beauty dish - metal vs foldable
p.1 #1beauty dish - metal vs foldable
Always been curious about beauty dish for portraits, any experience with foldable ones vs the classic metal ones?
Thank you
Thank you
Jul 11, 2026 at 09:48 AM
p.1 #2beauty dish - metal vs foldable
Depends on the look you want. The harder look of the beauty dish works well in sun, like at the beach. I use them on a limited basis for portraits since they produce a harder light, unless that’s the look I’m going for.
Jul 12, 2026 at 05:42 AM
p.1 #3beauty dish - metal vs foldable
I have both, but only rarely use them. In most cases I haven't cared for the light that they produce. The foldable one that I have is an Anker, and it can be used with or without the center reflector, so works as a folding soft box too, and this is how it is more often used. Because it folds it tends to get used if shooting out of the studio. In the studio I think I have only used it twice as a beauty dish, other than the initial test shots. I just don't care for the results that I get from beauty dishes.
Whenever something new arrives in my studio, I run tests using it. Not to the point of collecting data, but just to get a feel for how it works and what works best with it.
As a soft box, the Anker beauty dish works about the same as other similar sized soft boxes when the disk is removed. As a beauty dish, it is larger than my 24" metal Godox version, so the light from it is a bit larger at the same distance, but as a beauty dish I still don't care for the resulting light from it nor from the 24" metal version. A beauty dish is supposed to be used high and close to the subject, where the slight shadow of the center disk enhances the look, but I have never cared for the result that I see and I prefer just using octagonal soft boxes for my portrait shoots, since I don't like the catchlights in their eyes when using rectangular, or square soft boxes either. We photographers all have our styles and this isn't mine.
Charley
Whenever something new arrives in my studio, I run tests using it. Not to the point of collecting data, but just to get a feel for how it works and what works best with it.
As a soft box, the Anker beauty dish works about the same as other similar sized soft boxes when the disk is removed. As a beauty dish, it is larger than my 24" metal Godox version, so the light from it is a bit larger at the same distance, but as a beauty dish I still don't care for the resulting light from it nor from the 24" metal version. A beauty dish is supposed to be used high and close to the subject, where the slight shadow of the center disk enhances the look, but I have never cared for the result that I see and I prefer just using octagonal soft boxes for my portrait shoots, since I don't like the catchlights in their eyes when using rectangular, or square soft boxes either. We photographers all have our styles and this isn't mine.
Charley
Jul 12, 2026 at 06:19 AM
p.1 #4beauty dish - metal vs foldable
I am curious as I don't have a studio and wondering if a beauty dish, either metal or folding, would better mix with ambient light when shot in harsh sun days where a foldable would sure be more portable than a metal one.
Jul 12, 2026 at 06:31 AM
p.1 #5beauty dish - metal vs foldable
Classic metal benefits = constant shape, solid plastic grids are great.
Classic metal downsides = transporting/storage safe keeping can be tougher due to shape, depending on the size/weight might test your mount or lightstand.
I've used Hensel and Fotodiox versions only I think. I'm rough on my stuff and unfortunately put dings and dents in them, the Hensel held up a long time basically long enough for me to switch mounts/lights.
I shot beach photos with the Hensel 22" white beauty dish (with grid on and off) and also 28" Fotodiox (usually grid off). I shot some indoor stuff with the 28" with grid off and on in a studio meet and greet. I've also got/used 18" Fotodiox beauty dishes that I usually use with the grid and does a decent job with video too.
If having to battle with the sun I'd recommend silver, otherwise white.
I don't think I've used any of the "foldable" beauty dishes, I look at them more as soft boxes.
Classic metal downsides = transporting/storage safe keeping can be tougher due to shape, depending on the size/weight might test your mount or lightstand.
I've used Hensel and Fotodiox versions only I think. I'm rough on my stuff and unfortunately put dings and dents in them, the Hensel held up a long time basically long enough for me to switch mounts/lights.
I shot beach photos with the Hensel 22" white beauty dish (with grid on and off) and also 28" Fotodiox (usually grid off). I shot some indoor stuff with the 28" with grid off and on in a studio meet and greet. I've also got/used 18" Fotodiox beauty dishes that I usually use with the grid and does a decent job with video too.
If having to battle with the sun I'd recommend silver, otherwise white.
I don't think I've used any of the "foldable" beauty dishes, I look at them more as soft boxes.
Jul 12, 2026 at 10:31 AM
p.1 #6beauty dish - metal vs foldable
GiovanniAprea wrote:
I am curious as I don't have a studio and wondering if a beauty dish, either metal or folding, would better mix with ambient light when shot in harsh sun days where a foldable would sure be more portable than a metal one.
To me the metal creates less wind friction because it’s more streamlined. A fabric beautydish or softbox of the same size is lighter and seems to require more sandbags. They mix well with the harder sunlight.
I am curious as I don't have a studio and wondering if a beauty dish, either metal or folding, would better mix with ambient light when shot in harsh sun days where a foldable would sure be more portable than a metal one.
To me the metal creates less wind friction because it’s more streamlined. A fabric beautydish or softbox of the same size is lighter and seems to require more sandbags. They mix well with the harder sunlight.
