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should have mine tomorrow but i do not have the white version to compare the two
Posted 33 months ago.
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That's cool can you post some samples when you get a chance thanks
Posted 33 months ago.
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just came in. it looks like a large bowl. the bottom is flat and the sides come out at an angle from the base but are otherwise almost straight.
I have to 'install' the reflector. i'll try and get some picture up of the unit tonight or tomorrow at the latest. may not be able to shoot with it for a couple of days but we'll see maybe sooner
the 'direct light blocker' goes thru a hole on the dish and is mounted using the umbrella holder - i don't think i like this setup but it will be very quick & easy to take if off and use it as a large sports type reflector
Posted 33 months ago.
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i have to say these seem like a bargain with the $20 off for the scratches on the back (very slight and only on the back). If it works as well as I think, i may pick up a couple more
Posted 33 months ago.
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oops, never mind - I see the price at the site - $79 ain't bad!
Originally posted 33 months ago.
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wpjma edited this topic 33 months ago.
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they have them discounted now due to the scratches and the scratched are nothing to worry about - barely noticeable
this is what it looks like - i already attached the blocker to the shaft (the sock is in the plastic bag - this also shows the textured inside well
set up took all of a minute - sory for the crappy shot it was very dark
first shot - i didn't use my cybers and could only go up to a shutter speed of 200 not the 250 with the wireless (odd I thought)
then the puppy ran off
but he came back
these were quick shots so take it easy ..... i do think they offer a nice idea for the kind of highlights you will be able to get with this. I only mounted this quick to a regular stand but it really needs to go on a boom or arm - won't get around to that for a couple of days
Originally posted 33 months ago.
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toddmitchell edited this topic 33 months ago.
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thanx for the examples anyway... I don't really like that the "reflecting plate" is attached to the umbrella hole...
Posted 33 months ago.
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With the new beauty dish you don't need a grid, the light naturally comes out at 45 degrees.
Posted 33 months ago.
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Thanks for the example shots tod they look cool. Yeah, I see what your saying about the light blocker
Thank again
Posted 33 months ago.
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the two piece design is really not bad - it only takes a second to put it on and you can use the dish with it off for a longer throw so it couls double as a sports reflector
i didn't like it at first but the idea is really growing on me
also about the grids - you will not get the sharp cut off without the grid. the dish may only throw 45 degrees but it feathers out a lot wider with a soft gentile cut off - with a grid you get the sharp fast cut off - paul said they will be coming out with new tighter grids
Posted 33 months ago.
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So if buying a beauty dish right now, which does everyone recommend, the old or the new one?
Posted 33 months ago.
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Looks like the BD is next on my list! I was thinking of another AB800, but definately the BD first. Thanks for the sample photos.
Originally posted 33 months ago.
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ABNSphotography.com edited this topic 33 months ago.
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for what I use a beauty dish for, I don't want it to look like it's got a 45 deg grid on it.
if I want a grid, I'll put one one.
that is a helluva deal though if you can get one with a scratch on the outside.
Posted 33 months ago.
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If you put on the included sock, the light output changes to 150 degrees of soft light. You can't beat that kind of versatility for $59.
Posted 33 months ago.
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i think the 45 degree thing is way off 45 degree is where the light is more focused but it has a gradual fall off
'If you put on the included sock, the light output changes to 150 degrees of soft light. You can't beat that kind of versatility for $59'
I agree 110%
but the other thing is if you want a softer light you should probably buy a soft box why try to mak every mod produce the same light?
Posted 33 months ago.
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Based on these pictures of the actual dish, I won't be picking up the new one (I already have the old one)
Posted 33 months ago.
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I think there are a couple of advantages to the new one (I do not own a old style nor have i ever used one). I will also agree that these may not be advantages for everyone ymmv
1. much cheaper
2. better specular highlights with silver vs. white
3. more efficient and without the direct light blocker it can be used as a sports reflector
4. it comes with the sock and can be used in the same way as the old dish
but if I have the old one i wouldn't dish (pun intended) out more money for this unless i needed a sports reflector (which i don't)
Posted 33 months ago.
