Mola Setti or Euro for Pre-Wedding/Couple Location shoots?

Hey POTN,

So I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on an elinchrom ranger rx speed, and I was wanting to get a light modifier to use on my pre-wedding/couple location shoots.

It seems like beauty dishes are the way to go (unless I'm mistaken), and I'm currently deciding whether to go for the Mola Setti or the Mola Euro.

I've tried searching through the forums, but haven't had any luck.

If anyone could provide their two cents as to which they would recommend and why, it would be greatly appreciated.

Again, I will primarily be shooting couples.

Oh, and if you have any other light modifier recommendations, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

- v.

There's a huge difference between the setti and euro.
1. Setti is 28 inch while Euro is 33.5 inch. The size alone means that the setti will have a harder edged light and euro is softer light source (remember, larger source means softer light).

2. Setti is a deeper dish than the Euro. Although I'm not 100% sure, but I think deeper basically means more concentrated directional light instead of more spread out.

Overall, yeah, if you want soft light, get the Euro. If you want more contrast with darker harsher shadows, get the setti.

fashionrider wrote in post #16205620
There's a huge difference between the setti and euro.
1. Setti is 28 inch while Euro is 33.5 inch. The size alone means that the setti will have a harder edged light and euro is softer light source (remember, larger source means softer light).

2. Setti is a deeper dish than the Euro. Although I'm not 100% sure, but I think deeper basically means more concentrated directional light instead of more spread out.

Overall, yeah, if you want soft light, get the Euro. If you want more contrast with darker harsher shadows, get the setti.

Thank you for your reply.

In terms of "portability", would you say the ranger rx speed (this is not the as version) + mola euro is a viable solution?

Ideally, I'm after a softer light that I can go from location to location.

mrdunu wrote in post #16205758
Thank you for your reply.

In terms of "portability", would you say the ranger rx speed (this is not the as version) + mola euro is a viable solution?

Ideally, I'm after a softer light that I can go from location to location.

A large umbrella will give you nice, soft light.

mrdunu wrote in post #16205758
Thank you for your reply.

In terms of "portability", would you say the ranger rx speed (this is not the as version) + mola euro is a viable solution?

Ideally, I'm after a softer light that I can go from location to location.

jcolman wrote in post #16205782
A large umbrella will give you nice, soft light.

I agree with jcolman. A large umbrella is enough to give you a soft light. I may not be a pro, and that might explain why, but I honestly can't tell enough of a difference when using a mola beauty dish and an umbrella to justify the huge cost of a mola dish. I know beauty dishes have a more rapid light fall off supposedly and controls light better, but with my experience level, I wouldn't pay $600+ for a beauty dish.

However, I do have a paul buff 22" beauty dish. I normally use umbrellas and I'm happy with the results but one advantage of the beauty dish is its ability to withstand wind much better than an umbrella. I bring my beauty dish out to location shoots. I use my umbrellas indoors with studio shots.

not sure if you have a dedicated assistant ?
mola euro would be heavy and kinda big for wedding imho

unless you need that power ? shooting mid day etc..
check out the Elinchrom Quadra or the Cheetah 360
again weight and power ?

modifier alternatives and/or in addition to beauty dish
umbrella you can do shoot through or with cover like a softlighter (grabs less wind) for soft wrap light
a deep octa or other octa softbox with a grid would be a great option

You would certainly need a dedicated assistant with this setup. Purely for the weight alone. Also as mentioned previously the Euro is a bit large. Not easy to put somewhere, including in your car. I'm actually selling mine because i never use it in the studio anymore.

It's an amazing studio modifier for sure.

Modifiers, like everything else associated with lighting, are relative.

Here is a shot made with a speedlite and a 9" soft box. Umbrella might have been a bit softer. Beauty disk might have been a bit crisper.

The second shot was made with a speedlite, no modifier, for fill.

I long ago realized that without the luxury of an assistant, I had to rely on small, compact, easy to setup lighting when rushing around the city with a couple on their wedding day.

It all depends on the time you have, the ability to pre-stage the shot and your knowledge, skill and experience.

Thank you for the extensive replies!

