Photoflex Octodome Anyone?

tetrode wrote in post #6242890
Between your photos and the video, you've probably just sold another 100 Octodomes. Photoflex should put you on retainer.

Dave F.

Haha, I wouldn't mind royalties or even free lighting gear, I even used their stobe for this shoot

Based on emails and PM's I got related to the shoot I know I probably sold no less than 7 Octa's

Tetrode, I used a Hensel Integra 500 Pro. For that shot I set it to a power level setting of 8. This gave me an F11 exposure. The light was approx. about 5' from the model. Thanks for the comment on my user name, most people don't get it.

Dave,

You've received some good advice in this thread. It seems that you already have a Photoflex to Elinchrom speedring, and if so, the Photoflex Octodome makes good sense.

If you didn't already have the speedring, I think the 53" Octa Midi from Elinchrom is hard to pass up. $308 from B&H, and the light that has been coming out of mine is nothing short of wonderful! The only drawback that I can see (compared to the Photoflex offering) is that it doesn't take grids out of the box, but it could easily be adapted to do so with a little velcro and free time (I haven't had the time or need to do that yet). And, like all Rotalux softboxes, it folds up like an umbrella and comes with a travel case for transport.

Best of all - the thing would fit perfectly on your new RX600!

So... if you already have a Photoflex to Elinchrom speedring, you might as well save yourself the $30 and get the Octodome. I can't personally vouch for the Octodome, but it seems that most people here love them, and that Photoflex make some really nice light modifiers. What I can do is vouch for the quality of the Octa Midi, and I can promise you that you will not be disappointed if you decide to go with the Elinchrom offering.

Rudi wrote in post #6244305
Dave,

You've received some good advice in this thread. It seems that you already have a Photoflex to Elinchrom speedring, and if so, the Photoflex Octodome makes good sense.

If you didn't already have the speedring, I think the 53" Octa Midi from Elinchrom is hard to pass up. $308 from B&H, and the light that has been coming out of mine is nothing short of wonderful! The only drawback that I can see (compared to the Photoflex offering) is that it doesn't take grids out of the box, but it could easily be adapted to do so with a little velcro and free time (I haven't had the time or need to do that yet). And, like all Rotalux softboxes, it folds up like an umbrella and comes with a travel case for transport.

Best of all - the thing would fit perfectly on your new RX600!

So... if you already have a Photoflex to Elinchrom speedring, you might as well save yourself the $30 and get the Octodome. I can't personally vouch for the Octodome, but it seems that most people here love them, and that Photoflex make some really nice light modifiers. What I can do is vouch for the quality of the Octa Midi, and I can promise you that you will not be disappointed if you decide to go with the Elinchrom offering.

I was hoping you'd weigh in on this topic, Rudi. It's a difficult choice. Both the Photoflex and Rotalux owners are very enthusiastic about their modifiers. I certainly like the quick-opening feature of the Rotalux but, on the other hand, have read a number of comments from owners complaining about relatively poor build quality and issues with the lining tearing or separating from its backing. The Photoflex is very well constructed by all accounts but is undoubtedly less convenient to assemble than the Elinchrom. Also, as you pointed out, it does accept a grid which is a plus in its column. Price will not be the determining factor as I would elect to add an additional speedring for the Photoflex purely for the sake of convenience.

I don't think there's a wrong or bad choice to be made here. I know myself well enough to realize that ease of setup should be a (if not 'the') deciding factor. I'll take a closer look at the 53" Elinchrom before extracting my charge card yet again.

Thanks for the comments, Rudi.

Dave F.

Dave, you're always welcome to stop by my place and take a few shots with the 53" Octa Midi. And by the time you get here it will be sitting on one of the RX600's, so you can leave yours at home.

Seriously, I don't think there is a wrong choice that you can make here. I chose the Elinchrom Octa because I bought into the system with the intention of taking advantage of their light modifiers. Their accessories are the reason why I bought Elinchrom in the first place! That said, I do not think that the sun rises and sets with Elinchrom - I have been eyeing some very nice Chimera softboxes, and can see that Photoflex make nice stuff as well.

The Photoflex will actually work out a little more than the Elin Octa if you buy another Photoflex to Elinchrom speedring. As you said, price is not the deciding factor, I just thought it was worth mentioning... In the end, I think you might just have to flip a coin!

I've got an idea Rudi... how about Dave and I hop a plane and take a much needed vacation to Australia and we can do a full blown Octa Shootout?

On a more serious note... There's no doubt that the setup and breakdown of the Elinchrom Octa has its advantages but since using Photoflex boxes I've found it very easy, without any frustration or struggle to assemble or disassemble their modifiers. It may take another 60 seconds to me that's insignificant compared to other boxes.

Also, since I've done some testing and measurbating I've been very impressed with the evenness of light and color consistency from Photoflex. Personally, I think that if the ability to use grids is going to be a factor then the Photoflex gets my vote. The grids are made well, the fit is good and the stitching is significantly better than some of the other cheap (and I don't mean inexpensive) junk available, and when comparing to other quality products they hold their own at considerable savings.

TMR Design wrote in post #6246235
I've got an idea Rudi... how about Dave and I hop a plane and take a much needed vacation to Australia and we can do a full blown Octa Shootout?

Wouldn't that be FUN?