I did end up purchasing a Para 88 kit (instead of the 133) on September 28th,2022 (right before the promotion ended). I had to wait about 10 weeks to receive it (~December 10th).
The grid was sent about 4 weeks before I had the para.
Overall the Para 88 is really good.
I bought the Godox-Bowens mount adapter which works great.
The Parabolix universal mount does work as well but if the mount is closer to the reflector it can push into the reflector material which I don't like.
The grid has a nice bag but doesn't seem to mount as affirmatively as I'd hope.
As the post above mentions the biggest shock to me is the focusing tube is ~10" shorter than the 40" Parabolix setup I have so the Para 88 works well for me in my small apartment because its saving 5-6" on the reflector vs the Parabolix and 10" on the focusing tube.
I've been sick for over a week but I did at least get to quickly shoot ~81 frames of my sister before she went out for New Year's Eve. I was using my Xplor 1200 pro with the parabolix quadboom mini.
Probably the highest compliment for the para is my sister was able to use some photo app or editor to do a real good job editing a jpeg I sent for review. The photo below is a different one from that same set.
So....I finally, finally ....yes finally did it...ordered a Parabolix 45 package with Universal adapter.
Yes, that took a (very) long time. Now I have to wait, and wait...for probably a few weeks. Looking forward to using this gear with my Godox AD400Pro!
I'll probably also buy a 30x120 stripbox for my Godox AD300Pro (maybe a boom stand...not sure yet). I think, this could be "the best" combination when working with only 2 lights.
Ofcourse open to other ideas.
Luckily I can buy a 30x120 soft box not too far from where I live (no waiting for import from USA).
By the way....I see, that by posting now, I pushed this thread all the way up to page one. That's a good thing (for me that' s the place where it belongs anyway)!
Review here from GabrielPhoto /Luiz, was a tremendous help for me! Also because I could download all his images and compare accurately. Very thorough comparison.
Thank you!
Mujabad123 wrote:
By the way....I see, that by posting now, I pushed this thread all the way up to page one. That's a good thing (for me that' s the place where it belongs anyway)!
Review here from GabrielPhoto /Luiz, was a tremendous help for me! Also because I could download all his images and compare accurately. Very thorough comparison.
Thank you!
Glad you decided to give it a shot. Please post some images when you get it
hiepphotog wrote:
How often do you take the Parabolix on location? I have the old version that is a pain to set up, but the new one seems to be easier to deploy.
When I brought my Parabolix to rental studios, I would usually put it into a dedicated roller case (an SKB deluxe travel case) with the focusing rod and strobe adapters. In terms of stands, they should only go on a steel tripod type light stand.
Personally I wouldn't use it outside on location because it's just a lot of crap to carry, and mixed with other natural sources a big soft silver umbrella would probably be hard to distinguish from the parabolix. If I'm bringing it to a studio, I'd rather find a studio with a real briese or bron para if a client is paying for the rentals, but if it's going on my bag hell no haha.
I am pretty sure these were taken with the 35D (from a national jewelry campaign), plus 3-4 other modifiers. It's nice light, but you could totally do this with a mix of softboxes, brolies and such.
sungphoto wrote:
I am pretty sure these were taken with the 35D (from a national jewelry campaign), plus 3-4 other modifiers. It's nice light, but you could totally do this with a mix of softboxes, brolies and such.
In my opinion, a parabolic's significant strengths lie in its capacity to create a diverse range of looks and the combination of both hard and diffused looks. When used without any diffusion, it doesn't function as a soft light source. The spot setting efficiently throws light with an expected hardness. On the other hand, even when flooded, the transition of shadows is not as gradual as a softbox of comparable size. Additionally, I've observed its ability to highlight sparkly surfaces effectively. While it might be possible to achieve a similar effect by stacking various modifiers, none of the modifiers I possess can replicate the distinct qualities of the parabolic, especially in its flooded or near-flooded setting. However, to maximize this effect, the parabolic needs to be positioned at a certain distance. There were instances when I placed my Godox 158 too close to the subject (smaller than the reflector's diameter), resulting in a softened light and losing much of the hard/soft look. I imagine too far out would render it more like a regular softbox, though I have not tried myself.
hiepphotog wrote:
In my opinion, a parabolic's significant strengths lie in its capacity to create a diverse range of looks and the combination of both hard and diffused looks. When used without any diffusion, it doesn't function as a soft light source. The spot setting efficiently throws light with an expected hardness. On the other hand, even when flooded, the transition of shadows is not as gradual as a softbox of comparable size. Additionally, I've observed its ability to highlight sparkly surfaces effectively. While it might be possible to achieve a similar effect by stacking various modifiers, none of the modifiers I possess can replicate the distinct qualities of the parabolic, especially in its flooded or near-flooded setting. However, to maximize this effect, the parabolic needs to be positioned at a certain distance. There were instances when I placed my Godox 158 too close to the subject (smaller than the reflector's diameter), resulting in a softened light and losing much of the hard/soft look. I imagine too far out would render it more like a regular softbox, though I have not tried myself....Show more →
That’s totally what they are made for. I agree on the versatility but that trademark hard/soft mix doesn’t work for everyone’s skin unfortunately - it can be unforgiving on less than perfect or oily skin.
