PLM V2 has landed!

I have all three sizes of the old version, and I'm not sure that I agree that it's "marketing fluff", regarding the shape, as compared to a regular umbrella. My experience...( although limited ) with regular umbrellas is they tend to scatter light in a wide and less controlled pattern. Which is fine if that suits the need at the moment. I have regular umbrellas and use them at times.
The point of the PLM ( to me anyway) is that it gives a more distinct falloff of the light out at the edges. And the beauty of it is that it's predicable in that it is projecting a "shaft of light" roughly the diameter of the modifier. Which makes it easy to aim it at a subject in such a way to feather the light at the edges of that shaft of light.
Not to sound like a fanboy of PCB products....but I have to say he brings a lot of stuff to market at a considerably lower price point than some others.

And before y'all go off on me about how other brands compete in price for this piece or that piece....I know.....I know....but from what I have seen, he offers a variety of products that integrate nicely in an overall pricing package that is hard to beat.
And now he's trying to make his product compatible with other manufacturers equipment. In an age where a lot of companies try to keep things as proprietary as they can, how can you argue against his logic ?
This is always a bit of a chuckle to me that there is so much in fighting and back stabbing regarding his methods of manufacturing and marketing.

Seanzky wrote in post #10810088
Looks like Paul is angry at Dave's review or my comment regarding the screw driver thing. LOL. Wait until he reads Mark's and Rob's comments. ROFL!



A barroom brawl! LOL. At his age, he shouldn't be thinking of finding ways to die sooner. But he definitely reminds me of kids on YouTube commenting on videos and "the tough guy behind on the keyboard behind the monitor".

Anyway, back to discussing PLMs.

Notice how I cleverly resisted the urge to respond to Mr. B's post, Sean. I've found it to be a waste of time trying to conduct a reasoned exchange of ideas with King Luap. As far as Paul is concerned, there's no such thing as constructive criticism as all of his designs are perfect. Any shortcomings are the work of incompetent and/or unreliable design sub-contractors and consultants. But wait! There were no design sub-contractors or consultants involved in the creation of the PLM V2; it was all Paul's handiwork. In that case, I guess the PLM V2 MUST be perfect and I don't know what I'm talking about. Never mind.

Actually, I do have something to add: Based on this statement from PCB in one of his recent posts on FM, it would appear that Mr. B does not fully understand how his PLM V2 works:

"If you only want to use the "standard off-center umbrella" mode (7mm rod) there is a set screw on the back that can be tightened to secure the center rod in place. Then you can open and close it like a normal umbrella."

Really? Look at this (ignore the reddish cast; walls of the room are red):

Hermes wrote in post #10810288
Dave, looking past the marketing fluff about the shape and the pointless looking cage adapters, will it function as an ordinary umbrella - can it open-close instantly when used as a normal umbrella and does it look like it will stand up to regular use?

If so, it still ticks a lot of boxes for me. Disposable price, full-length sized, compact, 16 sides, 7mm shaft.

No, Hermes, I don't see how it can function as an ordinary umbrella without being modified which is probably what I will wind up doing. Epoxying the 7mm rod into the adapter rod and the adapter rod into the fixed shaft of the PLM is really all that would be required. The sliding collar would still come free of the PLM's fixed shaft when the umbrella is collapsed but, with the the adapter rod and 7mm rod permanently in place, realignment and reassembly would take only seconds.

Dave F.

Ha wow, you guys expect quite a bit for what, like 30-40 bucks? I spent more than that at the bar last night.

It looks ok. I'll reserve judgment until I can get my hands on one.

Nice federal mirror, btw.

tetrode wrote in post #10810578
So, according to Paul, when using the 7mm rod, the PLM can be closed like an ordinary umbrella once the locking thumbscrew is loosened. Not true. As can be seen in the photo, that single thumbscrew is responsible for holding the PLM's fixed shaft, adapter rod, and 7mm rod in place. In order to collapse the PLM, the thumbscrew must be backed out far enough to release the umbrella's fixed shaft. As the thumbscrew is loosened, it releases first the 7mm rod and then the adapter rod. Both of those pieces are then no longer attached to the fixed shaft and are free to slide out of the fixed shaft if the PLM shaft is tilted downward. Remember, too, that the PLM's fixed shaft comes entirely free of the sliding collar when the umbrella is collapsed.