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I wanted it as a second dish because I dented my current one and the grid doesn't go on and off easily. But the build quality on the old one looks to be worth the extra $$$ in my humble opinion.
Posted 33 months ago.
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I'll get one only so I can save weight by not using a grid!
Posted 33 months ago.
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I've been reading this topic for a few days and I saw the rsults and did not like them, but it comes with the sock!?!?
I did not know that.
I would love to see comparisons of the new dish with and without the sock on a wall, from the same distance, from the same power.
Posted 33 months ago.
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i would also like to see the comparison
Posted 33 months ago.
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ozzie what didn't you like?
Posted 33 months ago.
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I just ordered one. Frig it for $59 you can't beat it. I got too much other crap to buy right now to drop over $200 on other dish. Plus for $59 I can easily re-sell to someone locally and atleast get my money back later when I have more money to purchase more expensive one.
Posted 33 months ago.
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The light just looks too hot. If I were to get this beauty dish [which I don't plan to] but if I were, I would always use it with the sock. The light without the sock just seems like it's too harsh for skin tones. Of course I am looking at the photos through my monitor at work, so I'm not sure how much I can trust it.
The alienbee's website even calls it a "high output".
I'm going to search and see if I find any shots that compare the BD with and without the sock: metering, light spread, light loss, etc.
The old BD looks more attractive... but if the sock can replicate the old BD to about the same details, I could always buy the new one and use the sock all the time... we will see.
Posted 33 months ago.
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paul said the output with the sock is very similar to the old dish (and you can use the sock with or without the direct light plate
Posted 33 months ago.
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from Paul (about the beam pattern)
Very much narrower. The point of 1f falloff on the 22 High Output beauty dish is at 45° (22.5° each side of center), The -1f point on the original white beauty dish without sock is about 150° (75° each side of center). 45° yields about a 100" circle at 10' thus can light a model head to toe easily.
With the sock on the HO dish the pattern is on the order of 140° . . . about 160° on the white dish with sock.
As I mentioned before, one cannot accurately measure angle of angles this wide against a flat wall because at a 90° coverage angle with the light 10' from a flat wall the center of the pattern is 10' from the light and the 90° point is 14' from the light. Thus the 90° point (45° each side of center) will measure -2f because of inverse square law light propagation. We actually use a curved, calibrated, board with a 10' arc for accurate measurements.
Because the 22" Beauty dish is rather shallow with regard to its diameter a good bit of the light from the flashtube fails to strike the outer edges of the dish so appears as unfocused spill light. Thus the pattern outside the 45° beamwidth is very feathered and extends out to around 100°. This is very useful for most shots because it eliminates the "spotlight" look - sharp cutoff outside the primary pattern. If you want the spotlight effect, for Hollywood style lighting, a honeycomb grid will accomplish that very nicely. We are currently testing grid samples down to about 12°. They produce an absolute cutoff and light about a 36" circle with very hard edges from 10', with zero spill.
Posted 33 months ago.
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I just got mine and I will be returning it for multiple reasons. Can someone with the older "white" one post some pics on how it attaches etc? I'm trying to decide if I want to try that one instead.
Posted 33 months ago.
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how could you go wrong for $60?
@mofofoto: can we hear or see those reasons?
Posted 33 months ago.
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Sure, and some of these things may not be an issue for some.
1. It came slightly bent so that the grid did not fit.
2. While trying to make it fit, I sliced two fingers on the sharp flange
3. The umbrella hole and BD hole don't line up very well which is how you fit the disc on the beauty dish.
4. Don't like how the disc isn't attached and is always loose.
The price is only right if you can overlook all the issues and I can't. In particular the slicing of my fingers.
No axe to grind as I like my AB1600, vagabond, and brolly box.
