PCB PLM system REVIEWS

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Archive 2009 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

hatch1921
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p.1 #1 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

Hi all,

Seeing that the original thread about the PCB PLM system shipping is a little nutty...sort of lost its way....just my opinion.... how about a review thread?

Spencer mentioned he would have one delivered today... several of you have purchased the PCB PLM system or are thinking about it.

So how about mini reviews with some shots... to keep the thread on target. I'm not really in the market for one of these... but... I do find it interesting.

The Quadra thread was helpful...I think?

So...

First impressions...

Your testing methods (distance to subject...flash head used...meter readings...etc)

What you like?
What could be improved upon?
What you dislike?

Conclusion and a rating... say on a scale from 1-5.... 5 being a killer product.... 1 being... I will use it in the rain to shelter the family.

Just thought I would put this out there.

Hatch

Aug 18, 2009 at 11:48 PM

shoebox9
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p.1 #2 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

The packaging is excellent.

I wish the velcro wrap-around strap was sewn on, rather than being loose to fall off and get lost.

Might be a few days before I get to test.

Aug 18, 2009 at 11:59 PM

E-Vener
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p.1 #3 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

Right now I am in the playing stage that I always go through before starting a serious review. My ful l review will be in PPA's professional Photographer Magazine. Whether it will be in the print or the on line version (http://www.ppmag.com ) or both, I do not know.

One thing I do know is that becasue of it's light weight I'm going t odo some shooting with the the thing high up on a boom. With the Broncolor and Profoto that proposition is a little dicey without a very large, very heavy weight cinema class stand like a Matthews High Roller / Crank-O-Vator and lots of sandbags. I'll still be using a good size stand and sandbags of course (safety 1st!)

Aug 19, 2009 at 12:38 AM

hatch1921
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p.1 #4 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

E-Vener wrote:
Right now I am in the playing stage that I always go through before starting a serious review. My ful l review will be in PPA's professional Photographer Magazine. Whether it will be in the print or the on line version (http://www.ppmag.com ) or both, I do not know.

One thing I do know is that becasue of it's light weight I'm going t odo some shooting with the the thing high up on a boom. With the Broncolor and Profoto that proposition is a little dicey without a very large, very heavy weight cinema class stand like a Matthews High Roller / Crank-O-Vator and lots of sandbags. I'll still be using a good size stand and sandbags of course (safety 1st!)

Looking forward to your review.

Hatch

Aug 19, 2009 at 05:13 AM

sboerup
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p.1 #5 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

I'll have to get some sample shots of my setup and write a little more about my first impressions. Don't expect a $1500 modifier for $80. Expect a decent modifier at a great price.

Aug 20, 2009 at 06:27 AM

bacilonur
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p.1 #6 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

Had a chance to do some output tests to find the ideal distance from the bulb, here are the results. I got 1'' gaffers tape and measured off every other inch, starting from the end of the pole (furthest from the ribs). Measured with a Minolta VI at roughly 8 feet. Took measurements in a 3' diameter and averaged the results.

If you want the quick answer: Use the 42 12''-14'' away from the end for max output, and the 64 13''-14'' away for max output.

The greatest anomaly I found was .3 stops difference in some of the settings. I set each position to exactly where the bulb was on an AB400 with no reflector. X1600 gave +2 stops, as expected. I'll try it with an Acute2 when I can shave the end a little.

Silver 42'' PLM:
7'': 5.6 6/10
8'': 5.6 8/10
9'': 8 3/10
10'': 8 6/10
11'': 8 9/10
12'': 11 2/10 (the recommended "neutral" position parallel to the umbrella tip)
13'': 11 3/10
14'': 11 3/10
15'': 11 1/10
16'': 8 7/10 (bulb couldn't get any closer due to the ribs)

Silver 64'' PLM:
9'': 8 5/10
10'': 8 7/10
11'': 8 9/10
12'': 11 0/10
13'': 11 1/10
14'': 11 1/10
15'': 11 0/10
16'': 8 9/10 (neutral, recommended setting)
17'': 8 7/10
18'': 8 5/10
19'': 8 1/10

If someone wants to do this with a silver 86'', that'd be great. I expected these results due to the shape and size of the parabolics: The smaller one works better when you're in a little bit more, letting out less spill, while the larger one works a bit better when you're further out, so the light spread is more even between the far edges and the center.

