Carmen Miranda wrote:
No doubt some are, but what would be the point of buying a parabolic just to shoot through?
Silver is probably more appropriate for it's primary design function as a parabolic reflector.
Good luck.
As far as utilizing the parabolic characteristics, you're right.
But that 86-inch in shoot-through mode provides an excellently broad fill light.
Matt, nice shot.
BTW, if you want to avoid shutter creep and take back some real estate, you might want to drop your shutter speed down a notch. 1/160 or 125th are probably better choices for full frame flash exposure, since max rated sync speed is highly unlikely when using a wireless trigger.
No doubt, but so do my bed sheets. While I've used them from time to time it's not the primary reason I bought them.
But it is the reason I bought an 86-inch white umbrella. It's much easier to erect and pack on location than a bedsheet, and it absorbs much less of the light than a bedsheet. As a fill reflector for location use, it certainly is optimally designed.
You asked what was the point of buying a shoot-through umbrella. I give you da point--so why you gat huhu wit dat, brah?
onetrack wrote:
I was thinking of using a 42" shoot through will spill-kill on the back. Easier than a soft box, can get closer to the subject than flipping the umbrella around away from the subject. Good price too. I think I could use it with the WL lights and speed lights but we'll see.
Scott
Unless back spill and/or lens flare are big concerns I would just use it without the black cover . . . it's a pain to put on and doesn't increase the light to speak of.
Please forgive me if you have addressed this... any idea when the next shipment is due in?
Last question... is there a 7mm shaft option in the works?
I have a group of 20 to shoot in the near future.. .I was thinking a couple of 86 PLMs would take care of the light for me.
Thanks for the help.
Hatch
There are two stages of development going on. Vendors are very slow in converting designs to product.
The PLMs now being made are due to ship to us in about 30 days and will have shorter 8mm shafts and considerable improvements in the front diffusers. Otherwise they will be essentially the same as the current ones.
I've had so much trouble communicating exact frame geometry and requirements I am now in the process of developing our own frame design and having it made by our excellent China metal vendor. This version will be quite different and will be available with 7mm shafts and a host of very tangible improvements I won't go into at this point. This is probably about 90 days out.
Carmen Miranda wrote:
Matt, nice shot.
BTW, if you want to avoid shutter creep and take back some real estate, you might want to drop your shutter speed down a notch. 1/160 or 125th are probably better choices for full frame flash exposure, since max rated sync speed is highly unlikely when using a wireless trigger.
Paul Buff wrote:
Unless back spill and/or lens flare are big concerns I would just use it without the black cover . . . it's a pain to put on and doesn't increase the light to speak of.
Yes, spill the the exact problem when shooting outdoors. Typically, I'm using a long lens and the flash is much closer to the subject than I am.
Actual spill shouldn't be big a problem outdoors. If lens flare is a concern, a lens shield should stop it. One thing to remember, a big PLM source has a very low spot intensity, thus tends mot to cause lens flare like a point-source sun or small flash source.
Paul Buff wrote:
There are two stages of development going on. Vendors are very slow in converting designs to product.
The PLMs now being made are due to ship to us in about 30 days and will have shorter 8mm shafts and considerable improvements in the front diffusers. Otherwise they will be essentially the same as the current ones.
I've had so much trouble communicating exact frame geometry and requirements I am now in the process of developing our own frame design and having it made by our excellent China metal vendor. This version will be quite different and will be available with 7mm shafts and a host of very tangible improvements I won't go into at this point. This is probably about 90 days out....Show more →
Many thanks Paul for taking the time to reply. Looking forward to the 7mm versions.
I like the picture with PLM86 as background. The glowing skin is nice, the shape of light in eyes is correct, and the total picture is more than 1000 words. Well done
Could you share your total setup for this picture.
The main light is a PCB Beauty dish with a grid, about three feet above the model. Fill is provided by a second BD with a sock, set close to camera on the right.
The accent lighting is from two strip boxes on either side of the model set behind him about 30-35 degrees.
All lights are PCB White Lighting (2x X-1600, 2x X-800).
Thanks for sharing the picture and the setup info. If the second BD with a sock was close to camera and catch light is so small the distance must be quite long. What kind of lens you were using? Any postprosessing on the skin - it's so smooth.
Did you shoot the WLX1600 at 400WS? How did you divide the WLX1600 and WLX800 between BD and strip boxes.
Cheers, Ollie
PS. The effects in this picture are very similar than in the crying youngster picture in the PCB commercial in Shutterbug - did you shoot that one?
The New set of advertisement images from Childrens Place Clothing Stores look to have been shot with the use of the PLM. The catch lights from the silver are so distinct...as well as shots with the front diffuser...I could be wrong but I'm almost certain that they were done with the PLM.
Only nit on the Galbraith review was that he's not using the softbox at softbox distances (max of 2x diagonal)...at 25' away, it'll behave mostly like a slightly softer point light source Seems like a review of "how it looks if I used it to light up large sports teams".
Good review overall as long as you kept that in mind while reading it...
