Elinchrom Softlite 27" beauty dish...

[Rudi]

...Maxisoft, whatever you want to call it. I just brought one home! :) Haven't had time to shoot with it yet, but thought I would write down some of my impressions:

It's big. REALLY BIG! It doesn't come in a special box or anything, so if I'm going to take it on location, I will have to throw it on top of everything else, maybe wrap it is a blanket or something. The search for a suitable bag to transport this thing starts now... :)

To give you an idea of how large it is, check this out:

http://rudiphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p893642394.gif

[Rudi]

Good news is, if I decide that I don't like it but can't sell it, I can always turn it into a large bird bath! ;) :D

[Bumgardnern]

Very cool. Is this a beauty dish? Where did you buy it?

[Rudi]

I bought it from the local Elinchrom distributor, Kayell in Sydney. This is the larger version of Elinchrom's beauty dish (white), part number 26169, B&H have it here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/126521-REG/Elinchrom_EL_26169_27_White_Maxisoft_Reflector.htm l

[tagvestibule]

Congratulations, Rudi. I picked up one of these on FleaBay a few weeks ago and I'm really enjoying it.

Just a word of caution to others who might be reading this:
I found out the hard way that this item is an exception to the general compatibility of elinchrom light modifiers and genesis strobes.
While the dish's mount fits as it should, the silver and gold reflectors rely on elinchrom's center-located umbrella hole - a detail not present in the genesis line. I got mine up and running with some judicious cutting and bending of a wire hanger, but this is less than ideal. When I have some time, I need to improve this mod.

[Hermes]

Be sure to let us know what you think of shooting with it - I'm sure you'll be pleased with the light but having to put the deflector in and center it every time you mount the dish is a hassle, as is removing the deflector when it's hot.

It does have a lip though so hopefully one day Elinchrom will make a honeycomb for it (or perhaps J Kacey will make a compatable grid). If there was a grid available I'd probably buy a 27" softlite and fit a permanent deflector.

[TMR Design]

Congratulations, Rudi. I picked up one of these on FleaBay a few weeks ago and I'm really enjoying it.

Just a word of caution to others who might be reading this:
I found out the hard way that this item is an exception to the general compatibility of elinchrom light modifiers and genesis strobes.
While the dish's mount fits as it should, the silver and gold reflectors rely on elinchrom's center-located umbrella hole - a detail not present in the genesis line. I got mine up and running with some judicious cutting and bending of a wire hanger, but this is less than ideal. When I have some time, I need to improve this mod.

That's a good point and absolutely something for Genesis owners to consider. There is great power and flexibility in those Elinchrom deflectors. I use them all the time and love them. I use them in the Elinchrom 9.5" 135 degree wide angle reflector, the 22" Speedotron beauty dish, in strip lights to even out the spread across the long edge and in side other softboxes as well as the 53" Octa.

[Rudi]

Congratulations, Rudi. I picked up one of these on FleaBay a few weeks ago and I'm really enjoying it.

Thanks! Luckily I'm using Elinchrom strobes, so no modifications were necessary. :)

Be sure to let us know what you think of shooting with it - I'm sure you'll be pleased with the light but having to put the deflector in and center it every time you mount the dish is a hassle, as is removing the deflector when it's hot.

It does have a lip though so hopefully one day Elinchrom will make a honeycomb for it (or perhaps J Kacey will make a compatable grid). If there was a grid available I'd probably buy a 27" softlite and fit a permanent deflector.

I'll see how annoying that gets in real use, I haven't had time to use the thing in anger yet, too many other things to do at the moment. The pleasures of running your own business and all that... :)

That's a good point and absolutely something for Genesis owners to consider. There is great power and flexibility in those Elinchrom deflectors. I use them all the time and love them. I use them in the Elinchrom 9.5" 135 degree wide angle reflector, the 22" Speedotron beauty dish, in strip lights to even out the spread across the long edge and in side other softboxes as well as the 53" Octa.

Yep, they are handy! The large deflectors are huge though, I'm wondering if I should get the smaller set (or more likely make my own. Since I already have the rods, all I need to make is a smaller silver deflector to start off with :) ).

