PML Silver Umbrella and whether or not to use Reflector

I'm shooting some large group shots today with a soft silver 64" PML umbrella and the "sock" diffusion filter. I'm using this for the first time and am only now asking myself the question of whether or not I'm supposed to also mount the standard 7" reflector on the strobe (an AB1600). I should also say that I got the PML with the basic 8mm umbrella post; not the speed ring.

The instructions for the PML don't speak to this at all. In the images, it tends to show an Einstien for the speedring mount and, obviously, no reflector. When they show the diffusion fabric/sock, the instructions still don't speak to it, but the images seems to suggest that that light does have the 7" reflector on under the fabric.

I feel like I want the reflector on just as some protection of the bulbs. But in the interest of getting the best most even light, thoughts on whether or not I should be using the 7" reflector?

Thanks.

I believe they recommend the 7UR Umbrella reflector (Spill Kill) for use with PLM's mounted without the speedring.

got it; thanks!

Also, depending on your shooting position relative to the flash head, the reflector will act to ameliorate any flair coming directly from the bulb.

Hi Dave

You got the Bee's yet?

windpig wrote in post #13449407
Also, depending on your shooting position relative to the flash head, the reflector will act to ameliorate any flair coming directly from the bulb.

Hi Dave

You got the Bee's yet?

Hi Ralph, hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Einsteins arrive Monday!

Dave Jr wrote in post #13449493
Hi Ralph, hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Einsteins arrive Monday!

Had a great TDay, I hope you guys did also.

The new lighting won't get here soon enough, I'm sure.

windpig wrote in post #13449534
Had a great TDay, I hope you guys did also.

The new lighting won't get here soon enough, I'm sure.

We did, thank you. Very true!

the spill kill is needed when using the extreme silver PLM. The spill kill with the diffusion cover on the soft silver plm will do absolutely nothing since the light that results from the combination is that of a softbox.

c2thew wrote in post #13451229
the spill kill is needed when using the extreme silver PLM. The spill kill with the diffusion cover on the soft silver plm will do absolutely nothing since the light that results from the combination is that of a softbox.

I don't like the Spill Kill reflector. I get better dispersion within an umbrella while still controlling spill by using an ordinary AB speedring insert with a hole drilled in it:

That's good to know Dave.

tetrode wrote in post #13451406
I don't like the Spill Kill reflector. I get better dispersion within an umbrella while still controlling spill by using an ordinary AB speedring insert with a hole drilled in it:


Dave F.

right, but someone mentioned that you ought to use the spill kill reflector with the Soft silver plm with the diffusion fabric cover in which you do not.

but to address whether the spill kill is more or less effective then your modded speed ring when used with an extreme silver plm is more on the diy side Conceptually i think your modded spill kill would be more effective then AB's since it allows more coverage and less of a spotlight within the plm,

c2thew wrote in post #13452512
right, but someone mentioned that you ought to use the spill kill reflector with the Soft silver plm with the diffusion fabric cover in which you do not.
...

And you know this how?

Dave F.

i own all 3 versions of the plms...

c2thew wrote in post #13453477
...
need anymore samples?

I didn't even need those.

Dave F.