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FJ LOVE wrote in post #9134932
i have an avenger d600 too , very strong boom but you'll need a good stand under it.

Absolutely. You can't use standard aluminum stands with this boom. You need a stand that is stable, has a wide foot print and depending on how far you plan on extending the boom you'll need a sandbag or weight on the end of the boom and/or the base of the light stand.

seanzky wrote in post #9134898
As for the Avenger D600, I can't believe it only costs $5 more than the Norman but can hold so much more weight. I'm going to open it up right now. Hehe. I can't wait to get home and try it.

UPDATE: The hook on the boom is upside down! -.-;

UPDATE, UPDATE: I had the grip upside down! LOL!!!

Dohh!!

seanzky wrote in post #9134865
How much of a difference would there be between a silver PLM with a front diffuser and a white PLM with a black cover and front diffuser?

Contrast, hard light versus soft light. I often use the latter, as most of what I do lately is families and soft light is a lot more appealing than contrasty/hard light.

But I don't think the front diffuser fits on the silver umbrella...at least it doesn't with mine...they should have included instructions with it, though, because it took me a while to figure out how to properly mount and use these

seanzky wrote in post #9134865
How much of a difference would there be between a silver PLM with a front diffuser and a white PLM with a black cover and front diffuser?

Even though you're adding diffusion material to the front, the silver will still produce a more specular quality of light. It will be slightly more directional with slightly higher contrast. If you're shooting people that have oily spots of skin or looking at catch lights you'll see the difference. The catch lights and the eyes will pop more. Any reflection from the subject will be more pronounced with the silver interior.

Kyle is raaddd wrote in post #9134976
There would be a difference for sure, all though I am no master on PLM's (I've never even used one.

I myself would rather have the one on the far right:

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Because it would act more like a softbox/octabox/quintu​plabox (LOL) than an umbrella.

Maybe you should wait for Pham or someone with more knowledge on the subject before you make a decision though.

P.S. I am having another automotive shoot today.

EDIT: If anything ever goes south with my AB boom, I'll definitely get the Avenger

Kyle, I highly, highly recommend this Avenger. It's the cheapest boom on B&H that can handle this kind of weight. As long as you have a stand that can hold this weight (like this: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Boom.html#spec​ifications) and proper counter weight, I wouldn't worry about my Bee and BD going anywhere.

As for the PLM, yup, I'm aiming for the one on the far right, too --the silver PLM with front diffusion panel. I just wanted to make sure.

Right now I have the large softbox (for sale). I thought of getting the foldable version to replace it but then I realized that the foldable octabox isn't that much more. And a minute later I realize that the PLM is cheaper and more efficient than the softbox and octabox. So now I'm trying to figure out which PLM but I guess it'll be the "option 1" from my previous post.

Karl Johnston wrote in post #9135018
Contrast, hard light versus soft light. I often use the latter, as most of what I do lately is families and soft light is a lot more appealing than contrasty/hard light.

But I don't think the front diffuser fits on the silver umbrella...at least it doesn't with mine...they should have included instructions with it, though, because it took me a while to figure out how to properly mount and use these

Isn't the front diffusion panel specifically for the silver umbrella?

Not sure..but if you find out tell me how to put it on i have the whole kit of PLM gear

TMR Design wrote in post #9135020
Even though you're adding diffusion material to the front, the silver will still produce a more specular quality of light. It will be slightly more directional with slightly higher contrast. If you're shooting people that have oily spots of skin or looking at catch lights you'll see the difference. The catch lights and the eyes will pop more. Any reflection from the subject will be more pronounced with the silver interior.

So it sounds like I should get the silver first then. I will end up with both but I think I need what you describe above more right now. I have other shoot-through umbrellas if I need softer light in the meantime.

seanzky wrote in post #9135033
Kyle, I highly, highly recommend this Avenger. It's the cheapest boom on B&H that can handle this kind of weight. As long as you have a stand that can hold this weight (like this: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Boom.html#spec​ifications) and proper counter weight, I wouldn't worry about my Bee and BD going anywhere.

As for the PLM, yup, I'm aiming for the one on the far right, too --the silver PLM with front diffusion panel. I just wanted to make sure.

Right now I have the large softbox (for sale). I thought of getting the foldable version to replace it but then I realized that the foldable octabox isn't that much more. And a minute later I realize that the PLM is cheaper and more efficient than the softbox and octabox. So now I'm trying to figure out which PLM but I guess it'll be the "option 1" from my previous post.

I have the 13' HD light stand from Paul C. Buff. Although I've never had a problem with booming my beauty dish very high and far out, I'll definitely keep that in mind.

Thanks
I hope you find what you want, and it suits your needs!!!

Karl Johnston wrote in post #9135058
Not sure..but if you find out tell me how to put it on i have the whole kit of PLM gear

Have you tried putting the tip covers on first before opening up the umbrella? I don't know. I'm speculating at this point. Better ask the other guys here. Someone has to know if the PLMs are always on backorder. Lol.

http://alienbees.com/p​lm.html

They added this section fairly recently, i think I know what i'm doing now


It can be used with both, I was wrong. Though I don't think it fitted very well when I tried it on the silver as opposed to the white. Often I have trouble with it falling off, in fact. I don't often use the black spill kill cover, though I suppose I really should.

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Not sure if these examples are good enough or not but...here is the white PLM with black spill kill cover on the back:

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Kyle is raaddd wrote in post #9135076
I have the 13' HD light stand from Paul C. Buff. Although I've never had a problem with booming my beauty dish very high and far out, I'll definitely keep that in mind.

Thanks
I hope you find what you want, and it suits your needs!!!

That's right! I forgot you've mentioned here somewhere that you had the AB HD 13-footer. I think that can hold this boom but because of the footprint of that stand maybe it's best to put some weight on the stand as well as counterweight on the boom.

All I have right now is my LumoPro 8' AC (non-HD) stand. I'm too scared to even extend one segment. Lol.

And thanks! I'll end up buying a proper HD stand for this boom. It's about time I own one anyway.

seanzky wrote in post #9135120
That's right! I forgot you've mentioned here somewhere that you had the AB HD 13-footer. I think that can hold this boom but because of the footprint of that stand maybe it's best to put some weight on the stand as well as counterweight on the boom.

All I have right now is my LumoPro 8' AC (non-HD) stand. I'm too scared to even extend one segment. Lol.

And thanks! I'll end up buying a proper HD stand for this boom. It's about time I own one anyway.

Hopefully by the time my boom breaks or something, I'll have my vagabond, so I could put that at the base of the stand

Yes, HD stand FTW!!

Karl Johnston wrote in post #9135102
Though I don't think it fitted very well when I tried it on the silver as opposed to the white. Often I have trouble with it falling off, in fact.

I have a feeling I, too, will learn this the hard way.

Do you have the non-B&W version of photo #2? I'm curious because I like the softness on the first one.

TMR Design wrote in post #9134998
Absolutely. You can't use standard aluminum stands with this boom. You need a stand that is stable, has a wide foot print and depending on how far you plan on extending the boom you'll need a sandbag or weight on the end of the boom and/or the base of the light stand.

This is where I',m at now. I have a reasonable boom, But my stands are weak. I've been looking and can't decide which way to go, there's so many choices. I'm assuming steel is the way to go. I've heard people say to not use a C stand, others do.
I'll take any recommendations for a nice heavy duty stand without going too crazy on price