I'm thinking of ordering one of Paul Buff's 86" silver umbrellas once the new-generation PLM's become available. But I have a question for people here who already have one:
Unlike a softbox, reflected-light umbrellas place the lightstand and light head are in front of the light source. I'm wondering whether they would be distracting if they appear in reflections, such as in catchlights in a subject's eyes. I know it would take only a short time to clone the dark lines in Photoshop, but that's one more step that I'd like to avoid if possible. Is this a (minor) problem?
I wouldn't worry about such things.
As if you're going to use the PLM, generally it's half or full body, else you'd probably use a different modifier anyway.
It really depends on how noticeable or natural you need or want your catchlights or spectrals to appear. Even more prominent than the light stand will be the distinct PLM ribs which create a very segmented orb in catchlights. You can always use a front diffuser to make them appear more "natural", but IMO this defeats the primary purpose for using a parabolic in the first place, which is to increase output, maximize contrast and steepen falloff. I also find PLM and Softlighters somewhat problematic in close to subjects, where catchlights are most noticeable, mainly because of their protruding umbrella shaft. Other than that their catchlights appear pretty much as any other bounced umbrella.
Other than a smaller 7mm shaft, what are the new forthcoming PLM's supposed to offer that the current models don't? And how do they differ from a Photek Softlighter II?
I hope a better fitting diffuser is offered for all models - mine just sits on there, kinda sags, and is really an unprofessional piece overall. Makes me sad considering how great the PLM is on it's own.
jeremy: someone from AB support mentioned that they're planning on offering replacement diffusers for people who have had problems with them on V1.
mark: the softlighter has a nice detachable shaft (the non-7mm version) so you can get it up close to someone w/o poking their eye out. I was hoping Paul would adopt this feature in V2
Biggest difference between the softlighter and the PLM is that the softlighter is a silver fabric umbrella with a defusion cover. The PLM is a focused reflector that delivers much more light to the subject.
Without doing a direct comparison, I'd say my Mid-sized PLM deliver about twice the light to the subject compared to my similar sized Softliter.
The defusion panel on the softlighter is saggy its just that with the velcro attachments it doesn't come off the spine tips. The defusion panels for my PLMs seem to fit OK.
jeremy_clay wrote:
I hope a better fitting diffuser is offered for all models - mine just sits on there, kinda sags, and is really an unprofessional piece overall. Makes me sad considering how great the PLM is on it's own.
Even when doing the workaround of twisting the attachment points?
I wish I could give a better answer. I am working with the vendors every day and it's like pulling teeth to get anything done, or any commitments. The whole world is becoming a looney bin.
siniquezu wrote:
there's a second version coming out?
I was ordering just before Thanksgiving and the salesperson offered a deal on blemished 64" models. And they were out of the larger ones. I said I'd wait for the new batch and was told it would be in the first week of December. Looks now like mid-December.
The salesperson then told me that the new ones were of a sturdier construction, maybe other tweaks. I think that's what's meant by ""second version". I didn't gather that there was a design change .
Paul Buff wrote:
I wish I could give a better answer. I am working with the vendors every day and it's like pulling teeth to get anything done, or any commitments. The whole world is becoming a looney bin.
let me know if you need beta testers. I plan to get several of the v2s. Good luck.
Jim Quinn wrote:
reflected-light umbrellas place the lightstand and light head are in front of the light source. I'm wondering whether they would be distracting if they appear in reflections, such as in catchlights in a subject's eyes.
Jim Quinn
Jim,
Here is a high resolution photo I took yesterday with my 42" PLM w/diffuser. You can see the catch light pretty good in the eyes and you can just barely see the light stand in the middle.
J___ wrote:
any updates on when the V2 plm's will be coming out Paul? I've been waiting since last year! haha
I gave up waiting for the V2's and ordered a 64" Silver PLM w/diffuser. I shoot Elinchrom lights, but with the quadra head I can just attach it directly to the shaft, then mount the shaft and light to the stand.
I lucked out and a bunch of them came in a few days after I placed my order - they are even showing as in stock on the web site.
The problem with this design is that the umbrella hub - the part where all the shafts come together and most of the metal is - is directly where the focal point of the parabola is suppose to be. Perhaps if the shafts were made of a transparent plastic? (that would be sweet).
I'd still love to see the V2's, since they would work great with my Rangers, but for a quick, packable large light this seems to work.
Also, my diffuser, at least initally, seems to be fitting better than others are describing. I plan to sew velcro fasteners around the lip to aid in fitting it, but it's fairly tight. I'll keep an eye on it.
Not a problem for the pros who use large Parabolic s from Briese, Bron and Profoto. Many times you will see the photographer, standing in front of the light, in the catch light. Doesn't bother them or their clients enough to 'shop it out.
Here's a photo using a Bron 220, you can easily see the shooter. www.bron.ch/_data/bc_pd_ps_bb_para220_big.jpg
Briese 220 www.brieselichttechnik.de/en/flashlight/products-overview/focus/focus-220.html In this shot of the Dalai Lama you have a different look from what you are used to seeing from a big para. Click on the photo to enlarge.
Makes me sad considering how great the PLM is on it's own.
