beauty dish for Elinchrom ?

Hi everyone,

Well, it's that time when I start thinking about another Christmas present to myself. This year, it will be a decision between the 39" Deep Octa and a beauty dish! That decision will not be made easily, but here is what I need help with. Should I decide to get the beauty dish first...

I know some (probably most) prefer the Speedotron beauty dishes over either of the Elinchrom offerings (mainly for the grid capability). Now, I haven't ruled out the Elinchrom dishes yet, but am looking for input as to what Speedotron dish to get, and how to make it fit on my Elinchrom strobes, should I decide to go that way. Alternately, if you're using one of the Elinchrom dishes, which one and why? Unfortunately, given where I live, I do not really have an option of renting one of these AFAIK, although I will try and look into that as well.

I have done a search and read some threads, but I remember many more discussions about this some time ago (at which time I wasn't ready, so not interested, of course). So please, I'd love to hear any and all opinions, suggestions or links.

Thanks in advance!

I've only had my setup a few days and played with each setup a little shooting tests in a tabletop situation.

The Deep Octobox looks to me to be a very versatile tool, it probably will be my universal box with the 53 being used for people shots only.

I still have more testing to do with the 17" white beauty dish and playing with the silver diffuser to see where and how it functions in table top situations, I haven't even had the chance to use it on a persons face and since the age range of most of the people I'll probably be shooting (above 40) the odds of using it on people are slim unless I want the edgy look on a man, especially in black and white.

I wish I knew more, I've seen lots of fashion shots where a beauty dish was used on young beautiful models, pushed up against a wall with the cool shadows and I thought it gave a sensational look.

I am however considering a 10" Elinchrom reflector for some table top work, I'm used to using scoops this size in motion shooting and want to find out if I can get a similar look on specific types of shots.

Well, I just got a great deal on the 70cm (27") white Maxisoft from my local dealer! A 15% saving over what it would cost me from B&H (shipping gets expensive), so I'm gonna snap that one up. Decision made easy!

Rudi wrote in post #6450566
Well, I just got a great deal on the 70cm (27") white Maxisoft from my local dealer! A 15% saving over what it would cost me from B&H (shipping gets expensive), so I'm gonna snap that one up. Decision made easy!

Jeeze, Rudi, why don't you just have Elinchrom send you one of everything they make?

Dave F.

Rudi wrote in post #6450566
Well, I just got a great deal on the 70cm (27") white Maxisoft from my local dealer! A 15% saving over what it would cost me from B&H (shipping gets expensive), so I'm gonna snap that one up. Decision made easy!

Keep in mind that the white maxisoft has an insane spread that you simply cant control. With no grid, a large beauty dish like this will be scarcely different from a large reflective umbrella. The only difference is that you can use the former a bit closer to the subject. The quality of light is identical to my eyes - I own Elinchrom beauty dishes but my Mola and my new Speedotron are the only ones I use regularly

tetrode wrote in post #6450683
Jeeze, Rudi, why don't you just have Elinchrom send you one of everything they make?

Dave F.

I'm working on it, Dave, I'm working on it!

Hermes wrote in post #6450758
Keep in mind that the white maxisoft has an insane spread that you simply cant control. With no grid, a large beauty dish like this will be scarcely different from a large reflective umbrella. The only difference is that you can use the former a bit closer to the subject. The quality of light is identical to my eyes - I own Elinchrom beauty dishes but my Mola and my new Speedotron are the only ones I use regularly

Hmmm... one of the reasons that I was thinking about the smaller version. I'm still thinking, haven't pulled out my wallet yet, but it's a deal that I am seriously considering... Of course, the 39" Deep Octa just might make the Christmas list first, too!

Why does this have to be so hard??

One of each Rudi, one of each Remember the economy, it needs the cashflow!!!

Rudi wrote in post #6450851
Hmmm... one of the reasons that I was thinking about the smaller version. I'm still thinking, haven't pulled out my wallet yet, but it's a deal that I am seriously considering... Of course, the 39" Deep Octa just might make the Christmas list first, too!

The Deep Octa would be a better choice IMO. It will give you a more focussed, directional light (with the outer diffuser off) which is what beauty dishes are all about. There's also the fact that it weighs very little while the Maxisofts weigh a ton and can't fold down for storage. 1M is also a popular size for softboxes so you could probably fit a grid to the octa if necessary.

Hmmm, I will let this ferment in my head for a bit. I wish I had a chance to rent some of this stuff over here, and will make some enquiries about that tomorrow, although I'm not holding my breath! The Deep Octa is something that I will definitely want in my line-up, so that will be the safe purchase.

Hermes, how do you like the small 17" Minisoft? That is the one I was leaning toward in the beginning.

Rudi wrote in post #6451430
Hmmm, I will let this ferment in my head for a bit. I wish I had a chance to rent some of this stuff over here, and will make some enquiries about that tomorrow, although I'm not holding my breath! The Deep Octa is something that I will definitely want in my line-up, so that will be the safe purchase.

Hermes, how do you like the small 17" Minisoft? That is the one I was leaning toward in the beginning.

Honestly, I haven't used it for quite a while. I like the size but it only really gets used for the occasional full-body shot when a bare reflector would be too harsh. Also, I don't particularly enjoy having to position the deflector myself and then having to wait for it to cool down before I can take the dish off the strobe. One other small gripe is that the metal speedring is built in so you can never use the dish on a non-Elinchrom strobe (without a lot of hacking and welding), and if the mount gets dented the whole dish will need repair or replacement.

I have to say I much prefer the Speedotron 22" with a grid for headshots. If we're talking beauty dishes that focus the light without a grid then the Mola Setti is amazing if you can get hold of one. Using the white Elinchrom dishes can be testing unless you want the light to go absolutely everywhere. Of course if you're shooting glamour and want a lot of extra fill from your key light then you might love this.

If you absolutely have to stick to Elinchrom's own accessories then get the Deep Octa.

Hermes wrote in post #6451475
If you absolutely have to stick to Elinchrom's own accessories then get the Deep Octa.

I don't have to stick to Elinchrom, but it's something that was going to make its way into my line-up anyway. The more I talk to you, the more it looks like it will be sooner rather than later.

I have the small 17" white Elinchrom dish and it really floods light everywhere. It is softer than a bare reflector but hard to control where it spills. It seems to really THROW light everywhere too. If you really need a beauty dish I'd look into the speedotron with the grid. It will be much more useful from what I've seen.

The Deep Throat is a wonderful sb and I am sure you will find tons of use for it. I'd do that first.

DavidPhoto wrote in post #6453377
The Deep Throat is a wonderful sb and I am sure you will find tons of use for it. I'd do that first.

Done and decided then! The Deep Throat comes first.