Aug 25, 2009 at 05:23 AM

bacilonur
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p.1 #7 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

And Paul, it'd be really nice if you could come with some sort of flush sticker along part of the shaft with some writing like "Max output, dark center, 40º", "Medium output, even center, 60º", "Medium output, even spread, 80º", etc., kinda like Profoto heads have. Gaffers tape gets stuck when you open it or fold it up, and it's sorta clumsy to have to figure out where you're at in relation to the PLM edges with a 64'' or 86''.

Aug 25, 2009 at 05:29 AM

Paul Buff
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p.1 #8 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

bacilonur wrote:
And Paul, it'd be really nice if you could come with some sort of flush sticker along part of the shaft with some writing like "Max output, dark center, 40º", "Medium output, even center, 60º", "Medium output, even spread, 80º", etc., kinda like Profoto heads have. Gaffers tape gets stuck when you open it or fold it up, and it's sorta clumsy to have to figure out where you're at in relation to the PLM edges with a 64'' or 86''.
Logical suggestion but hard to accomplish. Maybe in the future.

Aug 25, 2009 at 08:00 AM

E-Vener
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p.1 #9 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

Balicour,

try using a sharpie pen to mark the shaft.

Aug 25, 2009 at 01:06 PM

John Ricard
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p.1 #10 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

I posted my review of the PLM Parabolic Umbrella. It is in 2 parts and shows some sample images from the shoot. At times you may see an image that would benefit from a bit of post processing (to make the image either lighter or darker) but I posted the images into the video without doing any post processing.

Part 01:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlQXB8omtyo

Part 02:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=feFATdwkLUk

Aug 25, 2009 at 05:55 PM

rscheffler
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p.1 #11 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

John, would it be possible for you to post a few photos or a gallery from that session someplace for a closer look?

Aug 25, 2009 at 06:32 PM

roanjohnnyc
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p.1 #12 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

Aug 25, 2009 at 06:50 PM

Paul Buff
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p.1 #13 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

John Ricard wrote:
I posted my review of the PLM Parabolic Umbrella. It is in 2 parts and shows some sample images from the shoot. At times you may see an image that would benefit from a bit of post processing (to make the image either lighter or darker) but I posted the images into the video without doing any post processing.

Part 01:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlQXB8omtyo

Part 02:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=feFATdwkLUk

Good job John. These things are hard to do quickly with any great degree of technical attention. But I believe you captured the essence of the silver PLM in comparison to the other modifiers.

If you analyze the results I think they show a similar coverage evenness to the others, but at significantly higher light output.

Some technical observations: The modeling lamp on the Profoto head sticks way out in front of the flashtube. So the modeling lamp is positioned more or less as a bare bulb, but the flashtube is focused a lot more by the reflector, which appears to be around a 50° reflector. Such a reflector is never suitable for proper use of any umbrella.

This is resulting in the PLM not being "filled" by the flashtube. Thus the flash is likely filling only about 1/2 of the PLM surface, resulting in around a 36" source size instead of 75". This produces less wrap around effect and more pronounced shadows than would result with the proper bare-bulb with 180° back plate.

Another note: Had you moved the lamp in toward the PLM a few inches you would have gotten a wider coverage angle along with a slight reduction of output - about 1/2f.

But all in all I think you did a good job.

Thanx

Aug 25, 2009 at 07:06 PM

E-Vener
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p.1 #14 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

Nice quick review John and nicely done.

One caveat: using Profoto's Disk Reflector should, theoretically, yield more even results

http://www.profoto.com/products/profoto/lightshapingtools/reflectors/disc-reflector

Edited on Aug 25, 2009 at 08:46 PM · View previous versions

Aug 25, 2009 at 08:00 PM

Paul Buff
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p.1 #15 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

E-Vener wrote:
Nice quick review John and nicely done.

One caveat; using Profoto's Disk Reflector should , theorectically, yield more even results

http://www.profoto.com/products/profoto/lightshapingtools/reflectors/disc-reflector
I totally agree.