I don’t necessarily want a light modifier to have that specific para look, and it can get a little stale when overused (which is easy to do with them). They also don’t feather very well. In a funny way they end up being less useful in practice than you would think, which is why I got rid of mine
I didn' t try my Parabolix 45 yet (waiting for a solid stand), but I guess by their nature, feathering is different. I wonder how that works best with such a parabolic reflector. I'll see when I have all my gear in the house.
sungphoto wrote:
That’s totally what they are made for. I agree on the versatility but that trademark hard/soft mix doesn’t work for everyone’s skin unfortunately - it can be unforgiving on less than perfect or oily skin.
I don’t necessarily want a light modifier to have that specific para look, and it can get a little stale when overused (which is easy to do with them). They also don’t feather very well. In a funny way they end up being less useful in practice than you would think, which is why I got rid of mine
All valid points, though I personally love the look. My only major issue is that it's a bit cumbersome, which makes it challenging to keep up with my constantly on-the-go kids, even with a roller stand. Still, the Paras work wonders with both kids and most adults in my family.
Appreciate Sung's comments about not wanting to be boxed in by a look. Some people lean *heavily* on a style, going so far as to attach much or all of their creative identity to a specific modifier. It all reeks of an amateur mindset.
Appreciate Sung's comments about not wanting to be boxed in by a look. Some people lean *heavily* on a style, going so far as to attach much or all of their creative identity to a specific modifier. It all reeks of an amateur mindset.
Well, I (very) highly doubt this.
Don't see substantial differences (certainly not enough) in the images posted there.
Beside that...a Chinese commercial for (Chinese) Selens "parabolic" reflectors??
That' s the source to trust?
"From various sources in China".....sorry but this is ridiculous.
You're not serious, right? A joke, I hope?
A more objective and comparative test could convince me....a commercial? No way.
I rather trust "GabrielPhoto" and his comparison of parabolic reflectors and there I see that Parabolix comes really close to the Broncolor Paras.
And then there isn't one parabolic look or style :-). Can be used in combination with other modifiers, if you want to. I consider a parabolic reflector as multiple lightshapers in one.
What's your personal experience with parabolic reflectors? Happy to learn!
My personal experience with all sorts of lighting is ~15 years working in the commercial & editorial photo world in NYC. I’ve handled a bunch of parabolic mods, including Broncolor & Briese (and even the legendary B2Pro - #iykyk .
Commercial or not, and putting aside whatever shade you’re trying to create repeatedly using Chinese as a pejorative… the results speak for themselves. Anyone who knows what they’re looking at can see the quality of light shared in the video. If it’s not for you, I’m not offended… but if we’re chatting about “the parabolic look”, Selens seems to deliver.
On this whole idea that a parabolic “doesn’t have a look” - sure, you can make it emulate a very overpriced octa, or a very overpriced ringflash-ish… but if you’re looking to have it behave in a way that no other single modifier can, that’s “the parabolic look.”
Mujabad123 wrote:
Well, I (very) highly doubt this.
Don't see substantial differences (certainly not enough) in the images posted there.
Beside that...a Chinese commercial for (Chinese) Selens "parabolic" reflectors??
That' s the source to trust?
"From various sources in China".....sorry but this is ridiculous.
You're not serious, right? A joke, I hope?
A more objective and comparative test could convince me....a commercial? No way.
I rather trust "GabrielPhoto" and his comparison of parabolic reflectors and there I see that Parabolix comes really close to the Broncolor Paras.
And then there isn't one parabolic look or style :-). Can be used in combination with other modifiers, if you want to. I consider a parabolic reflector as multiple lightshapers in one.
What's your personal experience with parabolic reflectors? Happy to learn!
Jim contributes a ton of knowledge on this forum, is published in every magazine that anyone on this forum would die to be on, has an incredibly well developed eye and is probably one of the best lighting techs I've ever worked with. He is a legit full time photographer in one of the most competitive photo markets in the country, and I've personally hired him on huge multi-country projects. I would trust Jim's word over almost anyone else on this forum, so I would perhaps be a little more respectful. If you want people to treat you with respect, do the same to others.
No offense to the hobbyists on this forum, but there is a HUGE difference doing this for a living and testing all of the modifiers out in the real world with experienced clients with trained eyes.
hiepphotog wrote:
How often do you take the Parabolix on location? I have the old version that is a pain to set up, but the new one seems to be easier to deploy.
How is the old version? I take mine very often really but depends on the location and look of course.
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