PCB PLM system REVIEWS

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Archive 2009 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

Carmen Miranda
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p.14 #1 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

RDKirk wrote:
Anything worth using is worth modding.

Although it probably would have been wiser to replace the shaft on my PLM instead of reaming the umbrella mount on my Quadra.

Nov 18, 2009 at 05:47 AM

turbodude
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p.14 #2 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

Welp finally got around to using my PLM

I really like it!

1

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Setup shot

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Lighting info:
X1600 shot into 86" PLM cam right around 60 degrees rear of model
Slight fill with sb800 in front at low/med power.
Used existing silver wall as a reflector, cam left

Dec 02, 2009 at 08:37 AM

gkayacan
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p.14 #3 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

ok new things with the PLM...

#1 great light
#2 the bag is the only one thing i don't like with ABS.
#3 the white reflector-thing is actually tooo big. but we figured out a solution

now few recents pics with the PLM as main light each time:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gkayacan/4156233500/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gkayacan/4150607639/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gkayacan/4124154831/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gkayacan/4104793679/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gkayacan/4097660161/

Dec 03, 2009 at 07:12 PM

turbodude
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p.14 #4 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

the last pixelrace image is superb.

Dec 03, 2009 at 09:49 PM

turbodude
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p.14 #5 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

here is another setup

This image is copyrighted by the owner

and resulting shot

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Dec 04, 2009 at 02:45 AM

John Ng
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p.14 #6 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

turbodude wrote:
here is another setup

This image is copyrighted by the owner

and resulting shot

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Nice shot! How did you get the narrow depth of field with the PLM? I would think you would be shooting at f8 or so. Thanks.

Dec 04, 2009 at 05:16 AM

turbodude
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p.14 #7 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

i was using iso100 @f4, and the x1600 in 160ws mode (ie: 1/4 power mode, making it a b400).

and then i was at almost minimum focus distance at something like 160-200mm, so it helps blow out the background. using my 70-200VR

Dec 04, 2009 at 05:28 AM

deepbluejh
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p.14 #8 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

So is anyone actually using the white PLM in shoot-through? The 86" silver seems to be very popular, the rest; not so much.

Thoughts?

Dec 04, 2009 at 02:39 PM

Carmen Miranda
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p.14 #9 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

No doubt some are, but what would be the point of buying a parabolic just to shoot through?
Silver is probably more appropriate for it's primary design function as a parabolic reflector.

Good luck.

Dec 04, 2009 at 03:32 PM

turbodude
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p.14 #10 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

i for one would not buy a PLM to use as a shoot through. I personally think it would defeat the purpose of teh parabolic design.

Dec 04, 2009 at 03:43 PM

deepbluejh
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p.14 #11 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

Well, the large, while PLM really isn't any more expensive than a large standard umbrella. So in that regard, I don't see the harm in using it for shoot through.

Dec 04, 2009 at 03:46 PM

Carmen Miranda
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p.14 #12 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

No harm, but why use a mondo shoot through parabolic if a smaller shoot through standard umbrella provides comparable effect?
IMO, it's like putting a scope on a shotgun. It works and looks really impressive, but not as practical as you'd think.

Dec 04, 2009 at 04:02 PM

joewoo
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p.14 #13 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

Haha scope on a shotgun

Dec 04, 2009 at 06:37 PM

Paul Buff
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p.14 #14 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

The white version is a very large 16 rib shoot through/bounce umbrella, and quite useful as such. All umbrellas have some form of parabolic shape so there is no great difference in that regard,

In the silver PLM, the parabola is tuned to produce exactly the effect it does, though refinements are underway to make it even more effective and more focusable.

If global politics allowed me to set up a factory in the Carolinas where US fabrics used to be made, refinements could come faster and quality could improve. ButAmericans don't like working for $.50/hr and customers wouldn't like paying $300.

Dec 04, 2009 at 06:48 PM

onetrack
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p.14 #15 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

I was thinking of using a 42" shoot through will spill-kill on the back. Easier than a soft box, can get closer to the subject than flipping the umbrella around away from the subject. Good price too. I think I could use it with the WL lights and speed lights but we'll see.

Scott

Dec 04, 2009 at 08:45 PM

hatch1921
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p.14 #16 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

Silver 86” 16 Rib Parabolic Umbrella NOTE: Item currently on Backorder.

Hi Paul,

Please forgive me if you have addressed this... any idea when the next shipment is due in?

Last question... is there a 7mm shaft option in the works?

I have a group of 20 to shoot in the near future.. .I was thinking a couple of 86 PLMs would take care of the light for me.

Thanks for the help.
Hatch

Dec 05, 2009 at 10:00 PM

Mattski1
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p.14 #17 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

deepbluejh wrote:
So is anyone actually using the white PLM in shoot-through? The 86" silver seems to be very popular, the rest; not so much.

