EL Octa

Is the EL Octa 74" in height or circumference? Trying to figure out if it will fit in my home studio which has 8' high ceilings. If someone is using it successfully with similarly low ceilings, is there a particular low height stand you recommend as working well?

Many thanks for your help. Hope this will fit or I might just have to move.

Rand

Plan on moving, it's 74" across (think dia). There's a 53" version, but the light mounts at the rear and you don't get that nice even spread of light that the el octal provides.

I'd like to have the larger octa too, it's my favorite light modifier.

Chris

An owner of the 74" Octa will have to chime in with the exact numbers but as a reference, the 53" Octa only measures 48" from side to opposite side and a little more than 49" from corner to opposite corner. I'm not sure where the 53" measurement comes from.

If that's an indicator then the 74" Octa, at best, is 74" from corner to corner and that makes it very usable in a space with an 8 foot ceiling. It's certainly not ideal and you're not going to get more than another foot to a foot and a half of height but it can work.

@Chris: Thanks for the info. I've looked at photos taken with both, and you're right... there's definitely something different about the way the El Octa spreads its light. I was thinking about moving anyways so at least I have a good Plan B already!

@TMR Design: Thanks for measuring the stats on the 53". You're right, not much leeway to angle with, unless the subject is lying on the floor...but it gives me hope! I just tried modeling El Octa in google sketchpad...looks doable if I can just find a low enough height stand (see attached image).

Hmnnn...if i buy it and can't get the angles I need I suppose i'll just have to move after all.

Anyone using the Octa with 8' ceilings currently and have pictures of their setup they can share?

Thanks everyone!

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The big issue when working with the large octa is how it will throw the shadows. There are many times that it will fit in a small space properly but there still won't be enough wiggle room for positioning the light to create pleasing shadows.

The best way to control the direction of the shadows is by position of the center of the light source. For example, if a photographer is taking a portrait and he wants the shadows to go downward on the subject's face, then the center of the light source is probably going to have to be slightly above the subject's eyes in order to send the shadows down. There are a lot of times that the Octa needs to be placed really high up in order to make certain that the shadows aren't coming too much from the side or going upward on a subject so the biggest problem in a small room might be shadow position rather than just the physical size of the octa.

I suppose that a subject that is sitting or if you were working close to the floor then it's a bit more practical.

If I had the Octabank I'd be using it primarily on location.

Yes Robert, that sounds right to me too

That is hopefully more my intent as well. I recently ordered a Ranger RX AS for portability. Would be helpful to learn EL Octa's characteristics if I can set it up in the home as well, but not a deal breaker I suppose if I can't. Sounds like I'll be be able to, albeit just with some constraints in how I position it.

Sincere thanks, I'm going to give it a try!

Does anyone use their octa bank with low ceilings and/or know a stand that would For sure hold it low enough? I'm guessing something with a minimum height of 4' 6" or less would work, but i'd prefer to copy a working solution if someone knows of one.

Many thanks.

Rand

Robert,
Thanks again for your help. I was looking for a name for you earlier and only now noticed the line in blue in your signature.
Rand

They make a non chrome one too that's a tad cheaper
Just make sure 8 ft stand works for you
231 CS

Not to discourage - but hell, we have 14' ceilings and can barely use the thing. Outdoors it'll be great. Especially coupled with the Ranger. I see you are a 'new' member, welcome!

mumbles wrote in post #10428896
Not to discourage - but hell, we have 14' ceilings and can barely use the thing. Outdoors it'll be great. Especially coupled with the Ranger. I see you are a 'new' member, welcome!

You can't discourage me Brendan.

One day I'll have the Octabank and it will be used almost exclusively on location.

I bet it makes a great background for head and shoulder shots on pure white.

@Brendan: I am...thought I could use some guidance in figuring this all out and I definitely came to the right place...thanks for the welcome!

@J Kasey: thanks for the link, particularly like that it's wheeled as well.

@Robert: Forget where but I've seen several head&shoulder shots with El Octa as the background and it looked like it worked impeccably well for that purpose.

thanks again everyone. this forum rocks!

Kelby is a fan: http://www.scottkelby.​com/blog/2009/archives​/4193

mumbles wrote in post #10429589
Kelby is a fan: http://www.scottkelby.​com/blog/2009/archives​/4193

Yes he certainly is!!!! And that's good to see.