1. The DO is very nice, flexible, more directional than normal octa when just using inner diffuser or with just one of the Eli deflectors, but when open, it\'s a LONG WIDE tube - moving it thru doorways, etc when open is \"interesting\".
2. Rectangular or square catch lights can look like a window reflection, an octagonal one not so much. Some folks hate anything but round(ish) catch lights, but sometimes square/rect is nice.
3. I like Rotalux units, but if I were to do over (which I may be doing), I would buy 3rd party such as Chimera, Photoflex, Creative Light (aka Profoto), etc. The Rota units open and close easily and are reasonably priced, but if you want grids - forget it. I never thought grids were that big a deal or worth the silly $$ they go for -- until I tried one with my Mola Demi. Instant hook. The small Rotalux is the only one with a grid, but the grid and front diffuser are one unit. Am actually looking at moving to Profoto and while (if I do so) I\'ll will get a Profot-Eli adapter, will gradually many of mine with grid-enabled units.
4. Rota boxes do not normally have a recessed front lip (thus the challenge mounting a grid) - thus losing some spill control vs a recessed-front units. You can get a lip/hood for many of them, but like the grid, the diffuser and lip are one unit. Most 3rd party boxes are recessed and Creative light (made by/for Profoto) offer both models in most sizes - but they never seem to be in stock (yet) at places like B&H. Lips allow some spill control and ability to easily attach a grid with velcro. Flush front gives more spill - and easy ability to stack to boxes to make one larger source.
The Rotalux units are nice boxes, but they, like most, have some pluses and minuses. Before making a decision I\'d look at ALL the options out there and try and think a couple of steps ahead of where you\'d want your lighting to be in X months/years. No harm in mixing and matching across manufacturers - and thus keeping your options open.
While you\'ll be limited as CM said in ability to flex the 53\" Octa with lower celings (mine are 20+ feet), it is a NICE modifier and also makes a nice white background for head & shoulders shots.
Nov 10, 2009 at 08:21 AM
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