Jul 13, 2026 at 06:27 AM
p.1 #7beauty dish - metal vs foldable
Depends on what kind of quality of light you want. Either would “work” in the situation you’ve described, they’d just be different.
I think if you’re not sure what the difference is, I’d recommend a fabric one, none of which will produce the specific quality of light a metal beauty dish will, sans a fabric sock on the front (the fabric sock basically just turns it into a small softbox). Fabric “beauty dishes” generally produce a softbox quality of light, especially with front diffusion. One of the better fabric “beauty dish“ mods I’ve used is the Westcott one, and with the center deflector plate and no front diffusion, it does produce a nice quality of light but it still won’t reproduce what a Profoto softlighter for example will.
One more thing about metal beauty dishes is that they are best used close, within around 3-5 ft from the subject, with the center of the modifier pointed at the face. If you try to “feather” a metal beauty dish ie not point the axis of the dish at the face, the hard light of the bare strobe can peek past the deflector plate and hit your subject in a way that you may not like. They produce beautiful light when used properly with a nice blend of hard and soft light, but they can be tricky to use on location. They’re fun to use though, and if you’re curious I’d just get both and try them out
I think if you’re not sure what the difference is, I’d recommend a fabric one, none of which will produce the specific quality of light a metal beauty dish will, sans a fabric sock on the front (the fabric sock basically just turns it into a small softbox). Fabric “beauty dishes” generally produce a softbox quality of light, especially with front diffusion. One of the better fabric “beauty dish“ mods I’ve used is the Westcott one, and with the center deflector plate and no front diffusion, it does produce a nice quality of light but it still won’t reproduce what a Profoto softlighter for example will.
One more thing about metal beauty dishes is that they are best used close, within around 3-5 ft from the subject, with the center of the modifier pointed at the face. If you try to “feather” a metal beauty dish ie not point the axis of the dish at the face, the hard light of the bare strobe can peek past the deflector plate and hit your subject in a way that you may not like. They produce beautiful light when used properly with a nice blend of hard and soft light, but they can be tricky to use on location. They’re fun to use though, and if you’re curious I’d just get both and try them out
Jul 13, 2026 at 07:45 PM
p.1 #8beauty dish - metal vs foldable
Hello,
back on beauty dish, I would eventually go for the real metal thing would I get one, now, color be white, should I ever use it outside it would do it no matter white or silver, size wise, for portrait what would you get and which brand would you recommend, is there that much of a difference between the cheaper more affordable brands like Godox or Neweer and other more expensive ones (which by instance I don't know as I never really made a search for any)?
Thank you
back on beauty dish, I would eventually go for the real metal thing would I get one, now, color be white, should I ever use it outside it would do it no matter white or silver, size wise, for portrait what would you get and which brand would you recommend, is there that much of a difference between the cheaper more affordable brands like Godox or Neweer and other more expensive ones (which by instance I don't know as I never really made a search for any)?
Thank you
Sep 03, 2026 at 03:26 AM
p.1 #9beauty dish - metal vs foldable
Could a reflector be sufficient?
https://www.manfrotto.com/global-en/stories/photography-lighting-reflectors/
https://www.manfrotto.com/global-en/stories/photography-lighting-reflectors/
Sep 03, 2026 at 03:36 AM
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p.1 #10beauty dish - metal vs foldable
The gold standard for BD's is Mola so have a look at their site and check out how they design them. Of note, the centre is diffusion and not a deflector as are virtually all other brands. That tells you something on why Mola designed it that way and the only other BD that essentially is a Mola 22 BD is the Speedotron BD. For less money and replacing the speed ring mount to the one you need for your strobes is a good option. BTW, they only come in white.
Sep 03, 2026 at 12:57 PM
p.1 #11beauty dish - metal vs foldable
Wow, those things are really expensive!
Sep 04, 2026 at 11:53 PM
p.1 #12beauty dish - metal vs foldable
GiovanniAprea wrote:
Hello,
back on beauty dish, I would eventually go for the real metal thing would I get one, now, color be white, should I ever use it outside it would do it no matter white or silver, size wise, for portrait what would you get and which brand would you recommend, is there that much of a difference between the cheaper more affordable brands like Godox or Neweer and other more expensive ones (which by instance I don't know as I never really made a search for any)?
Thank you
If you're shopping for a white interior one, most any will do, especially if you're mainly going to use it with the front diffusion on it, which essentially just turns them into a small softbox. I think I posted this earlier, but the Westcott white interior beauty dish is a solid choice for white interior. The design isn't super durable if you're throwing it into a roller bag, so I've had to replace them every 4-5 years from ribs breaking, but they produce great light. The Adorama house brand Glow 25” beauty dish is a similar design and probably about as good, but I’ve never used it but the price is low at $69.
If it's silver interior, there is definitely a difference between various manufacturers. A lot of the cheap generic "silver" interior BDs are just painted with a shiny silver paint, and can have a color cast, whereas the better quality ones generally have machined and polished metal interiors that have a specific pop when used without diffusion.
