Csae wrote:
^ It looks as though brent has it on the cagering, can the PLM be defocused/focused even while using the cage?
Yes . . .as designed, but not by using Tetrode's methods. I really think when customers start using it all this stuff about wing nuts and modifications will become a mute point.
The way Brent has it mounted (properly - but out too far) you just loosen the adjustment knob to slide it in or out to focus, or to pull the opened PLM off the speedring/shaft entirely. To collapse the PLM you loosen the knob a few more turns and pull it closed. No need to take the speedring off the shaft or use screwdrivers or wing nuts, etc. You only need to do this to change from speedring mount to 7mm off-center mount . . . a 30 second task.
sorry guys, it was more of a "look what i got" vs "this is how its done properly" shot. Thanks for the heads up though. I ordered mine pretty far back, i think december-ish?
Paul - what are the key differences between version 1 and version 2? Both versions look to be about the same, so I imagine that are small subtleties that affect its performance.
s14brent wrote:
sorry guys, it was more of a "look what i got" vs "this is how its done properly" shot. Thanks for the heads up though. I ordered mine pretty far back, i think december-ish?
Jeeze, Brent. I ordered 64" and 86" PLMs (V1) along with my ABMax pre-order back in June of '09. I asked to have the PLMs shipped along with the two lights. ABMax begat Einstein and Einstein didn't ship until April of this year. By the time my Einsteins shipped, the V1 PLMs were long gone. I'm still waiting for the big silver PLMs.
Paul Buff wrote:
PLMV2 is designed with extreme care and testing to function as designed using a true bare bulb light source such as all Buff lights, with the flash tube parallel with the umbrella outer perimeter for studio use in the 5' to 15' range. For long distance lighting focus is optimal with the flash tube in 1" to 2" from the fabric perimeter. This provides maximum output, minimum spill light and even light coming from all surfaces of the fabric. This is extremely important with the silver fabrics. From this starting point the PLM can be defocused by moving in or out an inch or two to widen the pattern....Show more →
Using an Elinchrom 600RX and the PLM cage, there is a maximum usable in/out adjustment range of approximately 1-1/4" with the 51" PLM V2. With the Elinchrom's flashtube positioned as recommended by you above, 1-1/4" of inward movement of the light relative to the PLM canopy is possible as shown in the following photos:
Assuming your above-stated guideline holds true for the 51" white PLM, the 1-1/4" adjustment range, while limited, might prove sufficient. Testing will show whether this small amount of travel has a perceptible effect on throw and quality.
Tetrode: You will get much better results if you take off the umbrella reflector and move the light unit 6-8" further into the PLM. It won't make much difference on the white PLM, but is very important to get maximum effectiveness fro the silver.
Paul, I explicitly wrote "I'm not recommending this configuration, just sharing it as a point of interest." I have no intention of using the PLM/Elinchrom combo in the manner pictured. However I will point out that abandoning the cage and using a 7mm shaft allows the flashtube to be positioned much closer to the PLM canopy than is otherwise possible.
My replacement PLM was delivered this morning. The thumbscrew on this one sits square to the PLM's shaft.
You're back to addressing me as "Tetrode". Does that mean we're no longer friends?
Paul, You gotta know there are many on this forum that would rather redesign every item they own rather than go out and shoot something. Not a bad thing, just give up on trying to talk them into not using DIY methods of re-engineering your products. They live for this ...
And i definitely plan to DIY mod it to my own needs just as well, its part of the fun
Well, my order was placed, i'll let you guys know my own experiences when i get them sometime next year lol.
I ordered a 86'' white, with front kill spill, black outer cover, and front diffusion. I will mostly be using it with the black outer cover and front diffusion, but i would like to try it as a fill via its chinese lantern mode.
I also ordered a 64 white, with kill spill that i plan on using in chinese mode again mostly for outdoors, in theory this gives me a great efficient shoot through umbrella with less wind drag.
"Paul, You gotta know there are many on this forum that would rather redesign every item they own rather than go out and shoot something. Not a bad thing, just give up on trying to talk them into not using DIY methods of re-engineering your products. They live for this ... "
well said and well put.
"To collapse the PLM you loosen the knob a few more turns and pull it closed. No need to take the speedring off the shaft or use screwdrivers or wing nuts, etc. "
I think that was part of the confusion here on the forum was whether the cage assembly had to be removed when the plm was closed. again, don't have the physical product in hand and was trying to guess how it all worked through pictures on the internet.
this is still an addicting thread. Moreso than the diy pelican battery pack.
I'm trying to maximize my money and options with regards to what combination of PLM's to get. Right now I have two 42" or whatever the last version was. Now that the V2's will be in stock soon I'm trying to maximize my options while making my money extend. For full body shots, a combination of sports action shots and fashion posed shots (sitting, laying down) how more beneficial would the 86" be compared to the 64"? As far as softness goes, how does a white diffuse on a silver compare to a white bounce with black back kill?
I had posted about this earlier on PCB's tech forum but thought I'd mention it here as well: Bowens mount shooters need not feel left out of the PLM V2 party. The V2 "cage" is *very* easily adapted to a Bowens mount:
Dave, you done good. I guess I ought to build these when I get a little design time. But I'll have to do it five or six times to make everyone happy. Can you send me an extra few hours a day?
Paul Buff wrote:
Dave, you done good. I guess I ought to build these when I get a little design time. But I'll have to do it five or six times to make everyone happy. Can you send me an extra few hours a day?
Thank you Mr. B. I think there are boatloads of Bowens mount users who would be tickled pink if you offered a PLM cage for them.
tetrode wrote:
Thank you Mr. B. I think there are boatloads of Bowens mount users who would be tickled pink if you offered a PLM cage for them.
Dave F.
Dave, I agree. I am scrambling for every minute of my waking hours. I'll probably tackle this speedring as soon as I get Einstein firmly on track (we start building late next week), and PLM. My work on these projects is basically complete, as is my very intense work on Vagabond Mini Lithium. I worked all day Sat and Sunday and today, as usual, and hiring the really innovative and competent tech help I need has proven futile. But I keep my fingers crossed.
The do it your self approach should also be easy to make work for my Profoto lights. There is a similar looking adapter plate that has the Profoto clamp, and a flat flange of metal similar to that Bowens adapter. The Profoto mount is also able to be positioned for focus, so should allow good positioning of the light source in the PLM. I guess I should look in to PLM's fairly soon.
Roland W wrote:
The do it your self approach should also be easy to make work for my Profoto lights. There is a similar looking adapter plate that has the Profoto clamp, and a flat flange of metal similar to that Bowens adapter.
I was thinking about doing the same for my Profoto lights. I actually considered the Elinchrom to Profoto adapter.
Could you post a link to the adapter (Speedring insert)?
chibacityfunk wrote:
Could you post a link to the adapter (Speedring insert)?
I'm not Roland but I thought I'd mention that Photek makes a very inexpensive Profoto adapter for the Illuminata that might be suitable for this operation:
The speed ring insert that tetrode mentioned above is exactly the one I would use, and it is very low cost at about $30. I managed to get a couple of them when they were in stock with Adorama a month or so ago, but they are out of stock again. So you may have a hard time getting one of those low cost ones, because they have been out of stock much of the last 6 months with both B&H and Adorama.
Another alternative is to find a Photoflex speed ring for Profoto, and take the rotating adapter ring out of it. I have managed to find low cost versions of those used on line in the past for under $50.
brett maxwell wrote:
How is the diffusion cover for the reflective V2? I heard lots of complaints about it being too loose on the V1.
Totally different.
