Elinchrom Reflector

[jonnybloo]

Hi there

Im looking at selling the 16cm reflector that came with the D-Lite 4's and buying the 21cm reflector and a shallow grid/honeycomb to try and control rim/hairlights etc a little better.

I looked at the 18cm version too but opted for the 21cm as it seems this will allow me to add accessories/barn doors in future.

From what i have read people generally use 20 degree grids. I have never used one though and cant actually afford to get the full set to figure this out myself.

Does anyone have experience of these grids and can offer any example pictures of how much light they spread etc ?

Also, i realise often cheap chinese ebay imports can be rubbish but does anyone have any experience with grids i.e. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/For-Elinc...242?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item231f14f01a

Surely a smaller component like this is worth a punt ? compared to the costs of buying the genuine set? Or is it!!

 

[Garry Edwards]

20 degree honeycombs are by far the most popular, and the most useful for most things. They have two primary functions, one is to reduce the spread of light on the subject and the other is to reduce the risk of flare, because a 20 degree honeycomb stops the light from spreading out more than 20 degrees.

Other flavours, such as 10 degree, 5 degree, are mainly used for still life photography - they are wonderful tools for things that keep still, but if you're planning to photograph people you will usually find that a small movement of the model means that the light ends up in the wrong place...

If you PM me your email address I can send you a photo showing the amount of light spread produced by the various different honeycombs.

AFAIK the various honeycombs made in China are made in the same factory, they are perfectly OK.

Edit: A word of warning. Turn the modelling lamp off immediately after setting up the light. Leaving it on will result in an expensive, terminal bang.

 

[jonnybloo]

PM on its way, thanks Garry

Sounds like the 20 degree is the better for my needs then

Good to know with regards to the honeycombs too, makes a huge difference price wise and gives me the option of trying a couple of other sizes where necessary.

I did wonder about the modelling lamp, i have seen a few notes on the genuine elinchroms grids to say they are compatible with modelling lights (i think!) but probably wouldnt chance it anyway (especially if i got the chinese versions)

 

[tiler65]

Edit: A word of warning. Turn the modelling lamp off immediately after setting up the light. Leaving it on will result in an expensive, terminal bang.

Garry, will the lights go bang even if the lights are fitted with fans, just wondered?

 

[Garry Edwards]

Garry, will the lights go bang even if the lights are fitted with fans, just wondered?

Probably, not worth the risk IMO.
I once blew up an Elinchrom head very dramatically because I forgot to turn off the modelling lamp, entirely my fault. The fan basically keeps the inside at a reasonable operating temperature, but the heat from the modelling lamp can become intense, especially with if it's a 'tight' honeycomb, and the fan can't be expected to cope with that.

 

[jonnybloo]

Garry, as per the email, thanks for the honeycomb example, exactly what i was looking for. Seems to be the ideal adapter to try and control light for my needs. One 16cm standard reflector getting sold, not worth much to me with softboxes on the lights.

 

[domino1999]

Edit: A word of warning. Turn the modelling lamp off immediately after setting up the light. Leaving it on will result in an expensive, terminal bang.

Ooh, I'd not heard that before. Good job, as I'm just about to invest in grids for my reflector and beauty dish. Thanks Garry

Darren

 

[alexam]

Not at all sure about this, but wouldn't a grid on a beauty dish defeat the object of the beauty dish somewhat?

 

[Paintedhead123]

Hi guys, just been reading the posts about blowing model lights. I have a pair of lencarta smartflash 200 with soft boxs is it wise to turn off the model lamps on these or is just when using the grids..

Cheers

Jason

 

[Garry Edwards]

Not at all sure about this, but wouldn't a grid on a beauty dish defeat the object of the beauty dish somewhat?

Not really, it produces a different kind of light, which isn't necessarily either better or worse, and it also makes the beauty dish much more versatile.

The effect, as with any other honeycomb, is to 'tighten' the light into a smaller area (and of course, used as a backlight, it reduces/avoids flare). This makes the light more controllable and harder, which, if photographing say a cosmetics model, can produce a stunning result - but just don't try photographing her mother with it

And you get a different effect again if you fit both a honeycomb and a diffuser - with the diffuser fitted over the honeycomb, the light is harsh and directional but is softened enough not to show every pore.

 

[alexam]

Thanks for that Garry.

However, what about the 'wrap-around' effect from the beauty dish? Isn't that effect lost, making the light making it far more directional?

 

[Garry Edwards]

Thanks for that Garry.

However, what about the 'wrap-around' effect from the beauty dish? Isn't that effect lost, making the light making it far more directional?

Yes. But then I don't use a beauty dish for that purpose, I use it to create shadow. Edit: This shot in fact was with a softbox, but used in the same position as a beauty dish.