[TMR Design]

Hi Rudi,

I own 2 sets of the smaller (mini) deflectors and had a set of the larger (maxi) that I returned. I didn't care for them or find them as useful. I'm sure it's a personal thing but I'm finding the smaller deflector to be versatile and do the job in every application.

[Rudi]

The larger deflectors are listed on the Elinchrom website as 14 cm (I'm assuming in diameter :) ), but actually measure around 16 cm. I wonder - what size are the smaller deflectors? They are listed as 11.2 cm, but now I'm wondering...

[PacAce]

While on the topic of deflectors, can somebody tell me if the deflectors are supposed to be screwed on to the rod with the pebbled surface of the deflector pointed towards the flash or away. WIthout giving consideration to the purpose of a pebbled surface, it would seem logical to mount it with the pebbled side facing away from the flash (to allow the light to bounce off and spread out). But obviously, that can't be right since I would think that the pebbled surface should be facing the flash. But with the pebbled side of the deflector facing the flash, it doesn't sit exactly parallel to the front of the strobe (it kind of leans in at the top). Is that how it's supposed to be by design? Can anybody comment on this, please? Thanks.

[TMR Design]

Hi Leo,

The pebbled surface should face the flash tube. If the deflector is leaning then you need to slightly bend it to sit at the correct angle. The deflectors and mounting rods are not exactly the most high tech design and not the best QC in production. I had to bend one of mine and I also use a lockwasher to keep it locked tightly to the rod.

[PacAce]

Hi Leo,

The pebbled surface should face the flash tube. If the deflector is leaning then you need to slightly bend it to sit at the correct angle. The deflectors and mounting rods are not exactly the most high tech design and not the best QC in production. I had to bend one of mine and I also use a lockwasher to keep it locked tightly to the rod.
Thanks, Robert. I didn't want to mess with the deflector until I got comfirmation from others about it. I just figured that it was designed that way for a purpose, being that it's an Elinchrom product and all, although, I have to admit, I could not think of any specific reason for that type of design. Far be it for me to mess up a meticulously spec'd out and finely tuned Elinchrom component by me just crudely bending it just so it looks nice and straight a la Mr. Monk. :lol: :D :)

[Rudi]

Yeah, you gotta bend them sometimes to make them sit straight. They're thin and easy to bend, which works in your favour when you're trying to straighten them out, but against you when you accidentally bump into them. :)

[TMR Design]

A good friend of mine that's been using the deflectors for years told me when I first got them that they bend easily and you'll find yourself bending them back into shape frequently if you use them a lot and don't 'baby' them.

The large one is even worse :(

[TMR Design]

Could someone post a link for the Large Deflectors, I use Amazon most but haven't noticed them there. I have the 17" Elinchrom Beauty dish and also the cloth diffuser for it but in my tests with portraits and also using it on table top stuff I often switch to using one of my Octoboxes, usually the 39" Deep Octa.

Re: the 27" I'd have to imagine the difference between it and a softbox might be specific to certain situations but know that sometimes those subtleties are what makes the difference between good and great.

Hi Jannie,

With the 17" beauty dish you definitely want to be using the mini deflectors.
Here are links to both:

Mini: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/96794-REG/Elinchrom_EL_26303_Deflector_Set_2_for.html

Maxi: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/126524-REG/Elinchrom_EL_26304_Deflector_Set_for_27_.html

[TMR Design]

Thank you, I was thinking about them in terms of working with the Octoboxes, especially when I do not use the white cloth diffusers.

I think I found them on Amazon as well but they don't offer much explanation: http://www.amazon.com/Elinchrom-EL-26304-Replacement-Deflectors/dp/B000FCDBJA/ref=sr_1_50?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1235063850&sr=1-50#moreAboutThisProduct

I didn't care for the large deflector, no matter which modifier or its size. I know some other people that felt the same way, although it is a personal preference. I use the mini deflector in the 53" Octa, in a 22" beauty dish, in the 9.5" wide angle reflector, softboxes ranging from 16" x 22" up to 36" x 48" and I love the quality of light and the effect.

I didn't find that to be true with the large. Your experience may be different. I would recommend getting the small deflector and trying it in various modifiers and applications first.

