Does anyone here have experience with Mola Demi and the Profoto beauty dish? What's the primary difference? Someone told me the Profoto was more like the Mola Euro... any opinions?

thanks
dan

I wasn't aware of Profoto making one other than their standard 20.5'', except for the ring reflector. Aside from the Mola's design being superior, there's also the huge advantage that you can get PCB's $70 BD grid since it's a standard 22''. Then buy a stack of these, they're the shiznit: (and Profoto charges like $80 for the same thing)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/277158-REG/Photek_MCAR_14_Illuminata_Insert_Adapter_Ring.html
or
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/185326-REG/SP_Systems_SPARPR1_Speed_Ring_for_Profoto.html

Then you can attach those to a standard $12 outer speed ring or the Mola. Back when I bought those, they were backordered for over a month.

I'd also appreciate some specific information from Mola users regarding the various Mola models and what exactly is different about them from a "regular," e.g., Profoto, beauty dish. I currently have the Profoto dish and like it but I've been hearing about Mola for years and am always looking to add to my lighting options. I've read everything on the Mola website and it's incredibly vague about the different effects from their various dishes. And the sample images on Mola's site don't indicate which dish was used to take which photo.

All I can tell from looking at a Mola dish is that (1) you can get a Mola that's larger than a Profoto or other standard beauty dish and (2) the Mola has those undulations/ridges, whereas the Profoto (and other) dishes don't. I assume the advantage of a dish with a physically larger diameter is that it provides the same look as a smaller dish from farther away. In other words, a larger dish, such as the large Molas, is a bigger light source in relation to the subject than a smaller Profoto dish at the same distance. Meaning you can move it farther away and getting softer light than you would if you moved the Profoto dish the same distance.

As to the undulations in the Mola, I have no idea what they do as opposed to the design of a "flat" dish. Increased light output because of the different shape?

I'd really appreciate some specifics about Mola -- more than it's "superior" to or "better" than other dishes. How exactly do Molas differ from other dishes?

Also, as to the big Molas (Mantii and Euro), are there grids that fit them?

If anyone is in San Diego and wants to try the Mola against their Profoto dish on a mannequin or something, just PM me. I've also got the Speedo dish, I wouldn't mind throwing that in to see what twice the money buys you.

Are grids very fragile by nature? I bought the PCB 40 degree grid and I've already broke it like 3 times in a week (though I doubt it really effects the light output as it's just one of the single honeycomb divisions snapping each time).

Grids are available for the full range of the Mola products via the 3rd party - lighttools.
Essentially they are a fabric square grid in various degrees which you mount onto the dish. Albeit not cheap.

http://www.lighttools.com/subgrouping.htm?cat=25598

- advertised for the demi, setti, euro and mantti

plastic grids are very fragile, hence you dont find many made over 22" due to the weakening a larger size has. The centre being the weakest part.

Is there a hire place nearby which you can test out a few different mola's? That'd be the best way to find one that suits your style / needs.

I use the Setti and Im hoping to add a Demi down the track.

One thing I like about the larger dishes (setti + ) vs the profoto (Ive rented a similar broncolour before) is the integrated handle - meaning the flash mounts onto the dish, and not the other way around.

bacilonur wrote:
If anyone is in San Diego and wants to try the Mola against their Profoto dish on a mannequin or something, just PM me. I've also got the Speedo dish, I wouldn't mind throwing that in to see what twice the money buys you.

How do you like the Speedo BD? Are you using it bare or with the diffusion sock or Speedo grid? I've been thinking of getting one and would like to hear your experiences.

jdear wrote:
Grids are available for the full range of the Mola products via the 3rd party - lighttools.
Essentially they are a fabric square grid in various degrees which you mount onto the dish. Albeit not cheap.

http://www.lighttools.com/subgrouping.htm?cat=25598

- advertised for the demi, setti, euro and mantti

plastic grids are very fragile, hence you dont find many made over 22" due to the weakening a larger size has. The centre being the weakest part.

Is there a hire place nearby which you can test out a few different mola's? That'd be the best way to find one that suits your style / needs.

I use the Setti and Im hoping to add a Demi down the track.

One thing I like about the larger dishes (setti + ) vs the profoto (Ive rented a similar broncolour before) is the integrated handle - meaning the flash mounts onto the dish, and not the other way around.

True that they are not cheap, but they will stand up to daily regular use. My Lighttools have been excellent.

I have AB's and Mola's diffusion sock and AB's grid. Don't use the sock much, the AB grid works great. I haven't run a test between the Mola and the Speedo, I'll use one or the other depending on which mount I want. The outside finish is much more refined on the Mola and it's got a properly executed mounting system (as opposed to making three holes and screwing in the Speedo), and the deflector is solid glass instead of thin plastic, but the actual shape and inside finish seem fairly identical.

i definitely like my mola demi with the speedo grid. the mola creates a nice outer feather of light, which is where the parabolic ridges come into play i believe. i love my mola!

The Profoto and Mola Demi are essentially the same size, correct? I'm betting they are very similar in practical use. They're both well regarded dishes.

Nope. If I remember right, the Profoto dish is 20" and the Demi is 22". It may sound insignificant, but beauty dishes are like playing horseshoes: a couple of inches can make a big difference.

low325 wrote:
i definitely like my mola demi with the speedo grid. the mola creates a nice outer feather of light, which is where the parabolic ridges come into play i believe. i love my mola!

Just curious, but how did you mount your Speedo grid to your Demi? I recently picked up the grid, and maybe they changed the design, but the clips that it has on either side both don't attach to the Mola's lip and obstruct it from sitting flush at the face.

