Which Elinchrom deflector ???

Yes, deflector.

I'm thinking of getting a deflector for my Elinchrom strobes. I want to use it with the supplied Portalite softboxes, which show a distinct hot spot (although still provide a nice light), but also with my Octa Midi (and possibly the Portalites as well) with the diffusers removed and the softboxes used as a large beauty dish!

So, I think this one would be the way to go: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ranslucent_Defl​ector.html

But, then they sell these two different sets (for different sizes beauty dishes), and I was wondering if any of these might be a good idea:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Deflector_Set_​2_for.html

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …eflector_Set_fo​r_27_.html

Has anyone played with any of these (including the translucent deflector)? Which would you recommend and why?

I have pairs of all five deflectors - the large silver and gold deflectors are the ones to use if you want to eliminate the central hot spot.

The smaller silver and gold ones are less useful for softboxes as they barely cover the flash tube and still leave much of the central hot spot in place. Also, you have to place them pretty close to the modelling light to get good coverage - I wouldn't recommend using them with non fan-cooled lights.

The translucent deflector does help to even the output of a softbox but will not completely kill the hot spot like the large solid deflectors do.

Thanks Hermes! Have you used any softboxes, sans diffusers and with these deflectors in place??

I've got the minisoft deflectors and the translucent. They came with some equipment I bought off someone. I have not tried them with softboxes yet, only the minisoft dish. I would say for a small softbox like some of the portalites they may be helpful.

I know that Frank Dorrhof says that the translucent allows too much light directly through the center with a dish or open octa but I found it does a great job at softening the light.

The minisoft deflectors are pretty small though and as Hermes pointed out they have to be fairly close to the bulb. I will probably by the larger set for use with the midi octa and I'd say they would be your best bet.

I agree with Hermes about the deflectors

The translucent deflector seems to work best with the beauty dishes (since there is no internal diffuser on the dish). But the translucent-d doesn't seem to look as good with softboxes. The octas and rectas already have an internal diffuser, so adding another diffuser is overkill plus the hotspot still remains. The silver deflector works best for the softboxes with internal diffusers. From my experience, the small silver deflector designed for the minisoft reflector works best with the whole line of octas and strips *except for the 53" octa*. The Medium 53" octa works best with the large silver deflector designed for the maxisoft reflector. Hope that makes sense.

The silver deflector also broadens the light a bit in the boxes...so it doesn't just tame the hotspot...it also increases lighting coverage a bit for more wrap around effect....just my experience.

I really hate the look of the gold deflectors. Just a personal thing...but it's ugly as heck and looks like one of those hot lights at KFC that the chicken sits underneath IMHO

Also, the deflectors work fine but they're really cheezy. Basically a stick with an aluminum can at the end. Way overpriced for what they are...but still worth getting

Yes, the large silver deflector is probably the most useful for beauty-dish style shots. I wouldn't recommend using the portalites or similar without diffusers as the light you get will be pretty unflattering.

Oh, and I totally agree that both gold deflectors give a pretty horrible light, and to top it off, the large and small deflectors are not even the same shade of gold. I only own them because there's no way to buy the silver ones separately.

Gentleman Villain wrote in post #5738596
I really hate the look of the gold deflectors. Just a personal thing...but it's ugly as heck and looks like one of those hot lights at KFC that the chicken sits underneath IMHO

Priceless! You should write advertising copy for Elinchrom.

Dave F.

Gentleman Villain wrote in post #5738596
Also, the deflectors work fine but they're really cheezy. Basically a stick with an aluminum can at the end. Way overpriced for what they are...but still worth getting

If that's the case, how difficult would it be to improvise a similar DIY solution based on a 7mm rod and polished aluminum disk? At least you could get an idea of the effect before parting with real money on something that you may not like/use.

Dave F.

Great! Another case of buying a set of something just to use one and leave the rest sitting on the shelf...

Rudi wrote in post #5742459
Great! Another case of buying a set of something just to use one and leave the rest sitting on the shelf...

If you cover the gold deflector evenly in aluminium tape and then wrinkle the surface a bit you could probably turn it into a usable silver deflector for very little cost.

I wonder if a little silver spray paint would do...

Someone really needs to produce a decent guide as to how to use the Elinchrom range of modifiers. There seems to be so little info available other than the few gems on Frank's site!

Rudi wrote in post #5743570
I wonder if a little silver spray paint would do...

The metal spray paint they sell for radiators should work well. The deflectors do get very hot so I wouldn't risk using regular spray paint if I were you.