[Rudi]

I think I found them on Amazon as well but they don't offer much explanation: http://www.amazon.com/Elinchrom-EL-26304-Replacement-Deflectors/dp/B000FCDBJA/ref=sr_1_50?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1235063850&sr=1-50#moreAboutThisProduct

Yes, that is the set of large deflectors. Notice that they're cheaper from B&H...

[Hermes]

Have to say I prefer the larger deflector for most applications - softboxes and large dishes in particular.

The smaller ones are useful for reflectors like the maxispot but they have to sit very close to the modelling light to be effective and they quickly heat up to softbox-melting temperatures if you don't turn the lamp off.

[PacAce]

Yes, that is the set of large deflectors. Notice that they're cheaper from B&H...

But they're not usually stocked and need to be ordered. From experience, that can take anywhere from a week to a couple of months. :|

[Rudi]

But they're not usually stocked and need to be ordered. From experience, that can take anywhere from a week to a couple of months. :|

Ahhh! Good point! :)

[thumphrey]

Rudi, I just had my Maxi out on Tuesday for a location shoot. I really like the Maxi over the Mini. I didn't give the Mini that much of a chance, I already own the 44 cm Square Reflector and I like it a lot. And it has a grid.

Your search for something to carry your Maxi in may be a long one. I still use the box it came in to transport mine. It is a pretty sturdy box. I hope you saved yours.

It is pretty windy here in north Texas. Properly sandbagged, the Maxi doesn't catch the wind like my Deep Throat and Midi Octa do. Good shooting, you are going to like the Maxi.

[Rudi]

Rudi, I just had my Maxi out on Tuesday for a location shoot. I really like the Maxi over the Mini. I didn't give the Mini that much of a chance, I already own the 44 cm Square Reflector and I like it a lot. And it has a grid.

Please don't mention the square reflector! Long story, and one I will share once the saga is over and hopefully resolved to everyone's satisfaction, but let's just say that I am a little frustrated at not being able to get my hands on one of those... and it's not because there isn't one available! :(


Your search for something to carry your Maxi in may be a long one. I still use the box it came in to transport mine. It is a pretty sturdy box. I hope you saved yours.


I still have mine, but it doesn't strike me as a practical way to transport the thing. Then again, the Maxisoft is unwieldy as it is anyway, so I'll give it a go. :)


It is pretty windy here in north Texas. Properly sandbagged, the Maxi doesn't catch the wind like my Deep Throat and Midi Octa do. Good shooting, you are going to like the Maxi.
Just what I wanted to hear! My Octas have to be the most efficient wind sails ever invented, or that's what it feels like. If the Maxisoft is better in that department, then that's a bonus!

[bordenli]

The original box come with the beauty dish was OK for storage, I was not too keen to drag a huge cardboard box around when I am on a job, not to mention there is no padding for protection.

I thought I should give our local Rockshop a try, I was hoping to get a drum kicker bag for this beast but soon I was told this thing was too big even for their biggest kicker bag. However, there is one huge case by Rockbag that looked like it may fit.

Here is my full blog article on this bag. http://bordenli.com/?p=8

[Lichtwerk]

It does have a lip though so hopefully one day Elinchrom will make a honeycomb for it (or perhaps J Kacey will make a compatable grid).
I think Mr. Whittle mentioned the upcoming redesign of the Softlites in one of the videos floating around here from either Photokina or PhotoPlus Expo. He mentioned they'll get a grid as well :)

[Hermes]

I think Mr. Whittle mentioned the upcoming redesign of the Softlites in one of the videos floating around here from either Photokina or PhotoPlus Expo. He mentioned they'll get a grid as well :)

Too late for me - I now have a Mola Setti which is an incredible dish and leaves the maxisoft and ebay clones in the dust.

Interested to see the redesign but the maxi is already right on the verge of the size/weight of modifier you want to be attaching directly to your strobe's mount and a 27" grid on the front isn't goint to help. I also found them to dent too easily.

[jeppoy]

this dang thing is huge!!!! but the 3 dents by in the middle, is that normal?

[TMR Design]

this dang thing is huge!!!! but the 3 dents by in the middle, is that normal?

Dents are never normal.

[jeppoy]

i just don't feel like sending it back if it doesnt really affect the performance. I'll see if there's light leaking where you attached the strobe. the dents are in each 3 screws where you attached the strobe.