RDKirk wrote:
...
Did you get a verification email before that happened?
I did not have a pre-order in for the 51" inch white PLM. I just happened to notice that it was no longer on backorder so, on impluse, I decided to get one. Here's part of the order confirmation email I received on August 22:
"Item Ref. Price ea. Qty. Description
E-PLM51U-W $28.95 1 Parabolic Umbrella White 51" 16 Rib for Elinchrom
PLM51-BOC $14.95 1 PLM51 Black Outer Cover Fabric
PLM51-WFDF $15.95 1 PLM51 White Front Diffusion Fabric"
That was followed on August 23 by the following:
"Hello David,
Thank you for your recent order with Paul C. Buff, Inc., home of White Lightning, AlienBees, Zeus and Einstein. Your order shipped out today with the exception of the 51” black out cover and white front diffuser fabric, which are currently on backorder. We will ship these items out to you as soon as they are available."
So, it would certainl seem that it was the 51" white PLM V2 and Elinchrom adapter that shipped. Truthfully, it's the Elinchrom adapter that I wanted more than the umbrella. I do have long-standing pre-orders in for the 64" and 86" silver PLMs.
This forum needs better mod'ing. It could start by deleting all of Kacey's posts in this thread. There are plenty of teenagers who behave more respectfully (not just to other posters, but to all the thread readers), than this adult seems to know how to.
On a side note, I'd planned on buying a set of his Elinchrom adapters, but certainly won't be now.
I am receiving a replacement one - I never placed an order, but was told it would ship when it was ready. I received a UPS shipping confirmation number from Paul C Buff, so I can only assume they are done! Yay!
Our vendor/agent (who makes our molds and many metal parts) is really conscientious about this. All umbrellas made in China (essentially all umbrellas sold) are literally made in sweat shops. The companies are in nice buildings in Hong Kong but the workers are in non air conditioned steel buildings in the mainland, There are thousands of such shops and the workers are illiterate . . . that is simply how it is.
The PLM silver requires dimensional accuracy beyond what these shops are accustomed to and I have given our agent/vendor rigid dimension tolerances that I insist on. As a result, he is now in the process of installing air conditioning in the sewing shop he is using because achieving the dimensional stability i demand requires it. Nylon, by nature, absorbs some amount of water and this can change the size and shape of all umbrellas if they are not made under more controlled conditions. This was the problem with V1 from two different vendors. If the dimensions of Silver PLMs aren't right they don't live up to their performance capabilities.
All of these factors have caused the delays, and I and the vendor gave had the choice of ignoring this and
going with the flow" (shipping inferior products) or tackling it.
PLMs are coming in regularly now and quantities are steadily increasing. Both we and our vendor/agent are hand inspecting each on. We're all human and casual users have little knowledge of what goes on behind the scenes.
As a result, he is now in the process of installing air conditioning in the sewing shop he is using because achieving the dimensional stability i demand requires it.
And that is why I had air conditioning when I was in the USAF--because the computer needed it. Of course, the air conditioner ran at 120db, too--unfortunately the computers didn't care about the noise. Eh? Speak up!
Thanks Dave! Very interesting. I wasn't expecting the V2s to be at all difficult to assemble. I use my 65" silver on location shoots where setup speed counts. Hmm.
What setup is involved using it like a standard umbrella without the cage assy. My guess is that anything that is properly aligned like the v2 PLM with speedring will be a tad more involved.
Pricewise it's still on par with a cheap and dirty white umbrella.
BRYAN BEASLEIG wrote:
What setup is involved using it like a standard umbrella without the cage assy. My guess is that anything that is properly aligned like the v2 PLM with speedring will be a tad more involved...
I think "a tad" is a bit of an understatement, Bryan. You might be interested in my follow-up post which discusses PLM assembly in some detail:
tetrode wrote:
I think "a tad" is a bit of an understatement, Bryan. You might be interested in my follow-up post which discusses PLM assembly in some detail:
randomlinh wrote:
Paul, any comment on why the cage adapter isn't attached w/ a thumbscrew/wingnut or something to the same effect?
I don't think that would be too difficult for Paul to implement seeing that not many has ordered their PLMs yet. That would be great if he could change it to that. I don't mind assembling a modifier on the spot (I already do with octas and strips anyway), but if I need to carry a screw driver with me, that kind of changes things a bit.