Posted 33 months ago.
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Wow. wasn't this dish initially designed for the new ab max's? could this be why as mofofoto states
"3. The umbrella hole and BD hole don't line up very well which is how you fit the disc on the beauty dish.
4. Don't like how the disc isn't attached and is always loose."
Is anyone else having this problem
Posted 33 months ago.
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Let me just say that I got one of the first "scratched" ones so maybe the others will be more refined.
I did call to relay all the info so that they would hopefully fix some issues so other peeps don't go through what I did.
I found out the white one goes on the same way so I guess I'm not getting one of those either.
Posted 33 months ago.
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thanks mofofoto for explaining....I was told the new manufacturer they are using for these BDs is able to produce them alot cheaper than the originals and they has a bad 'batch' that were damaged during production.....So i guess all the blemished ones will be the same as yours....
Originally posted 33 months ago.
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Dominick Paoli edited this topic 33 months ago.
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Mine was also scratched but the holes line up great on mine
paul did say they may move to a different vendor for them
Posted 32 months ago.
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I've used both and really favor the original one plus it can take the punishment of travel. Here's a video where about 3 or 4 of the shots were using the older dish. www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MMktjKQf04
Posted 32 months ago.
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I got mine today and fits fine. I will be trying it out on shoot Saturday.
Posted 32 months ago.
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Cool video, Adam!
Posted 32 months ago.
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Adam just checked out the video really good stuff
Posted 32 months ago.
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Very nice photos Mr Bonilla, this makes me even more unsure about which beauty dish, I personally don't like the idea of the reflective disc being detachable and I'm still unsure about the different reflective surfaces effects.
Hey Adam can you tell us in more detail on what you like about the old and didn't like about the new?
I plan on purchase this by the end of this year beginning of the next.
Cheers
Posted 32 months ago.
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specular highlights have to be greater in the newer based on the silver surface - durability takes a hit (what do you want for $70) and I would think the narrower throw gives way to more abrupt falloff than the original....
It seems like they tried to solve a problem that wasn't even a problem in the first place - "Higher Output" ? Did anyone have issues with output in the original?
With all that said - for the price you really cant go wrong
Posted 32 months ago.
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well yeah but price here isn't all that important since I'm more interested in the effects it makes... Specially that I was planning originally to buy the white version so I have the budget for either one.
I'll have to wait a bit more to see more examples with the silver one.
Posted 32 months ago.
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hmmmm....
Walter Melrose with mola-light.com on Silver Beauty Dishes
"A silver surface is much cooler in colour temperature and tends to add a cyan cast....The silver surface does not allow the light to follow the contours of the reflector as they were intended. Although the silver surface gives the impression of greater output it does not apply to function, our white surface is 90% reflectance and very efficient."
Also see here 'Silver vs White Beauty Dish'
www.digitalartform.com/archives/2009/03/silver_beauty_d.html
& this example of profoto white vs silver"
White (left) Silver (right)
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/domdp/3966227463/]
Originally posted 32 months ago.
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Dominick Paoli edited this topic 32 months ago.
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stop trippin everyone! use the diffuser for soft light and if you need directed soft light use the diffuser and the grid!
Posted 32 months ago.
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my man Griffin! exactly - Silver BD has just as a higher output because of the reflected surface but this new grid has a natural 45 degree spread so you don't need the grid unless you want a 'tighter' 40 degree spread....
The diffusion sock does soften the light a tad so is def a winner.....
Posted 32 months ago.
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well from what I've read putting the sock on almost negates the "light characteristics" of a BD turning it more into a soft box. That's why I'm asking..
Posted 32 months ago.
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not really...your still getting the light being blocked directly from the center and the although the output is more diffused and spread the graduated falloff remains the same....
Posted 32 months ago.
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Don't forget the inside of the new dish does have a good texture on it.
I bought another one for $59 i figured i can't go wrong. I plan to use them together one with and sock more like a softbox and one with just the direct blocker plate
Posted 32 months ago.
