Something interesting from PMA: A mini-beauty dish!

[tetrode]

I attended PMA this year and must report that there really wasn't that much shown that would be of interest to denizens of this forum. However, there were a few tidbits worth mentioning.

The Interfit folks were showing a new range of accessories for shoe-mount flash units. The basic adapter that goes on the flash head looks like the back side of a Gary Fong or Lambency diffuser.

The adapter can accept a small (but worthwhile) softbox, grids, barn doors, a snoot, and a mini beauty dish.

Here's the adapter shown attached to the softbox (which is maybe 10" x 12"):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3412/3334389506_001e498807_o.jpg

The front of the softbox:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/3333554231_f112afb019_o.jpg

And a 3/4 view:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3300/3333554215_a20efeea07_o.jpg

Here we see some of the other accessories (grids, barn doors, and snoot):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3299/3334389554_8e4ecbe9c1_o.jpg

Finally, the little beauty dish and a globe accessory:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3323/3334389574_3fd514cb3b_o.jpg

Is the BD too small to be of any practical use? One would think so but Interfit man was adamant that it produces great results (what else would he say?).

Look for this array of tchotchkes some time in April.

Dave F.

[Rudi]

I think the difference between the dish and softbox in that size will be similar to what we see in the larger sizes. In other words, the small softbox is better than no modifier, and the small beauty dish will be somewhat crisper than the small softbox. Whether it's of any practical use, who knows? I know I'm not using my barndoors for the 580EX, but that could have more to do with the fact that I bought a more capable location system. :) If I was still using hot shoe flashes to the same extent that I used to, I probably would use them on occasion (they still come with me on every shoot, inside the bag containing all the hot shoe flash gear).

P.S. The snoot and grid just look too scary to hang off the front of a hot shoe flash! :D

[J Kacey]

I agree that the small reflector they are calling BD might be better than strait flash, but that thing is never going to give any type of BD effect. It's almost funny

Now if they said it was a BD for Macro work I might believe it

[tetrode]

I agree that the small reflector they are calling BD might be better than strait flash, but that thing is never going to give any type of BD effect. It's almost funny

Now if they said it was a BD for Macro work I might believe it

Maybe you should design a bag for it, Jerry ;)

If you want a pygmy beauty dish, this looks like a "better" system:

http://www.viewfinderphotography.co.uk/product_view.php?prod_id=479

However, the sample shots aren't all that convincing.

Personally, I think the grids and the snoot might be the most useful of the Interfit accessories.

Dave F.

[Rudi]

Personally, I think the grids and the snoot might be the most useful of the Interfit accessories.


Oh, I agree! They just look scary to your clients. :)

[J Kacey]

Maybe you should design a bag for it, Jerry ;)

If you want a pygmy beauty dish, this looks like a "better" system:

http://www.viewfinderphotography.co.uk/product_view.php?prod_id=479

However, the sample shots aren't all that convincing.

Personally, I think the grids and the snoot might be the most useful of the Interfit accessories.

Dave F.

That's funny....
Guess there is a market for just about anything.
Mini bowl with a center disk and bam... Beauty Dish for bugs