the results they produce.

Aug 05, 2009 at 01:09 PM

roanjohnnyc
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p.1 #20 · PCB PLM system shipping!

conradicus wrote:
What size do Elinchrom accept up to?

I know Elinchrom has their own size for umbrella mount (not sure about specifics).

Aug 05, 2009 at 01:25 PM

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