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they are really a steal...I bought one of the blemished ones and the scratches were barely visible but it did have a tad warping on the dish probably less than half an inch tho
you even have the option of using the sock without the light blocker*
Originally posted 32 months ago.
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Dominick Paoli edited this topic 32 months ago.
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I just got the new dish in, I couldn't find anything wrong with it. No dents or small scratches. Hmm...I'll be using it tomorrow for a hotel shoot...first time using my own studio lighting and the first time using a bd. I know enough to be dangerous.
Posted 32 months ago.
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Here's one of the shots from yesterdays shoot. I used the new AB Beauty Dish on an AB800. I had the sock on for this shot. ISO 200, 1/125 @ f/11.
I need to get a boom arm, since having this on a regular stand does not allow me enough downward angle. I like it.
Posted 32 months ago.
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excellent shot - the new BD is a winner! was the BD the only light?
Originally posted 32 months ago.
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Dominick Paoli edited this topic 32 months ago.
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Yes the BD was the only light here, it was set to camera front right. I had my assistant hold a piece of 2x3 foamcore to the models left. It didn't give me as much fill as I wanted and since I'm traveling. I left my reflectors at home.
I was not wanting to use flash for this shoot for a couple reasons. It was initially supposed to be a natural light shoot but the model showed up late. On top of that I just bought the AB800 this past Friday, so I'm pretty much a flash noob. So when the model showed up late, I was forced to use the light or end the shoot.
I'm very happy with the BD. I don't have another modifier to compare it too since this is my first light and modifier but for 59 bucks, it's wonderful. I purchased one of the "scratched" ones but upon inspection, there is nothing wrong with it. No scratches or warp.
Posted 32 months ago.
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tell you what, this doesnt look like a shot from a beginner! excellent post as well
what was the EXIF?
Originally posted 32 months ago.
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Dominick Paoli edited this topic 32 months ago.
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Exif was f/11 1/125 ISO200. If I remember correctly the AB800 was either at 1/16 or 1/4th power set at models head height aimed slightly down, towards her chest.
Posted 32 months ago.
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Nice shot Geoff
Geoff these boom arms are cheap and work great to get the bd far enough away to tilt them any way you want.
i would not use them fully extended
www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/500507-REG/Interfit_COR757...
Posted 32 months ago.
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could some else please share som pics of the new HOB BD??
Thanks
Posted 32 months ago.
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I've decided I don't like the new beauty dish... for beauty shots. It's good for outside as it's lightweight, high output and good for overpowering the sun.
For beauty shots I want a soft controllable light. Without the sock the light is too specular but the beam is narrow. Put on the sock and the light is soft but spills everywhere like an umbrella.
I'll be ordered the matte white one with a grid tomorrow so I can get a soft 45 degree light.
Posted 32 months ago.
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To be honest, I don't understand the thinking behind the new BD and the decision to scrap the old one. Mistur Photography pretty much hits the nail on the head with my concerns.
Yea, the new one is cheap. But as a beauty dish? Don't think so.
Posted 32 months ago.
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BTW, don't ever drop the grid. Busted the crap out of it.
Both the pull tab and the spring came off, which pissed me off since I hardly ever use it. So in finagling it off I dropped the damn thing.
Posted 32 months ago.
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+2 for mistur photography's comments.
I don't like the new one for beauty but would do well with outdoor and overpowering sun.
I just ordered the old white matte finish dish with sock and grid. I just need to find a good boom and I'm in business:o)
Posted 32 months ago.
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Just spoke to AB office. They said they are just low in supply on the BD and may be changing the manufacturers to make the new batch, but it is not being discontinued.
Posted 32 months ago.
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matthew.s.dunn [deleted] says:
Yeah, re: discontinuation, see the following:
www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/814756/4#7622253
Posted 32 months ago.