Thoughts?

As a matter of fact, I was playing around with a 64" white PLM in my front room just the other evening. The following photo is of my 13 year-old daughter. I'm using a 64" white PLM shoot-through with a B800 for the key light. There's a B400 with a 40 degree grid lighting the background (Botero, studio gray). Camera is a Nikon D90 with a Nikkor 28-70 f/2.8 AF-S.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

I actually really like the white PLMs for shoot-through media. At $32, the 64" is a real bargin in my book. I bought a couple to use for larger group shots.

Dec 06, 2009 at 01:36 AM

RDKirk
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p.14 #18 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

Carmen Miranda wrote:
No doubt some are, but what would be the point of buying a parabolic just to shoot through?
Silver is probably more appropriate for it's primary design function as a parabolic reflector.

Good luck.

As far as utilizing the parabolic characteristics, you're right.

But that 86-inch in shoot-through mode provides an excellently broad fill light.

Dec 06, 2009 at 06:23 PM

Carmen Miranda
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p.14 #19 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

Matt, nice shot.
BTW, if you want to avoid shutter creep and take back some real estate, you might want to drop your shutter speed down a notch. 1/160 or 125th are probably better choices for full frame flash exposure, since max rated sync speed is highly unlikely when using a wireless trigger.

Good luck.

Edit. (flat humor)

Edited on Dec 06, 2009 at 11:21 PM · View previous versions

Dec 06, 2009 at 10:22 PM

RDKirk
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p.14 #20 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

No doubt, but so do my bed sheets. While I've used them from time to time it's not the primary reason I bought them.

But it is the reason I bought an 86-inch white umbrella. It's much easier to erect and pack on location than a bedsheet, and it absorbs much less of the light than a bedsheet. As a fill reflector for location use, it certainly is optimally designed.

You asked what was the point of buying a shoot-through umbrella. I give you da point--so why you gat huhu wit dat, brah?

Dec 06, 2009 at 10:27 PM

Paul Buff
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p.14 #21 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

onetrack wrote:
I was thinking of using a 42" shoot through will spill-kill on the back. Easier than a soft box, can get closer to the subject than flipping the umbrella around away from the subject. Good price too. I think I could use it with the WL lights and speed lights but we'll see.

Scott

Unless back spill and/or lens flare are big concerns I would just use it without the black cover . . . it's a pain to put on and doesn't increase the light to speak of.

Dec 07, 2009 at 06:48 AM

Paul Buff
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p.14 #22 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

hatch1921 wrote:
Silver 86” 16 Rib Parabolic Umbrella NOTE: Item currently on Backorder.

Hi Paul,

Please forgive me if you have addressed this... any idea when the next shipment is due in?

Last question... is there a 7mm shaft option in the works?

I have a group of 20 to shoot in the near future.. .I was thinking a couple of 86 PLMs would take care of the light for me.

Thanks for the help.
Hatch

There are two stages of development going on. Vendors are very slow in converting designs to product.

The PLMs now being made are due to ship to us in about 30 days and will have shorter 8mm shafts and considerable improvements in the front diffusers. Otherwise they will be essentially the same as the current ones.

I've had so much trouble communicating exact frame geometry and requirements I am now in the process of developing our own frame design and having it made by our excellent China metal vendor. This version will be quite different and will be available with 7mm shafts and a host of very tangible improvements I won't go into at this point. This is probably about 90 days out.

Dec 07, 2009 at 06:57 AM

Mattski1
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p.14 #23 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

Carmen Miranda wrote:
Matt, nice shot.
BTW, if you want to avoid shutter creep and take back some real estate, you might want to drop your shutter speed down a notch. 1/160 or 125th are probably better choices for full frame flash exposure, since max rated sync speed is highly unlikely when using a wireless trigger.

Good luck.

Edit. (flat humor)

Excellent advice, CM, thank you.

Dec 07, 2009 at 07:15 AM

jdben622
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p.14 #24 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

I've used the 86" white as a shoot through. It can put out a tremendous blast of flat light. This was done with a single 86" and a 1200ws head @ f11. The ends dropped <1-stop compared to the center.

2012 © jdben622

Dec 07, 2009 at 07:35 AM

onetrack
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p.14 #25 · PCB PLM system REVIEWS

Paul Buff wrote:
onetrack wrote:
I was thinking of using a 42" shoot through will spill-kill on the back. Easier than a soft box, can get closer to the subject than flipping the umbrella around away from the subject. Good price too. I think I could use it with the WL lights and speed lights but we'll see.

Scott

Unless back spill and/or lens flare are big concerns I would just use it without the black cover . . . it's a pain to put on and doesn't increase the light to speak of.

Yes, spill the the exact problem when shooting outdoors. Typically, I'm using a long lens and the flash is much closer to the subject than I am.

Scott

Dec 07, 2009 at 01:56 PM


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