Elinchrom Softlite 27" beauty dish...

Jannie wrote in post #7359937
Could someone post a link for the Large Deflectors, I use Amazon most but haven't noticed them there. I have the 17" Elinchrom Beauty dish and also the cloth diffuser for it but in my tests with portraits and also using it on table top stuff I often switch to using one of my Octoboxes, usually the 39" Deep Octa.

Re: the 27" I'd have to imagine the difference between it and a softbox might be specific to certain situations but know that sometimes those subtleties are what makes the difference between good and great.

Hi Jannie,

With the 17" beauty dish you definitely want to be using the mini deflectors.
Here are links to both:

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

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

Jannie wrote in post #7360007
Thank you, I was thinking about them in terms of working with the Octoboxes, especially when I do not use the white cloth diffusers.

I think I found them on Amazon as well but they don't offer much explanation: http://www.amazon.com …1-50#moreAboutThisProduc​t

I didn't care for the large deflector, no matter which modifier or its size. I know some other people that felt the same way, although it is a personal preference. I use the mini deflector in the 53" Octa, in a 22" beauty dish, in the 9.5" wide angle reflector, softboxes ranging from 16" x 22" up to 36" x 48" and I love the quality of light and the effect.

I didn't find that to be true with the large. Your experience may be different. I would recommend getting the small deflector and trying it in various modifiers and applications first.

Jannie wrote in post #7360007
I think I found them on Amazon as well but they don't offer much explanation: http://www.amazon.com …1-50#moreAboutThisProduc​t

Yes, that is the set of large deflectors. Notice that they're cheaper from B&H...

Have to say I prefer the larger deflector for most applications - softboxes and large dishes in particular.

The smaller ones are useful for reflectors like the maxispot but they have to sit very close to the modelling light to be effective and they quickly heat up to softbox-melting temperatures if you don't turn the lamp off.

Rudi wrote in post #7361606
Yes, that is the set of large deflectors. Notice that they're cheaper from B&H...

But they're not usually stocked and need to be ordered. From experience, that can take anywhere from a week to a couple of months.

PacAce wrote in post #7361721
But they're not usually stocked and need to be ordered. From experience, that can take anywhere from a week to a couple of months.

Ahhh! Good point!

Rudi, I just had my Maxi out on Tuesday for a location shoot. I really like the Maxi over the Mini. I didn't give the Mini that much of a chance, I already own the 44 cm Square Reflector and I like it a lot. And it has a grid.

Your search for something to carry your Maxi in may be a long one. I still use the box it came in to transport mine. It is a pretty sturdy box. I hope you saved yours.

It is pretty windy here in north Texas. Properly sandbagged, the Maxi doesn't catch the wind like my Deep Throat and Midi Octa do. Good shooting, you are going to like the Maxi.

thumphrey wrote in post #7362604
Rudi, I just had my Maxi out on Tuesday for a location shoot. I really like the Maxi over the Mini. I didn't give the Mini that much of a chance, I already own the 44 cm Square Reflector and I like it a lot. And it has a grid.

Please don't mention the square reflector! Long story, and one I will share once the saga is over and hopefully resolved to everyone's satisfaction, but let's just say that I am a little frustrated at not being able to get my hands on one of those... and it's not because there isn't one available!

thumphrey wrote in post #7362604
Your search for something to carry your Maxi in may be a long one. I still use the box it came in to transport mine. It is a pretty sturdy box. I hope you saved yours.

I still have mine, but it doesn't strike me as a practical way to transport the thing. Then again, the Maxisoft is unwieldy as it is anyway, so I'll give it a go.

thumphrey wrote in post #7362604
It is pretty windy here in north Texas. Properly sandbagged, the Maxi doesn't catch the wind like my Deep Throat and Midi Octa do. Good shooting, you are going to like the Maxi.

Just what I wanted to hear! My Octas have to be the most efficient wind sails ever invented, or that's what it feels like. If the Maxisoft is better in that department, then that's a bonus!

The original box come with the beauty dish was OK for storage, I was not too keen to drag a huge cardboard box around when I am on a job, not to mention there is no padding for protection.

I thought I should give our local Rockshop a try, I was hoping to get a drum kicker bag for this beast but soon I was told this thing was too big even for their biggest kicker bag. However, there is one huge case by Rockbag that looked like it may fit.

Here is my full blog article on this bag. http://bordenli.com/?p​=8

Hermes wrote in post #7351800
It does have a lip though so hopefully one day Elinchrom will make a honeycomb for it (or perhaps J Kacey will make a compatable grid).

I think Mr. Whittle mentioned the upcoming redesign of the Softlites in one of the videos floating around here from either Photokina or PhotoPlus Expo. He mentioned they'll get a grid as well

Lichtwerk wrote in post #11392865
I think Mr. Whittle mentioned the upcoming redesign of the Softlites in one of the videos floating around here from either Photokina or PhotoPlus Expo. He mentioned they'll get a grid as well

Too late for me - I now have a Mola Setti which is an incredible dish and leaves the maxisoft and ebay clones in the dust.

Interested to see the redesign but the maxi is already right on the verge of the size/weight of modifier you want to be attaching directly to your strobe's mount and a 27" grid on the front isn't goint to help. I also found them to dent too easily.

this dang thing is huge!!!! but the 3 dents by in the middle, is that normal?

jeppoy wrote in post #12633440
this dang thing is huge!!!! but the 3 dents by in the middle, is that normal?

Dents are never normal.

i just don't feel like sending it back if it doesnt really affect the performance. I'll see if there's light leaking where you attached the strobe. the dents are in each 3 screws where you attached the strobe.