Paul Buff wrote:
It's 8mm OD (.315") with 0.020: walls. That makes the ID .275". 7mm is .2756" so would pretty much have to be hammered or pressed in. It's pretty difficult to fond 7mm steel shaft material in the US.
Paul Buff wrote:
Yes. But around March V2 will have 7mm shaft and a completely different frame design and many improvements.
As an Elinchrom user I'm eagerly looking forward to the new and improved 7mm PLMs. March should be a great month: The end of the miserable winter and the arrival of the new PLMs.
I used the medium PLM for a portrait of my niece when I was in London for Christmas.
Taken with an Elinchrom Quadra with an AB Silver 64” Parabolic Umbrella as modifier at camera left at approximately 1,5 meter from subject. Background lit with a bare SB900. 1,5 CTO gel attached to the Quadra, WB set to tungsten. Triggered with Skyports.
I haven't used the mid size PLM that much, but it provides a nice and crisp light used up close. In many location situations the ceiling is to low to use the larger one.
Happy New year to all on this forum. Wishing you all good light in 2010
So, I recently got a silver 42" PLM and love it. I ordered the diffusion cover and appreciate that PCB acknowledges that the cover might be a little large and suggests twisting alternate grommets when attaching to tighten the cover across the umbrella.
My problem is that, even when I twist EVERY grommet to attach the cover, it is still so loose that it doesn't take much to start it falling off and, in fact, the twisted fabric acts as a spring and forces the grommets off the ribs with as little breeze as someone walking by.
I'm curious if this is typical in your experience (If I requested a replacement would it probably be the same) as I'm considering simply getting some 1/4" grommets and attaching new ones just inside the existing ones in the fabric.
Otherwise I love the modifier and will be using it on a shoot this week, probably with a little help from some gaffer tape.
To follow up, I did exactly as I described. I purchased some grommets and a tool for about 6 dollars at a local fabric/craft store (12 per package, so I had to buy two packages) and put a new grommet just inside of each existing one. If I alternate one original and one new grommet when attaching it to the PLM it fits nice and snug without distorting the umbrella shape.
Paul Buff wrote:
Yes. But around March V2 will have 7mm shaft and a completely different frame design and many improvements.
But will it cost the same? What's the importance of shaft size? Smaller seems like it would be weaker.
mattr762 wrote:
But will it cost the same? What's the importance of shaft size? Smaller seems like it would be weaker.
matt,
7mm shafts fit Elinchrom's central umbrella fitting. ProFoto use 8mm. Smaller shafts in some cases, like the Photek SL II, may be stronger if they are a solid steel rod. I wouldn't be surprised if PLM used the same approach on their 7mm shaft versions. Some of my better standard umbrellas with 7mm shafts seem to have a thicker wall and are actually stiffer than my cheaper 9mm shaft units.
I just ordered the small silver PLM Would've ordered the monster 86 as well, but it's on back order, so I'll get it later. I'll be posting about modifying the shaft to fit elinchrom if anyone is interested (couldn't wait for the V2)
Josh Evilsizor wrote:
I just ordered the small silver PLM Would've ordered the monster 86 as well, but it's on back order, so I'll get it later. I'll be posting about modifying the shaft to fit elinchrom if anyone is interested (couldn't wait for the V2)
I look forward to reading about your experience Josh! The only thing that has stopped me from buying a PLM (or two) is the shaft size. Elinchrom here as well!