Aug 25, 2009 at 08:29 PM

conradicus
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p.1 #16 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

Good review John. Some really good tests.
Thanks

Aug 25, 2009 at 08:55 PM

John Ricard
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p.1 #17 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

I've never seen that reflector. Since its a Profoto it shouldn't set me back more than 4 or 5 hundred dollars

I did use the umbrella in barebulb mode in some of the shots, btw.

As for images, here are some from the PLM as well as one from the Octabank.

(I really hate posting images from my video shoots, because my focus was on making the video and not on taking pics, so sometimes I'm not too proud of the pics themselves.

BTW, the 2 PLM photos on white have had a slight levels adjustment to compensate for my shooting them a bit overexposed).

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Edited on Aug 25, 2009 at 09:39 PM · View previous versions

Aug 25, 2009 at 09:10 PM

E-Vener
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p.1 #18 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

Profoto Disk Reflector: new @ B&H: $86.00

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=[PROFOTO%20DISC%20REFLECTOR]&N=0

You can probably rent one at Fotocare.

Aug 25, 2009 at 09:30 PM

NikonAndy
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p.1 #19 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

Paul, would you consider your PLM a good option for a wedding photographer looking to light group formals and a good option for shots of just the couple? I know that each tool can be used differently for each job, but I like the idea of one tool for easy use during a wedding day.

What are your thoughts? Is there a particular size you'd recommend for this application?

Also, I'll be using SB-900s with the light modifier.

Thanks so much,
Andy

Edited on Aug 25, 2009 at 09:40 PM · View previous versions

Aug 25, 2009 at 09:31 PM

John Ricard
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p.1 #20 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

I have never used the White version of the PLM, but my guess would be that the White version with the diffusion panel would be good for group wedding shots.

I don't think I'd use the Silver without diffusion for group shots at a wedding.

Aug 25, 2009 at 09:38 PM

NikonAndy
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p.1 #21 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

Thanks for your thoughts, John, and thanks for the video, very cool.

I forgot to mention that I use SB-900s to light my formals. Would this change your thoughts at all?

Aug 25, 2009 at 09:40 PM

John Ricard
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p.1 #22 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

I wouldn't buy the PLM if my only light source were on camera strobes.

Aug 25, 2009 at 09:54 PM

rscheffler
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p.1 #23 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

NikonAndy wrote:
Thanks for your thoughts, John, and thanks for the video, very cool.

I forgot to mention that I use SB-900s to light my formals. Would this change your thoughts at all?

I'm not Paul, but will take a crack at your question:

I think it would depend a lot on what ambient light levels you're working with. If it's full sunlight then my feeling would be that you'll be limited by the power of the SB-900 in a white PLM or umbrella. It seems the real benefit of the PLM for lower power units is with the silver material. So far there haven't been many reviews or much information coming from those with the white units, at least in terms of light output vs. standard umbrellas. Perhaps Paul can offer some facts?

So far I've been reading the reviews here and on POTN and it seems to me that the PLM would be a good option for bride & groom shots, individuals and maybe small groups. You'd probably want to light fairly head on as the light quality seems to be quite directional, but if done right could look like a beauty dish. The issue you'll run into with the silver PLM is light spread for large groups from one light source, especially the smaller PLMs. As many of the tests so far have shown, the PLM maintains a pretty even spread of light roughly similar to the diameter of the unit. But beyond that light seems to fall off quite rapidly.

What's also been discussed is just how effective, or rather, ineffective, a hotshoe type flash is in the PLM. This modifier is really designed to best take advantage of bare bulb capable units, such as studio strobes, but also the Q Flash or the now discontinued Sunpak 120J. Typical hotshoe flash units aren't able to illuminate the entire PLM when positioned at the focal point and the light quality suffers somewhat.

That's pretty much my take on the PLM in regards to your question, based on the information I've gathered over the past few days.

Ron

Aug 25, 2009 at 10:01 PM

NikonAndy
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p.1 #24 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

Hmm, you're probably right about the bare bulb issue, I didn't even think about the fact that the SB-900 wouldn't cover the area of the PLM.

Seems like it may not work.

Still, I'd be interested in what Paul has to say.

Aug 25, 2009 at 10:53 PM

John Ng
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p.1 #25 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

Aug 25, 2009 at 11:04 PM


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