Chimera strip box 14x56 a quick review

i recently purchased a couple of Chimera super pro plus strip boxes 14"x56" and i have been asked to report my findings

first off i have 3 other Chimera super pro boxes and really like the quality of light and build these boxes offer, so i was confident these strips would not dissapoint.

the chimera super pro boxes all have the abilty to mount as many as 3 strobes inside using special speedrings, kind of a neat option i haven't tried

first an inside look at the box, the rods are completely hidden, and you will notice the box bows out at the top and bottom only to taper back in towards the front diffusion panel

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

next up is the inner diffusion panel :

the inner diffusion panel on most boxes is suspended from the outer corners, not so with the strips

the inner diffusion panel adheres to the corners of the box using velcro BUT fits tightly to the interior walls of the box so as not to let light escape around the diffuser anywhere.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

next up is the front diffusion panel :

the front diffusion panel is recessed and adheres to the box using velcro, there is also enough velcro left in front of the diffuser to mount grids which unfortunately are optional.
the front diffusion panel fits nicely and gives the box a pretty rectangular shape when it is attached

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

lastly is a side profile :

the strip box is relatively deep, about 21"
ok, so you know what it looks like now the light output :

this is nothing scientific but there is a 1 stop difference in the output from the middle of the box to the top and bottom of the box, for those of you that enjoy a hotspot there is 1 stop

to even the spread of light i feel the translucent deflectors offered by elinchrom will more than handle this task

i haven't had a chance to try out this strip box yet so i don't have any real world samples to show you

*note* a few of you are observant enough to look past the box at my background and see i have a cove at the top and bottom of the wall eliminating any corners for full length portraits, i have a basement studio and space is limited to 8'

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

So ... you think grids should be mandatory or compulsory? National Socialist!



Good work Martin. Now go shoot some stuff so we can see the in action.

Exact same look and construction of the large SUper Pro Plus I just got. Thanks for the images.

I was already convinced. They Chimera boxes are really well made and the light is gorgeous.

I see you're using the Chimera Octa Speed ring and I'm assuming you need to use it to have the rods coming out at the correct angle.

Does this mean that the Quick Release speed ring can't be used with the strips?

mickeyjuice wrote in post #11308147
So ... you think grids should be mandatory or compulsory? National Socialist!



Good work Martin. Now go shoot some stuff so we can see the in action.

My answer to that question is this...

Grids are mandatory with strip boxes.

YMMV

mickeyjuice wrote in post #11308147
So ... you think grids should be mandatory or compulsory? National Socialist!



Good work Martin. Now go shoot some stuff so we can see the in action.

i said grips are optional Mic however i do like them

TMR Design wrote in post #11308457
Exact same look and construction of the large SUper Pro Plus I just got. Thanks for the images.

I was already convinced. They Chimera boxes are really well made and the light is gorgeous.

I see you're using the Chimera Octa Speed ring and I'm assuming you need to use it to have the rods coming out at the correct angle.

Does this mean that the Quick Release speed ring can't be used with the strips?

Rob i thought it would need the octa ring but i was wrong, the box uses the regular 2170 ring (4 corner) and the box is football shaped top and bottom a quick release ring will work

FJ LOVE wrote in post #11308490
i said grips are optional Mic however i do like them

Rob i thought it would need the octa ring but i was wrong, the box uses the regular 2170 ring (4 corner) and the box is football shaped top and bottom a quick release ring will work

Thank you. I just got an email response from another POTN/Chimera user and he confirmed exactly what you just said.

He also indicated that using the QR with the strips and standard robs did put a bend in the rods so I suspect the short rods are necessary to relieve a bit of that tension and make it slightly easier to set up and break down.

I just ordered the short rods for my 54" x 72" Super Pro Plus with QR. Even though I initially felt they are not necessary, I can now see that they would be useful and make the process of set up and breakdown a bit faster, especially on location.

Looks like more and more people are finding Chimera is great quality and service.
I love these strips... Thanks for taking the time to post.