UPDATE: For anyone reading this thread, by far my new favorite Broncolor PARA 133 alternative is the Selens EDGE 120
Yes it took me a long time but finally the comparison is here
This took a lot of effort and time to complete so I would appreciate your support by letting the video finish running even if you only want to grab the files from the description.
Remember that for B&H or other companies to be interested in working with me in the future so I can get more products for tests they need to see some interest in the videos I make. If the videos do bad they will have zero incentive to work with me thus no more videos
I hope that the different sessions are good enough to provide valuable data to help you make an informed decision.
Thanks!
Thank you.
How do you like both?
Do you feel they offer pretty unique looks like the different size Molas based on design or mostly is a difference in the size? Conner999 wrote:
Thanks for the test. We have the 133 and 88 and the test was very informative.
It's primarily size. You get wider coverage, more 'fill' and thus a softer light at the same distance. That said, the 88 is much smaller for smaller spaces and can get a more focused/fresnel look.
The Mola analogy is pretty close.
One big difference is the ease with which you can get the '24 light' ring-light effect when fully defocused with little to no light emitting from the center.
The larger the para, the easier it gets. We use ours with 6" alu baby pin extensions on the rods to allow us to get them as defocused as we want.
We often use a Godox R1200 ring light with the metal/glass shield replaced by a DIY (UV-coated) plexi safety shield to mimic the Bron Ring Light P, but...
...when using Profoto exposed bulb lamps, etc, the smaller para can be tweaked by blocking off the center of the rearward facing lamp to cut any direct light from the center of the para.
We use some carbon fiber discs we had kicking-around attached to inside of the Bowens/Profoto light mounts to block any direct light from the center of the lamp going rearward. Any opaque disc as large, or slightly larger, than the size of the lamp dome works.
Conner999 wrote:
It's primarily size in that you get wider coverage, more 'fill' and thus a softer lighter at the same distance. That said, the 88 is much smaller when open for smaller spaces and can get a more focused/fresnel look.
The Mola aanlogy is pretty close.
One big difference is the easy with which you can get the 24 lights ring-light effect when fully defocused. with little to no light emitting from the center.
The larger the para, the easier it gets. We use ours with alu 6" baby pin extensions on the rod to allow us to get the paras as defocused as we need want.
We often use a Godox R1200 ring light with metal/glass shield removed and replaced with a DIY (UV-coated) plexi clear safety shield to mimic the Bron Ring Light P, but...
...when using Profoto (exposed bulb) lamps, etc, the smaller para can be tweaked by blocking off the center of the rearward facing lamp to limit direct light to just the sides of the para.
We use some carbon fiber discs we had kicking-around attached to inside of the Bowens/Profoto light mounts to block any direct light from the center of the lamp going rearward. Any opaque disc as large or slightly larger than the size of the lamp dome works.
As I said on DPR: Thank you very much for this comparison! Helps a lot!
First I' ll probably get the Godox AD600Pro flash (and maybe the 400 as well). After that I'll most probably order a Parabolix 55. Broncolor Paras look very good, but for the price I think Parabolix reflectors are real winners. In some of your results I even prefer the Parabolix reflectors.
Mujabad123 wrote:
As I said on DPR: Thank you very much for this comparison! Helps a lot!
First I' ll probably get the Godox AD600Pro flash (and maybe the 400 as well). After that I'll most probably order a Parabolix 55. Broncolor Paras look very good, but for the price I think Parabolix reflectors are real winners. In some of your results I even prefer the Parabolix reflectors.
Thanks for the kindness
Do you find liking a specific setting on one vs the other, for example the flooded of the Broncolor vs the Parabolix and so on?
neoshazam wrote:
Still have the 40" Parabolix,
Still considering the Broncolor 133 and 88; only concerns are price, potential lack of use and wind (if 133 outside).
All good points. Specially the price part
I am still trying to convince myself to NOT do it but my heart is set on that 133.
Conner999 wrote:
We use some carbon fiber discs we had kicking-around attached to inside of the Bowens/Profoto light mounts to block any direct light from the center of the lamp going rearward. Any opaque disc as large or slightly larger than the size of the lamp dome works.
Hmm, that's interesting. As an Elinchrom user, I've got a few of their deflectors that block direct light when using a forward facing head in a modifier without diffusion. Seems that could probably do the same thing. Thanks for the tip!
neoshazam wrote:
Still have the 40" Parabolix,
Still considering the Broncolor 133 and 88; only concerns are price, potential lack of use and wind (if 133 outside).
Still debating this?
I am pretty much set on what I want but I got some gear to add (for my Home theater addiction) that is not cheap either lol. I need to focus on the only cheap hobby I got..RGB stuff for my computer as everything else I do is going to make me go broke
GabrielPhoto wrote:
Still debating this?
I am pretty much set on what I want but I got some gear to add (for my Home theater addiction) that is not cheap either lol. I need to focus on the only cheap hobby I got..RGB stuff for my computer as everything else I do is going to make me go broke
I'm interested in the 133 and to a lesser extent the 88 but I don't think I'd be able to use them enough to justify them yet.
In December they seem to get a ~10% discount, so that's when I'll probably seriously consider buying one again.
neoshazam wrote:
I'm interested in the 133 and to a lesser extent the 88 but I don't think I'd be able to use them enough to justify them yet.
In December they seem to get a ~10% discount, so that's when I'll probably seriously consider buying one again.
neoshazam wrote:
I'm interested in the 133 and to a lesser extent the 88 but I don't think I'd be able to use them enough to justify them yet.
In December they seem to get a ~10% discount, so that's when I'll probably seriously consider buying one again.
I bought my Para 133 at the end of 2020 and the discount at that time was close to 30%. Paid about $2600 plus the adapter which was around $300, so about 3K. Worth the wait.
GabrielPhoto wrote:
Thanks for the kindness
Do you find liking a specific setting on one vs the other, for example the flooded of the Broncolor vs the Parabolix and so on?
To answer this question, I would like to see the images you shot and compare them next to each other. Is there a place where I can see those on the internet? If so, where?
Thank you.
