Photek Softlighter Recommendation

g0bl0k wrote in post #11724089
how about Steve Kaeser's umbrella softbox for another option? it's very affordable compared to softlighter and qbox, several ppl are using it and have been getting good results.

edit: on another thought, your flash will be off-center as well just like softlighter

Right. Unless you create or build a bracket that gets the flash in the center, you're going to find the same thing with any brolly type device.

Thanks TMR. I think I'll continue researching the SL. Does it pack up easily for location work?

sinjans wrote in post #11724345
Thanks TMR. I think I'll continue researching the SL. Does it pack up easily for location work?

I would look at what other people have done and maybe have a go at creating something from available parts.

I think it's worth it to be able to have the standard Softlighter with the flash head and the opening in the diffusion pane in the center.

There's a number of brackets that allow you to use speedlites mounted centrally in light modifiers. http://www.cheetahstan​d.com …-Speed-Pro-Bracket/Detail But if you're going to use multiple speedlites then you might need to fabricate something yourself.

FYI. They are back in stock at BH.

As long as this old(ish) thread has been revivified, I thought I'd toss out another option: The Ersatz Softlighter. By that I mean any umbrella up to a diameter of approximately 47" can be turned into a Softlighter workalike with the addition of the $16 front diffusion panel meant for the 51" Paul Buff PLM. The PLM diffusion panels are held in place by an elastic cord sewn into their perimeter. The fit isn't specific to the PLM. I've used the diffusion panel on a 45" Calumet umbrella for example. For larger umbrellas, there's the diffusion panel meant for the 64" PLM.

One reason you might want to consider doing this (apart from cost) is that the Softlighters do not have a true silver interior. The 46" is supplied with accessory silver panels that can be slid under the umbrella's ribs but they're a bit of a nuisance to install and they don't cover the entire interior. Taking the a la carte approach, you would be able to mate the PLM diffuser with a silver surfaced umbrella. Then too, you might already own a perfectly good 45" silver umbrella in which case all you'd need is the front panel.

Of course, the easiest alternative is to just get a 51" silver PLM V2 with the front diffusion cover.

Dave F.

Hmm, I use the silver insert with my Softlighter all the time and don't find it to be a pain at all.

The insert is intentionally small and the interior of the Softlighter is intentionally not silver. Remember, the name is Softlighter and ultimately producing soft light is the idea. Adding the smaller silver insert gives a very nice balance of soft light with a little punch.

TMR Design wrote in post #11805050
Hmm, I use the silver insert with my Softlighter all the time and don't find it to be a pain at all.

The insert is intentionally small and the interior of the Softlighter is intentionally not silver. Remember, the name is Softlighter and ultimately producing soft light is the idea. Adding the smaller silver insert gives a very nice balance of soft light with a little punch.

The insert is something else to carry and must be installed every time the umbrella is opened since the SL can't be closed with the silver panel in place. That, to me, is a nuisance, especially since I use the panel whenever I use the SL with shoe-mount flash units. Having a silver-surfaced umbrella in the first place makes things quicker and easier while maximizing light output at minimal perceptible adverse impact on softness. With studio lights, the stock SL II is perfect.

All a matter of taste and motivation, Rob

Dave F.

tetrode wrote in post #11805273
All a matter of taste and motivation, Rob

Absolutely, Dave.

tetrode wrote in post #11804965
By that I mean any umbrella up to a diameter of approximately 47" can be turned into a Softlighter workalike with the addition of the $16 front diffusion panel meant for the 51" Paul Buff PLM. The PLM diffusion panels are held in place by an elastic cord sewn into their perimeter. The fit isn't specific to the PLM. I've used the diffusion panel on a 45" Calumet umbrella for example.

How do you think it would work with the Westcott 43" collapsible umbrellas? Too small? This would really be nice for the portable, strobist approach.

lazer-jock wrote in post #11812496
How do you think it would work with the Westcott 43" collapsible umbrellas? Too small? This would really be nice for the portable, strobist approach.

Interesting thought! I have a Westcott collapsible. I'll give it a try and report back.

Dave F.

tetrode wrote in post #11812636
Interesting thought! I have a Westcott collapsible. I'll give it a try and report back.

Dave F.

Is there any modifier you DO NOT have, Dave.

tetrode wrote in post #11812636
Interesting thought! I have a Westcott collapsible. I'll give it a try and report back.

Dave F.

Thanks. I appreciate it.

lazer-jock wrote in post #11812722
Thanks. I appreciate it.

Well, you piqued my curiosity so I ran downstairs and gave it a try. It actually worked very well. The PLM front diffusion cover has a drawstring type of setup on its elastic band so it's possible to tighten it up some for the smaller diameter Westcott collapsible. It looks a little like a baggy suit on someone who's lost 10 or 15 pounds but, so what?

I tested briefly by mounting the 43" Westcott collapsible with silver interior on a PCB Einstein. For a reflector I used the AB USK "spill kill" which is a very shallow, 7-1/2 inch saucer-shaped affair. The Westcott umbrella is quite shallow so most strobes would probably have to be backed down the umbrella shaft a bit to allow full interior coverage. The Einstein with the USK reflector offers a tremendously wide dispersion pattern so it was possible to position the light pretty far up the shaft and still retain full interior coverage.

Meter readings taken a few inches from the diffusion material and around its face fell within a spread of .3 or .4 f/stops. This was a *very* quick test so I'd like to have an opportunity to verify those readings. With the Einstein powered down to 60Ws to simulate a 580EX or SB-900 class flash unit, I was metering a little over f/8 at about 3' and ISO 200.

I'd say the small Westcott with the PLM diffuser seems to be a pretty good combination bearing in mind the need to position the strobe properly to insure good illumination of the umbrella interior. I think there's enough potential here to warrant retesting the setup with one of my Elinchroms.

And Leo, while I do have a sizable collection of lighting tchotchkes, most of the modifiers are of the bargain basement variety. I own two Rotaluxes and a gaggle of no-names. In any case, doesn't everyone own at least one collapsible Westcott umbrella?

Dave F.

tetrode wrote in post #11813086
... doesn't everyone own at least one collapsible Westcott umbrella?

Nope.