To answer a few of your questions:

a) I have already pulled the trigger on the Ranger RX Speed. My reasoning is so that I can shoot during the day (and use the sun as a rim light), along with the occasional sunset shots

b) I will primarily be working solo, however I can possibly arrange to have an assistant with me

c) It seems as though a large shoot through umbrella is a popular choice. I've seen other photographers using a beauty dish over a shoot through umbrella when it comes to pre-wedding shoots, hence my reasoning for wanting one. Yes I know I should do my own research, but I figure the Mola Setti *should* give me the look I'm after. Though when it comes to preference, what do you guys prefer? The look of a large shoot through umbrella? or a 28 inch beauty dish?

and @dmward, the second shot looks amazing! I'm not a fan of the first, but that's just personal preference!

mrdunu wrote in post #16206064
b) I will primarily be working solo, however I can possibly arrange to have an assistant with me

c) It seems as though a large shoot through umbrella is a popular choice. I've seen other photographers using a beauty dish over a shoot through umbrella when it comes to pre-wedding shoots, hence my reasoning for wanting one. Yes I know I should do my own research, but I figure the Mola Setti *should* give me the look I'm after. Though when it comes to preference, what do you guys prefer? The look of a large shoot through umbrella? or a 28 inch beauty dish?

The reason people working on the fly like umbrellas is that they set up incredibly fast, you can reposition them somewhat indiscriminately (within reason, of course) if you are shooting through them, and their light (while not as focused as a BD) is soft. Everybody's skin likes soft light.

mrdunu wrote in post #16206064
Thank you for the extensive replies!

To answer a few of your questions:

a) I have already pulled the trigger on the Ranger RX Speed. My reasoning is so that I can shoot during the day (and use the sun as a rim light), along with the occasional sunset shots

b) I will primarily be working solo, however I can possibly arrange to have an assistant with me

c) It seems as though a large shoot through umbrella is a popular choice. I've seen other photographers using a beauty dish over a shoot through umbrella when it comes to pre-wedding shoots, hence my reasoning for wanting one. Yes I know I should do my own research, but I figure the Mola Setti *should* give me the look I'm after. Though when it comes to preference, what do you guys prefer? The look of a large shoot through umbrella? or a 28 inch beauty dish?

and @dmward, the second shot looks amazing! I'm not a fan of the first, but that's just personal preference!

I always prefer umbrellas because they're CHEAP, portable, and quick to set up. Like I said, the only problem is the wind. I've had an assistant hold a tripod down with an umbrella on it so it wouldn't fly away... what happened was the umbrella completely flipped inside out and all the metal pats bent and broke.

One thing to remember with shoot thru vs bounce umbrella, the shoot thru causes light to go through the umbrella to the subject, AND also reflects some light back... sometimes even into your lens, which is a problem. A shoot thru umbrella with a black backing will prevent that. A shoot thru umbrella is also better IMO because you can place the umbrella as close as you want to the subject, literally 1" away from the face if you wish. At that close distance, a large umbrella is huuuuge compared to the subject, so lighting becomes REALLY SOFT. Shoot thru umbrellas without black backing have a lot of light spilling everywhere, which is its downfall.

with a bounce umbrella, the closest you can get the umbrella to the subject is several feet, since the light + length of umbrella shaft is closest to the subject, not the umbrella.

if I had to have only one modifier ?
a softbox with grid I can control the spill easy
but some like a BD ?
some like a umbrella

but I also always have a umbrella along so softbox with grid and umbrella for me
use a velcro strap and strap your umbrella to the lower part of your stand ? so its with you maybe ?


buy all of them use them a bunch in practice and then you will know when you want to use one you do

where I shoot bride and groom I tend to have a coordinator that can hold the stand when we go out to signature holes
if I am running around the resort I can have a bridesmaid come along to help with the dress and flowers and hold my stand so there are ways to work around a assistant

jumping on and off a golf cart and in and out of doors is something I have to contend with
having a large softbox is sweet but not if I have to go in and out of a few doors or on a golf cart
but if its a place that say just has a garden as part of the ground not a big deal then
43 inch soft box wont go through a door easy a umbrella one click its through one click its back open ?

again garden area next to no in and out of doors not a issue

sometimes dont have a lot of time to swap out a lot of stuff either ?

A deep octa would also produce a fairly decent soft light. And it breaks down into a smaller form unlike the Mola's. Then there is the maxilite, which is harsher light and doesn't break down. But it's small enough to not be a nuisance.

You've already picked up the Ranger i see, but have you ever picked one up with your hands? It's fairly heavy. Start bringing it to several locations and even an assistant is going to get tired. It's literally the weight of a car battery. That being said, you can overpower most things, which is nice. A Quadra with Maxilite will get you through 99% of the sunlit situations you would encounter.

What's your location? Are you in Australia?

.02

A Kacey dish is a good compromise. Gives off light like the Molas, but is made of plastic for weight. Very light weight, very efficient.

I have the Setti, but it's a beast to lug around (never mind the Euro!). If I'm going to be moving quite a bit outside, I like using the 27" baby deep octa or the 39" deep octa. Kind of a beauty dish look to the lighting and a lot lighter (and quick to set up and tear down). If it's windy, the Kacey dish is a good option. Full sun in the middle of the day, the Maxilite is a good, portable choice for overpowering the sun.