p.1 #1 · light modifiers comparison pics *lots of pics*
EDIT: some of the pics aren't loading and I'm not sure why but the majority of them loaded fine so I hope they're helpful.
The following is a combination of too much time on my hands and boredom.
I've always wanted to see how my different light modifiers compare to each other, specifically my speedlight modifiers. I didn't bother to test my studio lights and their modifiers because I pretty much know what the results look like. However, when using speedlights, I tend to vary between using an umbrella, small Photoflex softbox, homemade beauty dish and bare flash. This is a comparison of those modifiers, all using a Sunpack 383 as the light source.
But just to make things interesting, I threw in a video light to compare with the above.
I apologize in advance for the model. I realize that he's an extremely handsome gentleman, and his stellar good looks may distract some of the females on this board, but I'm sure you'll get over it. Besides....he works for beer so the price was right.
All of the pics are straight out of my 5D and only resized and sharpened for web. I tried to keep the exposures about the same, but since different modifiers eat up different amounts of light, the exposures may vary a little. WB was set to auto.
This first series has the lights placed about 14' from the subject.
Bare flash
homemade beauty dish with a 16" diameter
photoflex 15"x18" softbox
white umbrella in shoot thru mode
same umbrella reversed
video light
Now here's where the real results come in. I moved the light to approximately 3' away and repeated the shots. I didn't bother to reshoot the bare strobe shot as I would rarely use it that close and un-modified.
Beauty dish from 3' away
Photoflex softbox from 3' away
Shoot thru umbrella from 3' away
umbrella reversed from 3' away
video light from 3' away
I also thought it would be interesting to see the light pattern so I set the light up about 3' from my back drop and underexposed the light a few f/stops.
beauty dish. Note the center "dead" spot
softbox
umbrella. I forgot to take a pic of it in shoot thru mode.
video light
The differences are subtle but each modifier has it's own unique "look". The farther away you place the lights from the subject, the less difference you see.
p.1 #2 · light modifiers comparison pics *lots of pics*
Thank you, Jim, that was an illuminating post. I like the character of SB up close. Your homemade BD is quite spiffy, too, and has the portability advantage. I'll conduct a similar test of some Profoto modifiers soon.
p.1 #4 · light modifiers comparison pics *lots of pics*
joe chance wrote:
Enjoyed your post - esp. since I just got a new flash 580EX II today . But one suggestion that would help here.
Next time get a better model.
I agree. This guy was a real di*k to work with. First he demanded imported beer and little tiny sandwiches to snack on, then he wanted his own trailer and massuse and if that isn't enough, he also insisted on being called "Mr. stud".
