What is your favorite key light modifier and why?

The title says it all. Please include the make, model, size and why you like it.

I use the right modifier for the situation I'm shooting in...

Most others are probably thinking the same..

There is just too many variables to name a favorite.

The one that is used the most?
The ceiling.

The one I like the look of the most?
A beauty dish, but beauty dishes are usually not the right modifier.

Favorite for price/portability?
A simple 2-in-1 umbrella.

I love the PLM's from PCB. Mainly because they offer big soft light for cheap. Obviously you use the right modifier for the job, but these are very handy.

gonzogolf wrote in post #17027442
I love the PLM's from PCB. Mainly because they offer big soft light for cheap. Obviously you use the right modifier for the job, but these are very handy.

Interesting Gonzo. How do you position it, and how far from your subject? Also, which version of the plm? I always thought the plm was massive so you could back it up and light big groups. I never really considered it for individual portraits.

The reason I ask is because I just sold my elinchrom ranger kit and have switched to PCB. (1) WL X3200 and (2) AB1600. I will be buying (2) large foldable strip boxes for the bees but am contemplating what modifier would be nice and versatile for a key light. Initially I wanted to pounce on the 47" octabox because I've used one and loved it, but it is quite large. The one I had wasn't foldable. It took some work to setup and break down. Perhaps I should still consider it? Anyone have any of PCB's foldable boxes? I'd like to know how quick and easy they are to setup and break down. I've also considered a deep octa or perhaps just a plain jane large rectangular soft box to keep costs down. As it stands, I own a 22" Mola with the opal diffuser, grid and sock as well as a 45" + 60" convertible umbrella.

Aressem wrote in post #17027458
Interesting Gonzo. How do you position it, and how far from your subject? Also, which version of the plm? I always thought the plm was massive so you could back it up and light big groups. I never really considered it for individual portraits.

The reason I ask is because I just sold my elinchrom ranger kit and have switched to PCB. (1) WL X3200 and (2) AB1600. I will be buying (2) large foldable strip boxes for the bees but am contemplating what modifier would be nice and versatile for a key light. Initially I wanted to pounce on the 47" octabox because I've used one and loved it, but it is quite large. The one I had wasn't foldable. It took some work to setup and break down. Perhaps I should still consider it? Anyone have any of PCB's foldable boxes? I'd like to know how quick and easy they are to setup and break down. I've also considered a deep octa or perhaps just a plain jane large rectangular soft box to keep costs down. As it stands, I own a 22" Mola with the opal diffuser, grid and sock as well as a 45" + 60" convertible umbrella.

Thats the beauty of it, you can back it up and have a big field of soft light, or you can use it close for ultra soft. Here are two videos from Joel Grimes where he uses big modifiers. He uses westcott but its the same idea.


I have both the middle and large size and which I use really depends on the shoot and conditions. I have two of the folding softboxes, they go up pretty easily but if you use the grid it slows things down.
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=b3U4lpgwxZY
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=5AzLLIr9h_0

I have a WL X3200 as well. Here are different examples using different modifiers.

Using a 48'' Octo from Fotodiox

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/o5ej​Lp

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IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/myef​8r

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Ryan, I have a couple of PCB foldable soft boxes. Tomorrow I am using two 60" foldable octoboxes from Amazon they are: "Fotodiox Pro Studio Solutions EZ-Pro 60" Octagon Softbox with Speedring for Alien Bees Strobe Flashlight B400/B800 (Black)" They are a fair bit less expensive.
Keith

Big fan of Fotodiox pro solution octas have every size. Super fast to setup and tear down with just one click.

But my fav is my doughboy or the Maxilite

Great work as always whoty

Profoto MultiSpot. This is a small Dedolight reengineered with a flash tube and 300W modelling light. With its frosted frensel, the light is quite hard and has a beautifully smooth shadow transfer. It can be softened lightly with a china silk.

abbadon31 wrote in post #17027899
Big fan of Fotodiox pro solution octas have every size. Super fast to setup and tear down with just one click.

But my fav is my doughboy or the Maxilite

Great work as always whoty

Doughboy? 😳

Aressem wrote in post #17028682
Doughboy? 😳

18" x 11"

For full length stuff I really enjoy using a 120 Octabox, but take off the outer baffle just leaving the inner baffle... I like how contrasty and hard it makes the light look, but with soft edges...

Mine is Elinchrom Octa Midi.

Lightweight, easy to setup, beautiful light quality with my Profoto Monolights.

I used the folio 60" foldable w/ grids yesterday. The worked out really well. Set up is a snap. However, the grids are something to be careful about. One of them was torn up trying to take it off. (and I thought I was being careful).