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hmmm
Not sure if I'm digging the lighting results i'm seeing from the new BD. I have the old one and i'm absolutely in love with it. I have absolutely no qualms with it whatsoever.
I think the quality of light that comes from the old one is much better than what I've seen here, not to mention, the quality is much better.
Posted 32 months ago.
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REALLY excited. Just placed an order for the original white BD along with the grid and also a boom arm from a different site. Can't wait to get the new tools/toys to play with!!
Posted 32 months ago.
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@dietzy2320---Which boom are did you get?
Posted 32 months ago.
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I bought this one because it has the counterweight included instead of having to buy it separate. I also like that it is black. I have 3 of the 10' air cushioned stands from Calumet and think they are fantastic quality!
www.calumetphoto.com/item/MF6210/
AB arm has been discontinued.
Originally posted 32 months ago.
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dietzy2320 edited this topic 32 months ago.
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Let me know how that works for you. I just ordered BD too and need to get a boom arm.
Posted 32 months ago.
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Probably won't have it till early next week sometime but I can certainly provide an update. If the Calumet boom arm is anything like the quality of the light stands, then I should be very pleased.
Posted 32 months ago.
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I've taken the new BD and painted it matt white. I'm post my thoughts after a shoot or two.
Posted 32 months ago.
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I just got my new HO Beauty Dish and took it out for a shoot. For those people who want to see some more examples, here are some.
Posted 32 months ago.
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just got my white AB BD in today! Along with the sock and grid. Hoping my boom arm is at home when I get out of work so that I can play!!
Posted 32 months ago.
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Just ordered my HOBD at 6:00 PM EST and the lady told me that there is a $20 discount on the ones in stock (regular $79, now $59) but the scratches are on the back side of the dish and purely cosmetic. The new shipment of HOBD will have a different and/or painted surface she mentioned which will be more resistant to wear and tear. Again, this is purely cosmetic and the HOBD comes with the sock so even if shipping is a bunch (which for me it is as I'm in Canada), it's still 100% worth it.
Posted 31 months ago.
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I have a standard 13' Light Stand (not from AlienBees but they're all the same essentially), now that I've ordered the HOBD, can anyone recommend a boom arm and attachment. I rely a lot on Manfrotto, but a complete boom arm and tripod isn't what I need. I just need to know maybe a model number for a boom arm, and then of course the attachment from light stand to boom arm as well please.
Posted 31 months ago.
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this is the boom arm that I purchased recently with my white AB BD. So far I am pleased with it.
www.calumetphoto.com/item/MF6210/
Posted 31 months ago.
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awesome, thanks for the reply dietzy2320.
Got my HOBD in today... and did a few tests (nothing posted yet) and I just used it on my light stand for now, but the boom looks nice and a decent price in comparison to Manfrotto's boom for the same purpose.
Posted 31 months ago.
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Lesson too all. :) Specularity is a function of Distance and Light Source Size!
Any tool can be soft or harsh! It all depends on the size relationship between a subject and the light source!
Take a 22" beauty dish for example at 2ft (24" from the subject) you will have lots of light striking your subject from a short distance. If the subject is the size of a typical adult human face the catchlight will be large the light will be/appear soft.
Take the same light modifier (a 22" beauty dish) and place it approx 4ft (48" inches) from the subject. Provided the subject has not changed (human adult face size). The catchlight will appear smaller and the specular highlights will appear ultra hot in comparison to what you originally had.
Simple comparison... the sun is our beauty dish... its billions of miles larger in every way than the earth... but cause its soooooo damn far away it looks like a small hot bright dot in the sky and creates ultra hot specular highlights very similar to a dish! I will have my $59.00 damaged dish right after christmas! Now lets get this thread a crackin again!
Posted 30 months ago.
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Do the grids work with the old school beauty dish?
Posted 30 months ago.
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It should.
Posted 30 months ago.
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If there is any question about compatibility contact Paul Buff & Company's sales and support. They will know.
Terry
Posted 22 months ago.
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