Help upgrade my softboxes / modifiers please?

Should have a leftover budget of around $500-600 after selling a couple of pieces of gear. Primary use of lighting is for portrait work both indoor and out.

Currently have Elinchrom D-Lite 4 system (2 strobes) with the two standard softboxes that came with the set. One is the 25.5" and the other a bit smaller. Also have a 430 EX II that I'd like to incorporate into the setup.

Better softboxes / modifiers? What size/configuration? How much $$? Beauty dish? Grids?

Help me spend my money wisely, please!

dave

I'm not sure how you are using your lights, but the PCB PLM's are a pretty good value for the money. The larger ones in silver with the diffusion screens are nice, although the 86 might even be too big.

53" Elinchrom octa would be a nice addition.

Families? Individual portraits? Seniors?

It all makes a difference.

I love my PLMs. I also love my deep octabox. I can use it with or without either of the front diffusers for different looks.

CosmoKid wrote in post #11751604
Families? Individual portraits? Seniors?

It all makes a difference.

I love my PLMs. I also love my deep octabox. I can use it with or without either of the front diffusers for different looks.

Good point and thanks for asking. Primary would be seniors, (individual) and secondary would be families.

Suggestions based on that info? Thank you!

dave

For Seniors, I really like the Elinchrom 39" DO. You can shoot it bare, with only the inside diffuser, the outside diffuser, or both. Both diffusers will give you a very soft light. Using each individually with give a different quality of light. You also can get close to the look of a beauty dish.

I use that in combo with PLMs and umbrellas, for the most part. I have rectangular softboxes and strips. The strips get used a little but not for a main, for me.

The PLMs are versatile as well. Silver with the diffuser is super soft. Take off the diffuser and it becomes a bit more contrasty. The big ones are a good size for families or full body for models.

39" Deep octa is a wonderful and gives you nice options if you are shooting one to two people at a push.

The 53" has a wider coverage so gives you more lighting options.

You cant really go wrong either way.

Get both

Gonzo, Cosmo, Sylvester:

Thank you for your input. Appreciate it. I think what's next for me is the 64" PLM silver umbrella. The larger 30-foot one won't fit anywhere indoors that I have to shoot. I see that PCB provides a speed ring for my Elinchrom units. Good deal, there. Will probably buy the front diffuser as well.

Secondly, I'm also liking the 39" DO box you guys recommended. Hey, if it's good enough for Pham, what the heck, huh?!!! Will see how the funds hold out and just maybe spring for the 53" DO unit.

Thanks again guys. I quickly outgrew the tiny softboxes that Elinchrom shipped with my D-Lite 4 kit. Kind of figured that much.

dave

What ever you get, get it with a grid option.

windpig wrote in post #11759796
What ever you get, get it with a grid option.

Didn't see any grids in the 'optional gear' section with each item. Provide a link for me so I know what I'm looking for? Thank you!

dave

snyderman wrote in post #11759829
Didn't see any grids in the 'optional gear' section with each item. Provide a link for me so I know what I'm looking for? Thank you!

dave

All I'm saying is that whatever modifier you choose, get one that has a grid as an option.

I have the 27 X 27 Rotolux with the optional grid. That wouldn't make scense for you because it's to close to what you have. I'm hoping Elinchrom adds more grids to their line.

I also have a 22" Kasey BD with the sock and grid.

Any of the the 53 midi and 39 DO would require an aftermarket grid from Lighttools, they are pretty pricey, but I still may go with one for either the 53 or DO.

How large or small a space are you planning on shooting?

windpig wrote in post #11759918
All I'm saying is that whatever modifier you choose, get one that has a grid as an option.

I have the 27 X 27 Rotolux with the optional grid. That wouldn't make scense for you because it's to close to what you have. I'm hoping Elinchrom adds more grids to their line.

I also have a 22" Kasey BD with the sock and grid.

Any of the the 53 midi and 39 DO would require an aftermarket grid from Lighttools, they are pretty pricey, but I still may go with one for either the 53 or DO.

How large or small a space are you planning on shooting?

Fairly large finished basement area with about 16' on the wide side and up to 20' of distance between backdrop and me for shooting distance. Decent room laterally for lighting. Ceiling height of 9' in the basement. Might move to garage for more room if it ever warms up beyond 20 degrees or so!

dave

Go Rotalux - so much easier to put up and down.

53 Octa is wonderful, but for a bit of variety, the Deep Octa gives the option of a beauty dish look without the diffusers, as mentioned. Grids are very handy to control spill and give more positioning options.

I also have a 70cm square Rotalux, which gives window-like catchlights. I find the shape and size makes it much better for tabletop still life than an octa.

I work in my speedlites by firing them with RF-602 and the Elinchroms then trigger optically. Speedlite makes a good hair light or background effect light with a Lumiquest snoot.

Edit: just noticed your ceiling height. That's workable, but bear in mind that the deep octa is, erm, deep, if you want to try and get it up there. Speaking of which, a boom (Manfrotto 420?) is almost essential for some portrait styles. And if you want control, painting the ceiling black/grey will make a big difference.