Mega Big Brolly...

THE-BIG-MAN-SAYS

THE-BIG-MAN-SAYS

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Stevie
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No
The seem pretty cheap but...
They're described as parabolic, but they're not.
They won't work with the hotshoe flashguns shown in the photos (or at least not unless the reflectors can be removed)
I can't see any point in the shoot through version.
 
Garry Edwards said:
The seem pretty cheap but...
They're described as parabolic, but they're not.
Click to expand...
What are they then?


Garry Edwards said:
They won't work with the hotshoe flashguns shown in the photos (or at least not unless the reflectors can be removed)
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Not sure if I follow you. Looks like they should work to me - or am I missing something?
 
arad85 said:
What are they then?


Not sure if I follow you. Looks like they should work to me - or am I missing something?
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What are they?
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They are reflective umbrellas with a fairly shallow dish shape. 'Parabolic' is a shape that reflects (or projects) parrallel rays, which these umbrellas cannot do.

Looks like they should work to me - or am I missing something?
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You're missing something:) Even set to the widest angle possible, the light from a hotshoe flash can't fill the umbrella, therefore it may as well be much smaller than it is. But used 'barebulb' it will work as claimed. By no means all hotshoe flashes can be used barebulb though.
 
Garry Edwards said:
They are reflective umbrellas with a fairly shallow dish shape. 'Parabolic' is a shape that reflects (or projects) parrallel rays, which these umbrellas cannot do.

You're missing something:) Even set to the widest angle possible, the light from a hotshoe flash can't fill the umbrella, therefore it may as well be much smaller than it is. But used 'barebulb' it will work as claimed. By no means all hotshoe flashes can be used barebulb though.
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they are essentially versions of the (very) popular PLM from alienbees. The owner of cotswold camera even got people who had the PLM to compare them.
plm-reflector.jpg


deep-para.jpg

images from http://www.studiolighting.net/paul-buff-plm-review/


Yes, not true 'deep' parabolic - but when the light head is in the right position on the shaft, as close as you'll get this side of a grand.

And yes, that is true... but bash a stofen on the hotshoe flash, and other than it eating a stop of light, it'd be fine. Of course, will still be better with a flash head.

The second that they release the 85" version, I'll be buying one - can't afford the profoto ubergiant reflectors at the mo :P
 
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Garry Edwards said:
They are reflective umbrellas with a fairly shallow dish shape. 'Parabolic' is a shape that reflects (or projects) parrallel rays, which these umbrellas cannot do.

You're missing something:) Even set to the widest angle possible, the light from a hotshoe flash can't fill the umbrella, therefore it may as well be much smaller than it is. But used 'barebulb' it will work as claimed. By no means all hotshoe flashes can be used barebulb though.
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Aha... Thanks :)
 
itsdavedotnet said:
Yes, not true 'deep' parabolic - but when the light head is in the right position on the shaft, as close as you'll get this side of a grand.

And yes, that is true... but bash a stofen on the hotshoe flash, and other than it eating a stop of light, it'd be fine. Of course, will still be better with a flash head.

The second that they release the 85" version, I'll be buying one.
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Thanks for that explanation too :)
 
Yeah the "issue" with those paras is that light position is absolutely critical. Move the head an inch or too in or out and the amount of light changes dramatically. If the brolly is too big for the source then they aren't going to work very efficiently.

Having said that, I've used a biggish flat para (um, 1.8m??) with a studio head and it was really nice. Great look for the money.
 
I have one of these, but as mentioned before if the light is not precisely in middle it won't have any parabolic effect. I use it as large light source (as any reflective umbrella), very nice and soft. For the money I would say it is worth it, also think that you need heavy duty umbrella adapter if used with speedlites as the umbrella weights quite a bit. Here is a shot I done with the umbrella, http://flic.kr/p/8VsS7w
 
85"! Man, I think my 60" brolly is big.
 
THANKS FOR ALL THE REPLIES AND HELP....

Think I'm waiting till December (Xmas & Birthday)...85" on the way and more options...by then might have a studio organised...

STEVIER
 
Just an update here, just had word through from cotswold photo, the 85" parabolic umbrellas wil be arriving in the UK this wednesday.

Stevie, check quite how big your space is, an 85" umbrella is BIG. Like, Seriously big. Lots of places, I have issues using my 60" umbrella.

Totally having one of the first 85"s to arrive in the country though...
 
itsdavedotnet said:
Just an update here, just had word through from cotswold photo, the 85" parabolic umbrellas wil be arriving in the UK this wednesday.

Stevie, check quite how big your space is, an 85" umbrella is BIG. Like, Seriously big. Lots of places, I have issues using my 60" umbrella.