It is assumed that the vast majority of users will use the PLM on the same type of light regularly. If a user wants to swap from 7mm to speedring mount regularly we can supply a spare rod and you can leave the speedring attached and the use the other rod for mounting the 7mm rod.
If you only want to use the "standard off-center umbrella" mode (7mm rod) there is a set screw on the back that can be tightened to secure the center rod in place. Then you can open and close it like a normal umbrella. Then again, if you want a "normal umbrella, go buy one. If you don't appreciate the PlM go get an 8 rib umbrella with shaft ticking you in the eye and complain about its shortcomings.
Personally I'm amazed at comments from "professional" photographers who think the world is falling because they must install one screw one time and, OMG, I don't have a screwdriver. Are photographers really that challenged?
As for the sleeve, we are getting sleeves made.
My God people, I never said PLM was an ordinary umbrella . . . that's why it's called a Parabolic Light Modifier (PLM™)
I really think the few naysayers here ought to go in business and see what they come up with beyond negative rhetoric and armchair criticism. But I guess that's what drives some forum posters.
Paul Buff wrote:
Personally I'm amazed at comments from "professional" photographers who think the world is falling because they must install one screw one time and, OMG, I don't have a screwdriver. Are photographers really that challenged?
As for the sleeve, we are getting sleeves made.
Way to take a minor critique of your product and blow it way out proportion, in a way that takes a swipe at one's "professional" status. Comments like these continue to show forum members just who's professional and who isn't. This, followed by dismissing the fact that your product doesn't come with a standard accessory that most soft modifiers include, all without apology for the lack of sleeve (which presumably will be included in future shipments).
Enough with the insecure/defensive attacks on others who very politely and appropriately mention (w/o acting like the world was ending, I might add) something that they may not like. This is a forum remember? No need for the disrespect.
It's not the idea that we don't have a screwdriver, it's the issue of time to setup while on location. For me, These plms will be used extensively for group shots at weddings with my elinchrom strobes. People are perceiving the initial plm as timely to setup because of a few things
1) they don't have it in their hands
2) trying to ensure that the product can be improved upon by offering feedback
3) reduce future customer dissatisfaction with something as trivial as a screw.
I am a huge supporter of your plms since their inception and I honestly can't wait to have them in my hands. For the price and value they honestly can't be beat. There might be comments you might not agree with, but inevitably others will find a DIY solution to remedy the issue.
I personally see these umbrellas as fantastic strobist umbrellas because young photographers such as myself want the best light modifiers within our budget. That being said, setup time will play a factor if we are walking around the city with a light stand.
I'm pretty sure that the plm is supplied with a umbrella shaft that can be fitted to umbrella brackets which will probably be used as a quick draw solution. (speedlites)
It's hard to give more feedback because I don't have one in my hand to comment and are basing the plm v2 off pictures and feedback from another user.
If you are using it with the same type light . . . IE, Buff or Elinchrom with speedring, or other lights without speedring, setting it up take about 20 seconds and doesn't require a screwdriver or any other tool. We could put the screw in for you if you want to pay a whole lot more in shipping, but then you would have to take it back out to use the 7mm mounting method. Or we could raise the price and send a pre assembled set of shafts for every possible use.
Let me ask . . . how easy is a Bron Para or standard softbox to setup?
It's not that I mind comments but I do mind comments that tell me I should change the design after spending tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars inventing/developing/and having parts made because a customer would prefer I had designed it a different (and more expensive) way.
If you would like to spend a couple hundred dollars on a PLM I could probably design it so everyone would be happy . . . but of course I wouldn't sell 1/20 as many and everyone would bitch about the price and say "why does this thing cost so much?
I guess I should learn and just produce my products and stay off the forums and in my ivory tower like other manufacturers. It really doesn't matter if I'm on here or not . . . it's bitch bitch bitch either way.
Got an idea . . . those of you who don't like me . . . buy from someone else. Those that do, I'm here to help in any way I can. Those who think they can do a better job designing and manufacturing and marketing . . . go for it.
So go ahead now, you few that are unpleased with everything I do or say - fire away as usual. I'm up for a good barroom brawl if that's what this forum is for.
Yay!