Hello,
back on beauty dish, I would eventually go for the real metal thing would I get one, now, color be white, should I ever use it outside it would do it no matter white or silver, size wise, for portrait what would you get and which brand would you recommend, is there that much of a difference between the cheaper more affordable brands like Godox or Neweer and other more expensive ones (which by instance I don't know as I never really made a search for any)?
Thank you
If you're shopping for a white interior one, most any will do, especially if you're mainly going to use it with the front diffusion on it, which essentially just turns them into a small softbox. I think I posted this earlier, but the Westcott white interior beauty dish is a solid choice for white interior. The design isn't super durable if you're throwing it into a roller bag, so I've had to replace them every 4-5 years from ribs breaking, but they produce great light. The Adorama house brand Glow 25” beauty dish is a similar design and probably about as good, but I’ve never used it but the price is low at $69.
If it's silver interior, there is definitely a difference between various manufacturers. A lot of the cheap generic "silver" interior BDs are just painted with a shiny silver paint, and can have a color cast, whereas the better quality ones generally have machined and polished metal interiors that have a specific pop when used without diffusion.
Sep 10, 2026 at 10:23 PM
p.1 #13beauty dish - metal vs foldable
Ciao,
Yes, I'd try a white one, I understand the machining of the silver ones and, to begin with, I don't feel like spending a ton of money onto something I still don't know how useful could eventually be. A BD with a grid and/or a sock should be a good compromise for exteriors.
Grazie
Yes, I'd try a white one, I understand the machining of the silver ones and, to begin with, I don't feel like spending a ton of money onto something I still don't know how useful could eventually be. A BD with a grid and/or a sock should be a good compromise for exteriors.
Grazie
Sep 11, 2026 at 09:27 AM
p.1 #14beauty dish - metal vs foldable
Been using Elinchrom BD for many years. 17” and 27”. A very very standard BD but worked well indoors and out. The 17” came with a case and grid. the larger one I had to McGyver something to help transport it safely.
I haven’t used them for years now. I found I did so much work with them that I wanted to improve on the results. That’s another topic by itself. But have been super happy with the Elinchrom BDs. Very affordable and produced pretty good results. Mola - stated earlier is the gold standard.
I haven’t used them for years now. I found I did so much work with them that I wanted to improve on the results. That’s another topic by itself. But have been super happy with the Elinchrom BDs. Very affordable and produced pretty good results. Mola - stated earlier is the gold standard.
Oct 06, 2026 at 09:21 PM
p.1 #15beauty dish - metal vs foldable
GiovanniAprea wrote:
Wow, those things are really expensive!
I have been using my Mola Setti (28") for about 10 years. While I don't think you necessarily _need_ a Mola, their grids will be much tighter than a foldable dish. Also, if you want directional but softer lighting, you can "sock" a beauty dish. That's one of my favorite ways to use mine. Yes, it's expensive, yes it can be cumbersome to bring with you, but it can create a very unique look.
Wow, those things are really expensive!
I have been using my Mola Setti (28") for about 10 years. While I don't think you necessarily _need_ a Mola, their grids will be much tighter than a foldable dish. Also, if you want directional but softer lighting, you can "sock" a beauty dish. That's one of my favorite ways to use mine. Yes, it's expensive, yes it can be cumbersome to bring with you, but it can create a very unique look.
Oct 10, 2026 at 08:11 PM
p.1 #16beauty dish - metal vs foldable
Wow, checked the price on that Mola BD and I was astonished, I understand that as a professional with a money return buy once and that's it but that won't be justified for me as I just want to experiment and as much as I understand I have to go metal BD and nothing foldable which won't be a BD I can't take such an investment just to find out if a BD would do for my curiosity but thank you so much for sharing your experience, actually if you have any sample either yours or somebody else about the results from such a modifier I'd really appreciate you sharing
Grazie
Giovanni
Grazie
Giovanni
Oct 11, 2026 at 01:39 AM
p.1 #17beauty dish - metal vs foldable
GiovanniAprea wrote:
... actually if you have any sample either yours or somebody else about the results from such a modifier I'd really appreciate you sharing
The Profoto metal beauty dish is designed for their bare-bulb strobes and I bought one as the first modifer for my studio era. Being rigid and 21in diameter, there are transportation issues and, yes, a monetary cost. I also use bounce, diffusion, and other rigid Profoto dishes for my lighting needs, but the BD illumination pool is large and smooth. You can also generate a very nice catchlight:
Most BD ship with an opaque deflector disc, but I replaced that on Day 1 with the opal glass.
Also good for tabletop.
... actually if you have any sample either yours or somebody else about the results from such a modifier I'd really appreciate you sharing
The Profoto metal beauty dish is designed for their bare-bulb strobes and I bought one as the first modifer for my studio era. Being rigid and 21in diameter, there are transportation issues and, yes, a monetary cost. I also use bounce, diffusion, and other rigid Profoto dishes for my lighting needs, but the BD illumination pool is large and smooth. You can also generate a very nice catchlight:
Most BD ship with an opaque deflector disc, but I replaced that on Day 1 with the opal glass.
Also good for tabletop.
Oct 12, 2026 at 11:03 AM