Totally having one of the first 85"s to arrive in the country though...
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Yep.

A ten foot ceiling isn't nearly enough.

I do like the psuedo ringlight fill light from behind photographer though.
 
Oh no more indecision...more versatile though...

AND 20% OFF...!!!

So £28...

A tough decision...

STEVIER
 
I realise one is more of a big floodlight...

the other a bit more versatile...

But surely there is a cross over as both are large silver lined and can do the same thing...but obviously the latter can be more versatile...

Or maybe Im just wrong...so feel free to put me right...

STEVIER
 
Size - do not underestimate the size of the 86, it is much larger than the extra inches over the 60 would imply. Difficult to get shadows under the chin in a domestic environment.

Surface - one is silver, the other is white with silver backing.

Light output - completely different, with one more of a traditional umbrella style flood (with a beautiful soft light), while the PLM more of a giant harder reflector (without the front diffuser any roads).

Position - PLM has the head level (with a spill kill) with the edges and is kinda focusable, the umbrella is used further out and is not.

Bare PLM sometimes gives very weird multiple shadows, from the 16 silver panels.

They are very different beasts...
 
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THE-BIG-MAN-SAYS said:
Been keepin an eye on the store flash...did you just put a cheeky offer in...?

I actually fancy this for XMAS & BIRTHDAY...http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Calumet-Genes...t_RL&hash=item255f837527#ht_2574wt_1139...and this...http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Calumet-Genes...uipment_RL&hash=item230c51fa1f#ht_3083wt_1139

Thanks for the info Kris...

STEVIER
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No, that was the price they were doing them for. Actually they have a phone number that you can call the Ebay/clearance team on, might be worth giving them a call and seeing if they can do you a deal....
 
THE-BIG-MAN-SAYS said:
Been keepin an eye on the store flash...did you just put a cheeky offer in...?

I actually fancy this for XMAS & BIRTHDAY...http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Calumet-Genes...t_RL&hash=item255f837527#ht_2574wt_1139...and this...http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Calumet-Genes...uipment_RL&hash=item230c51fa1f#ht_3083wt_1139

More power for shootin out and about...one of my plans for next year...

Thanks for the info Kris...

STEVIER
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Ahem....

Yep, I have one of those too.

I must sound like a Calumet employee.

The genesis 300b and power pack is very similar in many ways to my Elinchrom quadra. Maybe too similar for the price. Highly recommended, as are their 200s and 400s. I got the 20% off at the time I bought it as my girl had a student union card.
 
My mates got both these and the quadras...each in its place but he loves them...!!!

Woo Hoo...Lookin forward to XMAS now...

STEVIER
 
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As do I.

The beauty of the 300b is the ac/dc, whereas the quadra is dc only. Buy the 300b head now, and get the battery later.

The beauty of the quadra is its size.
 
I Also have a 550EX and battery pack...(a 420EX and couple of cheap ones) for lighter use...but this would cover the bigger power shots...like I say...got a few ideas for next year...

Maybe build up by adding another head for studio...later...and as req...

STEVIER
 
I've heard good things about them.

Only thing that might put me off is they are imported from Krakow (I think), with all that entails.

NB - on the 300b run off battery, dont believe what Calumet say about a 7 second full charge recycle. Mine recharge in about two to three secs to full throughout the battery life. God knows why, maybe I have a super duper special version!
 
Maybe Santa had the elves do a special for you...

OK...

Silly I know...

That cannot happen...


Cause it was not out last year...!!!


STEVIER
 
Had a rethink...and Im going to get both the 64" Para and the 60" Calumet...

Best of both Worlds...

STEVIER
 
Roll on Trevor getting the front diffuser covers in for these things. I use mine with a home made diffuser cover butchered from

- an Ebay Umbrella box (for the nylon tube, zip and pullstring section),
- then a ripstop nylon sheet for the rest
- and gromits for attaching to the end of the spokes around the outer rim.

It looks heath robinson but does work well. Hopefully the proper made item will look better.
 
THE-BIG-MAN-SAYS said:
Had a rethink...and Im going to get both the 64" Para and the 60" Calumet...

Best of both Worlds...

STEVIER
Click to expand...

probably a good plan, this one is crazy big, like, won't fit in most rooms big... I have a use though...

kris, yeah, will be sweet.
 
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Im not home at the mo, will sort out....

Its a pretty easy mock up though.

This...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280600065010&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
for the flash connectiony bits

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380097743444&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
but bigger for the sheet

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300489773738&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
for the holey bits out on the ends.

plus a few bits of velcro.

plus a seamstress and you're in like Flynn.
 
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