Kacey 22" BD deflector test

This is a continuation of a discussion on the Seniors image image thread.
How much effect does the proximity of the deflector to flash tube make?
I've got a Chimera to Elinchrom speedring adapter that Jerry installed on the BD. Half the width of the flash tube sticks out into the dish.
The dish comes with 4 stand off legs to hold the deflector. Each leg is 4 segments, 2 - 3/4 inch and 2 - 1 inch.
For this test I used 4, 3 and 2 sections for each leg. I use 4 sections as my default. 4 standoffs equals 3 1/2 inches, 3 equals 2 1/2 inches, 2 equals 1 3/4 inches.
The issue that came up was poor illumination due to lighting from direct flash between the dish and deflector when feathering across the subject.

The images are as follows
1 - straight at the blue target dot at 32" using all 4 sections.
2 - 45 degree aimed at target dot at 42" using all 4 sections.
3 - 45 degree aimed 12" to right of target dot using all 4 sections.
4 - 45 degree aimed 24" to right of target dot using all 4 sections.

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These images are maintaining the 24" to right of target dot aiming spot, but changing deflector distance
5 - 4 sections (3.5 inches)
6 - 3 sections (2.5 inches)
7 - 2 sections (1.75 inches)
5

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These images give you an idea of the spread using the above set up. 2 stand offs.
In image 8 the dot to the left of target is 12" from target
In image 9 the dot to the right of target is 24" from target
Illumination is the same from 12" left of target across to 12" right of target. 24" right of target is about -.2/10 stops.

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These images are with the BD unchanged, subject is placed in front of target dot.
I metered 10 for proper exposure, but not 11 or 12, I left power and camera settings the same as 10, I wanted to illustrate the change in output with the change in deflector distance.
13 is metered for proper exposure.

10 - metered 2 sections
11 - unmetered 3 sections
12 - unmetered 4 sections
13 - metered 4 sections

10

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For the heck of it, I threw my speedlight adapter on and shot these with the Kacey BD. The front of the speed light is about 1.5 inches outside the BD (meaning it is not projecting into the dish). Same distance, angle and feathering as above. At 42" from subject, it's not what I would consider a good representation of true BD lighting, but it gives you an idea of the hotspot ring, and spread. Besides, the mankin has alien skin

14 - 2 sections of the standoffs, 1.75 inches from back of the dish
15 - 4 sections of the standoffs, 3.5 inches from the back of the dish

14

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I like the fall off with 2 sections in image 10.

Not one image of series with eye contact from the model ruins it for me. LOL

I am with Bobby. Love the falloff of image 10 although 13 may be a little softer.

windpig wrote in post #15276726
For the heck of it, I threw my speedlight adapter on and shot these with the Kacey BD. The front of the speed light is about 1.5 inches outside the BD (meaning it is not projecting into the dish). Same distance, angle and feathering as above. At 42" from subject, it's not what I would consider a good representation of true BD lighting, but it gives you an idea of the hotspot ring, and spread. Besides, the mankin has alien skin

14 - 2 sections of the standoffs, 1.75 inches from back of the dish
15 - 4 sections of the standoffs, 3.5 inches from the back of the dish

I too have the Kacey BD used with speedlites (dual bracket with 580EXs). I am thinking of attaching something reflective and convex to the side of the deflector facing the speedlites. In my mind a lot of the light from the flashes is hitting the deflector plate straight on and being bounced back directly at the flash instead of being scattered about inside the dish to be re-directed out the front. The flat plate isn't as much of an issue with a strobe due to the light radiating in all directions from the bulb but a flash with light already concentrated through a fresnel lens doesn't appear to scatter as much - maybe I should have used the flash's diffuser to get a better light spread.

Hi guys

I hope all have been enjoying Thanksgiving.

Regarding the speedlight placement. I used a new bracket and I need an adapter to allow me to get the light further into the dish to add that look to the test. The speedlight test was a quick after thought.

TMR Design wrote in post #13398980
This is a continuation of a discussion on the Seniors image image thread.
How much effect does the proximity of the deflector to flash tube make?

aaron.dunlap wrote in post #14501589
i sure hope you're OK Rob

hi guys

Liar, liar, pants on fire.

4-5 seem to have a weird ring at the edge?

The weird ring was the reason for the tests. It shows the direct flash seen between the dish and the deflector.

The greater problem that is apparent in 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 are the multiple concentric shadow 'steps' cast by the subject which are visible, with decreasing density as they move out farther from the subject. Only photo 15 doesn't have this distracting shadow characteristic. But photo 15 adds the problem of the very bright outer area of illumination of the background.

Wilt wrote in post #15286752
Only photo 15 doesn't have this distracting shadow characteristic. But photo 15 adds the problem of the very bright outer area of illumination of the background.

Hi Wilt

Photo 15 is how I shoot the BD. Dealing with the ring on the background winds up like dealing with any hard edge modifier, I either feather only so far to keep the edge/ring off the BG, change the BG distance, shoot outside and/or do what ever it takes.

I noticed the double edge shadow when I first got the BD and notice quite often in glamor and beauty images. Umbra/Preumbra thingy.