No disrespect, and not intended as a challenge, but I think my question remains mostly unanswered:

"I'd really appreciate some specifics about Mola -- more than it's "superior" to or "better" than other dishes. How exactly do Molas differ [in terms of light quality/output] from other dishes?

So far, I've heard (1) "outside finish is much more refined on the Mola and it's got a properly executed mounting system" (that's good to know, but doesn't tell much about how they light a subject differently than a standard dish)

and

(2) "the mola creates a nice outer feather of light, which is where the parabolic ridges come into play i believe." This is interesting and I'd love to see a photo illustrating it if you're willing. Thanks!

I tell everyone NOT to buy a Mola. They are way overpriced and not worth the money.

...That way my images stand out a tad bit more since I'll be the only one using it.

Ha, Brent! Next you're going to have my Demi envious of your Setti.



williamcarter wrote:
"I'd really appreciate some specifics about Mola -- more than it's "superior" to or "better" than other dishes. How exactly do Molas differ [in terms of light quality/output] from other dishes?

The light that a beauty dish is hard to describe in the first place...describing the difference between two of them is even harder. Think about the words people use to describe a white dish - liquid, creamy, punchy, crisp, vivid - and how ephemeral they already are. I don't think you're going to get an objective differential without just trying them both yourself.

I think the Mola is richer and "deeper" than the Profoto, it gives up a little bit of crispness and punch for light that is a little more soulful. It also runs a little warm in color temp, which can be problematic when pairing it with other modifiers.

(2) "the mola creates a nice outer feather of light, which is where the parabolic ridges come into play i believe." This is interesting and I'd love to see a photo illustrating it if you're willing. Thanks!

I don't think that's something you're going to clearly see in a couple of compare-and-contrast sample photos...it's a subtle difference and is more operational and experiential. Are you someone who likes to feather light? When working with just bare Zoom reflectors, do you bring them to the tightest pattern and light off the edges? When using a beauty dish, do you tend to use it directly or use the edge of the pattern? If so, then the Mola may be the better dish for you. Alternately, if you like crisp, bright light the Profoto may be better for you.

I kinda think of the Molas as to beauty dishes what the Elinchrom Deep Octa is to octas: deeper, richer light that can be too much for someone who likes things bright and punchy.

Brent Ward wrote:
They are way overpriced and not worth the money.


+1, everyone knows you can make one even better out of a $5 wok.

I'm actually curious how the Mola compares w/ the Speedo dish (modded to make the center reflector opaque instead of diffuse)...mainly in how close they are. Hope someone takes bacilonur up on his offer

shatterkiss wrote:
low325 wrote:
i definitely like my mola demi with the speedo grid. the mola creates a nice outer feather of light, which is where the parabolic ridges come into play i believe. i love my mola!

Just curious, but how did you mount your Speedo grid to your Demi? I recently picked up the grid, and maybe they changed the design, but the clips that it has on either side both don't attach to the Mola's lip and obstruct it from sitting flush at the face.

when i first got the speedo dish, i too was a bit confused as to how it attaches. i basically had to stretch the clips ever so slightly to snap it into place on the lip and viola! i normally attach one side first, creating a nice snap to it. but from what i can tell, the grid is sitting flat against the dish lip.

btw, love your work.

bacilonur wrote:
If anyone is in San Diego and wants to try the Mola against their Profoto dish on a mannequin or something, just PM me. I've also got the Speedo dish, I wouldn't mind throwing that in to see what twice the money buys you.

sweet! another san diegan with a mola!

Thanks! But I'm still kinda not getting it...the clips should snap around the outside of the lip with the grid frame also overlapping the outside of the lip? As opposed to how most grids sit inside a reflector or beauty dish, fitting into that lip (rather than over it)? I tried fitting it that way, and it seemed like the grid frame would fit but the clips themselves obstructed it, like they wanted to slide inside the dish. If they weren't pop-riveted on I would have assumed they needed to be removed.

Think I need to pop back over to my studio again and spend more than 5 minutes playing with it. Or come over and play with all of yours when I'm in LA next week.

shatterkiss wrote:
Thanks! But I'm still kinda not getting it...the clips should snap around the outside of the lip with the grid frame also overlapping the outside of the lip? As opposed to how most grids sit inside a reflector or beauty dish, fitting into that lip (rather than over it)? I tried fitting it that way, and it seemed like the grid frame would fit but the clips themselves obstructed it, like they wanted to slide inside the dish. If they weren't pop-riveted on I would have assumed they needed to be removed.

Think I need to pop back over to my studio again and spend more than 5 minutes playing with it. Or come over and play with all of yours when I'm in LA next week.

ohhhhhh i see what youre saying...yes my grid's outer edge covers the outside of the mola lip. it does not fit into the dish itself for a flush mount like other grids (im assuming). but yah, i thought the clips were messed up cause i too was under the impression of a flush mount. hmm..i'll have to take a look again if there might be another way to mount it, but im almost certain the way i have it now is correct cause it feels very sturdy once snapped into place.

you going to be in socal for a shoot?? id love to see how to use this bad boy properly!

Interesting. That's not how PCB's grid fits my Mola & Speedo.

Couldn't tell ya specifically...this is the unit:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/133204-REG/Speedotron_14630_22_Honeycomb_Grid_35.html#features

Also sold as part of this kit:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/150390-REG/Speedotron_14241__Beauty_Dish_Grid_Reflector.html

Looking at the latter photo, the Speedo dish has a smaller outer lip where it looks like the clip fits. The standard Mola Demi doesn't have that, just the ~3/4" deep lip that a grid would normally sit inside of. You can see that here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/374094-REG/Mola_MD220_Demi_22_Beauty_Dish_.html

Looks like I might have to either snap the clips off and MacGuyver something else or return it for the PCB grid.

Simon, this shot is more revealing: