PLM 64" front diffuser vs softbox

I'm looking at picking up some alienbees and modifiers in the near future and trying to strategize what i'm buying. I have a total budget of about $1000, so I'm planning on getting 2 B800s, a couple heavy duty light stands, and I'm stuck trying to decide on going with 64" PLM umbrellas (white for shoot through, and add on black outer cover for bounce & front diffuser for softbox-like effect) or PLM Umbrella and 30x40 softbox...

With the black back cover and front diffuser on the PLM Umbrellas, would the resultant light be similar to the softbox? I like the light control you get from a softbox (no light spill out of the back), but with the modifierrs to the umbrellas it seems like it can achieve a similar level of light control.

I'm trying to setup a small in-home studio to shoot kid portraits, so, just wanting some feedback on the modifiers.

Thanks in advance...

I just went through this. I would recommend 2 Einsteins, well worth the money long term, short term, however you look at it. Get the Cyber commander system for remotes. If it means that for now you can only get 1, it's worth it. You can take some amazing images with just 1. Instead of the PCB stands, get Savage stands, the same thing, and save about 1/2 the doh. The PLM is like a softbox, as it will control spill better than a bare umbrella, but much less control than a softbox, and no grid. If tight on cash, get the PLM. The silver is much more efficient in bounce mode (obviously), and with the diffuser. The softbox will allow more control than just spill out the back. If, later on, you decide on softboxes (you probably will), get them from FotoDiox.

My rec:
1 einstein $499
Cyber Commander $179
CST $29
64" PLM Silver $59
Diffusion cover $18
Savage 13' Four-Section Heavy Duty Air-Cushioned Light Stand $50
Total $834
Almost enough for a second Einstein. The Einstein is better in so many ways, Flash duration, Color, Power, Precise Adjustability (1/10 of a stop), 640ws to 2.5ws

I have to agree.. The Einstein is remarkable and in a small studio setup you might be forced to use the B800's at lower power levels at times which can cause a well known color cast issue. The Einstein is accurate to with (iirc) 50k frp, 2.5ws all the way up to 640ws. The 64" PLM also might be a bit big depending on how tight the area you're working in is. I've used my Einstein all throughout the power range and haven't questioned the color accuracy but do notice quite a change in color with the ABR800 at lower power.

Thanks for the suggestions... The Einstein sounds awesome... I'm just starting out with this studio stuff, so I'm not sure I'll see the difference much. Is it hard to fix the inconsistent color cast (will be shooting raw, so shouldn't be too hard, will it?)?

It's tempting because I was intending to start out just using a single light, and work my way up to two. I'm not sure I'll be able to pick up more equipment down the road (we're expecting our first kid), so this might be a 1 shot lighting purchase so I kinda wanted to get 2 lights while I can.

If I start with just 1 Einstein, if/when I can expand my lighting setup, would I need to stay with Einsteins? I guess for consistent color cast, etc, it would be best...

haha, man, I've been researching for the past 2-3 weeks now... thought I had the lights figured out, and was just trying to settle on the modifiers... but now i'm rethinking my lights...

one more thing... can I use just the cyber sync trigger transmitter in place of the cyber commander?

I also noticed the cyber commander has a built in flash meter... do u guys use this feature in place of a light meter?

I'm starting to lean harder in this direction....

I have the CC and use it quite often. The ability to setup your light (which in a lot of cases is boomed above me and out of reach) and adjust the power output at will is fantastic. I use the light meter quite often too and it's fairly accurate from what I've tested. You could get just the transmitter but if you're going that route, I'd choose a Cactus V5 duo set. $60 and they're transceivers (both receiver and transmitter built in one) and unbelievably reliable.

If you don't get the CC I'd highly suggest the V5's. Very consistant and great quality. The color cast (especially when shooting portraits) will be noticeable quite a bit depending on the range you're shooting in. The Einstein eliminates that much more and provide plenty to overpower the midday sun if you choose to shoot outside. The B800's won't be able to in msot situations unless you have the lights relatively close to the subject.

I use the CC instead of a light meter. The nice thing is that you can meter the lights individually, all at the same time, and adjust them individually, or all at once. Say you meter the key at 2.8, it remembers that and that will be it's value. If you want to shoot at f/4, bump it up 10 times, and now the CC reads f/4. Kinda hard to explain. It adjusts the light in f stops after you meter. It tells you the color and duration right on the CC. Group the lights and adjust them by group...... It is an excellent tool!

You don't need to stay with all Einsteins, you can mix with WL or ABs, but once you use the Einstein, if you did purchase an AB later, I think you'd be sending it back.

Congrats on the new addition!! If it's your 1st, your life will forever be changed.

lol, I had my heart set on multiple strobes... I'm going to head to the single light thread to be inspired...

So... looking at my revised revised revised setup...

1 Einstein E640
1 Cyber Commander
1 Cybersync Transciever
1 Large Foldable Softbox (32x40)
1 Heavy Duty 13' Light Stand
1 64" PLM Umbrella
1 64" PLM Front Diffuser
1 64" Black Outer Cover

wonder if I can jerry-rig my 7D pop up flash to set off my 580EX as a 2nd background light, or fill... will it even work with the Cyber Commander mounted?

Have they made a pocketwizard option for the einstein?

You can always pick up an optical slave for your 580 and use that. It will work pretty well other than in bright outdoors.

Cool, thanks for the suggestion on the optical slave, it looks really cheap too (~$20-$40).

I don't really care about outdoor shots (yet), just wanted something I could use to light up backgrounds if I wanted to do High Key stuff (don't think my 580EX will have enough power for that, but I can always try...) and maybe some fill...

I really need to sit and think about this one... 2 alienbees w/ PC Cord & PLM Umbrellas vs 1 Einstein & wireless triggers + PLM Umbrellas and Softbox for roughly the same price... Decisions... decisions...

If you already have a 580 then definitely go with the Einstein. I've been using the Einstein on my seamless and using the speedlight to light the backdrop or use it bare as a hair/rim light. It's more than powerful enough to use in those situations.

You def don't need the power and versatility of the Einstein to light up a seamless bg 2 avg power speedlights will do it:
STROBIST:
2 YN460 II's pointed at BG (one on each side), 2 YN460 II's bounced off of 40" white reflective umbrellas cam rt and lt, all triggered by rf602s. Set up on a Super Collapsible 8 x 16 BG, and tileboard.

siddr20 wrote in post #12822201
Have they made a pocketwizard option for the einstein?

Yes, MC2 its made by Pocket Wizard and sold by Buff.
Works with ControlTL and will also work as a simple trigger.

cisobe wrote in post #12821524
Is it hard to fix the inconsistent color cast (will be shooting raw, so shouldn't be too hard, will it?)?

Not really if you have one shot only, try to get 10 or more all to look the same. Thats where the "fun" begins. :P

But really get Einstein if you are fixed on buying PCB products.