Did a quick test this morning with the Paul Buff PLM V.2 86" silver with and without diffuser. Unfortunately I don't have a manequin head, so comparing shadows is a tad trickier, but Mosely holds still.
Light was approx 5-7 feet from subject at approx 45' angle and angled slightly down (I have a low ceiling so light stand was not raised).
Light was an ABR 800. Metered with diffusion fabric at 1/2 (160ws) to get F11.
Then removed the fabric and remetered. Lowered the light approximately 2/3 stops (to 98.5ws - have I mentioned I love the cybercommander?) to get identical f/11 exposure.
Camera was on a tripod so shouldn't be any extraneous factors.
Figured it might be useful for those thinking about the product.
I would agree with your findings. The bear however absorbs light well so you can't see the dramatic specular look when using silver umbrellas vs with the diffusion panel. A shiny object would make that more evident.
The chair is an acceptable stand-in for shiny skin or whatever.
As noted the highlights are much closer to specular without the diffusion.
Exposure becomes critical to keep the highlights below clipping. Fill and light position are also important.
For my taste, the undiffused silver PLM brings the subject to life while the diffuser leaves it flat and lifeless. It really depends on the look you want.
Paul Buff wrote:
For my taste, the undiffused silver PLM brings the subject to life while the diffuser leaves it flat and lifeless.
Me too. The diffuser flattens the photo too much.
I believe the 86 with the diffuser may end up going behind me as a fill light. In my little studio space is precious. The 86 puts out enough light that even with diffusion I can dial it up or down as much as I need and it's exactly what I want fill to be - soft and flat.
I've got two of the medium and one of the small. These are probably going to become my key/hair type lights. The directionality will help keep the bounce off the walls down.
I've got two strip lights and a soft box I'll be keeping for backgrounds, kickers, and other specialty uses. Also got one of those shovel reflectors for the background.
Just waiting on the lights to hook them up to. Can't wait to start experimenting again.
It is quite easy to see a difference between the silver with and without diffusion.
But how about some thoughts / experiences on the difference comparing with the white plm in shoot-through or reflective / reflective w/black covering ? Does the white plm + black/silver covering give very different light than with a diffuser sock on? I would expect the level of diffusion vs paralell direct lighting to be the big impact on specularity and contrast.
Also, if someone could attempt to explain the lighting difference between these setups and using a similarly sized deep octa (I still haven't heard anyone quantify the difference in lighting quality between a 3-600$ octa and some PLM configurations that are around ~100$. And while I am very open to there being quality differences, sometimes I get the feeling of the Emperors New Clothes :P
Molokai wrote:
It is quite easy to see a difference between the silver with and without diffusion.
But how about some thoughts / experiences on the difference comparing with the white plm in shoot-through or reflective / reflective w/black covering ? Does the white plm + black/silver covering give very different light than with a diffuser sock on? I would expect the level of diffusion vs paralell direct lighting to be the big impact on specularity and contrast.
Also, if someone could attempt to explain the lighting difference between these setups and using a similarly sized deep octa (I still haven't heard anyone quantify the difference in lighting quality between a 3-600$ octa and some PLM configurations that are around ~100$. And while I am very open to there being quality differences, sometimes I get the feeling of the Emperors New Clothes :P...Show more →
Get those extra items ordered and I'll tell you where to send them.
lol. yeah, I will try to find something close and give it a try. BTW I put on the black/silve back cover for the PLM last night... very nifty Paul very easy and very definite connection feels rock solid. To bad there was not a similar way to attach the front white panel but looking at it makes it obvious that it would be impossible. o well it works great to just not as... nifty.
Doing much of anything with the 86" is difficult (as far as setting up adding diffusers). This is not a comment on the design, just the size. Reaching in to grab the shaft to open it requires more length than I have arm. And getting a diffuser around a 6+ foot circle is entertaining.
Milque wrote:
Doing much of anything with the 86" is difficult (as far as setting up adding diffusers). This is not a comment on the design, just the size. Reaching in to grab the shaft to open it requires more length than I have arm. And getting a diffuser around a 6+ foot circle is entertaining.
Whatcha gonna do. You want big, you deal.
I find it easiest to hold the 86" PLM vertically and press the back against a wall or tree, etc and push the slider in instead of trying to pull the shaft. No strength required that way.
It's not a strength thing so much as a height thing. It works. I can get it opened and closed. It's awkward. The alternative would be an equally sized octobank or other rig and I can just imagine trying to put one of those together having one of the rods slip (happened with a strip light I just got) and killing me...
No, we're good.
Also, it's light enough that I can actually stick it on a boom and put it overhead and not have the whole thing come crashing down.
Milque wrote:
Doing much of anything with the 86" is difficult (as far as setting up adding diffusers). This is not a comment on the design, just the size. Reaching in to grab the shaft to open it requires more length than I have arm. And getting a diffuser around a 6+ foot circle is entertaining.
Whatcha gonna do. You want big, you deal.
I have found it quite easy to setup the plm including adding the white front. the back was a little more labor but i keep it on almost all the time now. I am not very tall 5'10" and I have no problems at all with setting up the 86" you just set it on the ground and push down a little, reach in and grab the center column then I tpyicaly lift it over my head or atleast angled up a bit and... its usaly a 10-20 second process.
I have used Hobo SILVER Lighting 85" umbrella.
But now i am going to buy PLM 86".
1. Is Hobo Silver same or close to :
a. Extreme Silver PLM?
b.Soft Silver PLM?
2. How do you compare lighting of PLM Soft Siver vs. PLM White with White Front Diffusion Fabrick both.
Soft Silver vs. White
I use soft silver plms which still provide quite a bit of contrast. The diffusion fabric really helps to even out the light, resulting in a much flatter yet softer light.
o well it works great to just not as... nifty.