One other thing I wanted to point out in this photo: If you look carefully, you'll see that the threaded hole for the locking screw on my PLM V2 was tapped at an angle; it isn't square to the collar. Quality control?

Dave F.

Thanks for the clarification, Dave. I see exactly what you mean now. So if I prefer to use the cage over the 7mm shaft for my Elinchrom, I'd have to disassemble it and reassemble. I guess it's still simpler than putting up an octa, which I don't mind doing.

Regardless of marketing, hype, etc. I think Paul's usual comments are disgusting.

He should just shut the hell up. Every time he defends his products he looks like a jackass and says the most ridiculous things.

Sorry Paul, It's a f*cking umbrella!

I couldn't resist after all:

http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/topic/91489​2/7#8797041

If you're looking for me, I'll be in my fallout shelter.

Dave F.

Rob,
That statement is irresponsible without testing.
I have several of the V1s and they are definitely superior to umbrellas.
All the hupla about the V2 was to get the center of the PLM centered over the center of the light source.
I suspect that that will further differentiate the V2 PLM from an umbrella.

It seems to me a small investment to purchase and test the V2 silver when they are available.

The white, which I use as a china lantern type modifier is, in my opinion, not what one should use to base an evaluation of the PLM.

The centering mechanism appears to be a logical approach. That's not to imply that its execution is optimal.

TMR Design wrote in post #10810668
Regardless of marketing, hype, etc. I think Paul's usual comments are disgusting.

He should just shut the hell up. Every time he defends his products he looks like a jackass and says the most ridiculous things.

Sorry Paul, It's a f*cking umbrella!

Robert is a "rounder umbrella"



However I do agree with Robert and that Paul should not take constructive criticism as an attack. CC is crucial if the "maker" is willing to listen.

While waiting for Mount Luap to explode, I thought I'd post another image showing the PLM V2 mounted on an Elinchrom 600RX using he 7mm shaft rather than the "cage":

Other than that shot of a drummer with his kit I still haven't seen anything or anyone to show me what all the excitement is about.

I'm so tired of reading thew blurbs from Paul about how amazing his products are and all the comparisons to other brands. No one else does that. No one.

So I'd love for someone to show me the magic of the PLM. I've asked about a dozen times and the examples posted were a joke.

No one is doing comparisons. I haven't seen this greater efficiency and for what it's worth, if you use it as a bounce or as an umbrella softbox then it's just fancy Softlighter with the flash head and light stand in the catch light.

SO, if people don't like my speculation and negative comments then I would love to be proven wrong, but so far that hasn't happened and all I hear is more hype and people defending Paul.

SHOW ME. STOP TALKING AND SHOW ME, and then I'll back down.

It appears that an opportunity was missed to allow the PLM V2 to be easily converted into a fixed 7mm shaft type of umbrella. Here's a picture of the PLM's tip:

For anyone that owns a AB Ring Flash I would suggest trying using it with it's Umbrella Adapter.
This will center the flash with it's MUCH larger flash tube in this umbrella and not have to even deal with this extra cage.

tetrode wrote in post #10810915
It appears that an opportunity was missed to allow the PLM V2 to be easily converted into a fixed 7mm shaft type of umbrella. Here's a picture of the PLM's tip:
http://farm5.static.fl​ickr.com/4075/49384665​68_2b8063d7a4_o.jpg
If, instead of using a rivet, a thumbscrew had been used to secure the PLM's fixed shaft, it would have been possible to use said thumbscrew to secure both the adapter rod and 7mm rod at the tip end of the umbrella. By attaching the 7mm rod at the tip of the umbrella, it would be possible to open and close the PLM like an ordinary umbrella while still using the internal thumbscrew to lock the PLM in the open position.

Just a thought.

Dave F.

Can you take another look at that rivet? It looks like a set screw to me in that picture, I can see 6 distinct sides in the center.

That certainly looks like a hex head set screw from here.