Why are the AB brolly boxes being discontinued?

Hey everyone I am trying to get a lighting setup that will work for now, but that I can build into a great studio setup. I am going to get an AB 800 to start, and want to use my 580 EX for fill. I was thinking about getting a Brolly box (To save a little money over a softbox) But I noticed they are being discontinued. So my questions are, Does anyone have them, use them? What do you think of them? Are they being discontinued because they aren't worthwhile to have over another similarly priced item? I was going to get their Cybersync transmitter, and reciever also. Will I need anything additionally to trigger my 580 EX? Or will it's sensor trigger the flash? I feel so dumb about all of this, so I'm sorry for that. But anyone with any imput would be sooooo helpful!

I use their softbox and brolly box. I think they might be discontinuing them because of the PLMs. Maybe. The brolly box works just like an umbrella except the arc is more pronounced and it has a back cover that keeps the light from spilling and bouncing off walls.

Federkeil wrote in post #9037754
Hey everyone I am trying to get a lighting setup that will work for now, but that I can build into a great studio setup. I am going to get an AB 800 to start, and want to use my 580 EX for fill. I was thinking about getting a Brolly box (To save a little money over a softbox) But I noticed they are being discontinued. So my questions are, Does anyone have them, use them? What do you think of them? Are they being discontinued because they aren't worthwhile to have over another similarly priced item? I was going to get their Cybersync transmitter, and reciever also. Will I need anything additionally to trigger my 580 EX? Or will it's sensor trigger the flash? I feel so dumb about all of this, so I'm sorry for that. But anyone with any imput would be sooooo helpful!

More than likely they are discontinued because the new PLM is replacing and improving upon the design. If you look closely at the various configurations of the PLM you'll see the one very closely resembles the brolly and more than likely provides more even lighting than the brolly.

I forgot to mention the PLM is way more efficient that the brolly box and way more customized to fit different needs.

Ok so would you recomend using the black/siver umbrella, with the white diffusion panel, or the white shoot through umbrella with the black spill kill fabric? (For use shooting portraits including families.)

Depending on the quality of light you're going for I would suggest either the silver or white interior with black backing and white diffusion material over the front, or a white umbrella with black material over the front.

Using the umbrella with a black backing would be an indirect reflective bounce and the white would be a direct, forward firing light source.

Rob, I appreciate your help! I just stumbled upon this kit while reading through some other posts. Do you think this would be an acceptable beginning set-up for portraits/families? Or would you suggest that I just go with the (more expensive, and probably more reliable AB's) I was thinking with this set up of getting skyports. Is there anything else that I would need to get to get started?

I'm a dork! I forgot to add the link. http://www.calumetphot​o.com/item/CF0502K1/

Federkeil wrote in post #9038586
I'm a dork! I forgot to add the link. http://www.calumetphot​o.com/item/CF0502K1/

The Genesis lights are very good and very well liked in this forum. Many people own them and many have given very positive reviews. The Genesis kits are a great value and when they're on sale as they are now it becomes a no brainer in my opinion when it comes to a good entry level lighting kit. The kit gives you what you need to get started and from there you can build up s needed. Radio triggers are a very nice thing to have and they are available from lots of manufacturers. Skyports work very nicely but then again so do PCB Cybersyncs, Interfit, Impact, and most of the triggers on the market. The big differences come in when you're looking for range and additional features beyond just triggering.

The nice thing about the Genesis lights is that they use the Elinchrom mount so as you upgrade modifiers you can explore and tap in to the rather extensive line of quality modifiers from Elinchrom without buying new lights.

Ok last set of questions. I'm getting these specifially for a (charity) family photo shoot. For a low income preschool. I called a rep, and he thought a 400 with a softbox, and a 200 with an umbrella and their own brand triggers ($59) Would get me a good start. Do you concur that the 400 and softbox are important?

Federkeil wrote in post #9038816
Ok last set of questions. I'm getting these specifially for a (charity) family photo shoot. For a low income preschool. I called a rep, and he thought a 400 with a softbox, and a 200 with an umbrella and their own brand triggers ($59) Would get me a good start. Do you concur that the 400 and softbox are important?

For portrait work I would tend to agree but with groups I would tend to go with umbrellas. Then again, umbrellas are so inexpensive that it might be a nice idea to get the 400 and softbox and then just add another umbrella.

For groups and family photos, nice large umbrella work very well. Great coverage, fairly even lighting and they can be feathered from left to right and top to bottom for the coverage needed.

If you plan on doing portraits of any kind, especially single subject, then yes, I do feel a softbox is a great modifier to have. Having said that, let's not forget that many people do incredible work with umbrellas and it's not like you would look at those images and think they suck because they were shot with an umbrella.

Thank you does not seem to cover it as to how grateful I am for the help! There have been times when I could have dropped the Money for what I wanted, but now is not one of those times. I really appreciate feeling confident in a cost-minded alternative.

Federkeil wrote in post #9039066
Thank you does not seem to cover it as to how grateful I am for the help! There have been times when I could have dropped the Money for what I wanted, but now is not one of those times. I really appreciate feeling confident in a cost-minded alternative.

My pleasure. I have no doubt that you'll like the Genesis strobes very much.