opinions on this light

<p>Hi,<br>

Any experience with a modified light of this kind? Any advantages for portraiture, weddings?<br>

http://cgi.ebay.com/VIVITAR-285-MODIFIED-STUDIO-LIGHT-W-HEAVY-DUTY-BRACKET_W0QQitemZ320382551226QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigital_Camera_Flashes?hash=item4a9849c4ba&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1234%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50<br>

thanks</p>

<p>Pure physics would dictate that there would be significant light loss, due to the modifier, much like using a dome diffuser. What advantage do you think such a light would have?</p>

<p>Bryan,<br>

I haven't used flash units with a dish like this, but my understanding is that they can provide a more even quality. I had assumed that it might be more along the lines of the Quantum flashes. <br>

Scott</p>

<p>What do you mean more "even"? You mean a softer quality? If the dish were bigger, i.e. the size of a 7" standard reflector, then maybe, especially at close distances. However, the dish is not big enough. You might get slightly larger circular catchlights, but the quality of light will be virtually the same.</p>

<p>Ah, but if the reflector is removable (the ad doesn't say), then all kinds of possibilities open up. If not, then I agree, I don't see much advantage.</p>

<p>Current generation stobes "zoom" the light output to match the taking lens (to some extent). A fixed 5" reflector like this doesn't zoom. And it doesn't provide good coverage at 17mm on a 1.6 crop camera.</p>

<p>My old Norman 200C has a similar tube/reflector and while it's very efficient, it's not variable in any way. If the refelctor mounts like a Norman then there are a limited number of other modifiers available, otherwise you're on your own.</p>

<p><Chas></p>

<p>Oh, and remember that you will never be able to have it repaired, unless you can contact the person who made the original modification.</p>

<p><Chas><br /></p>

<p>This the same barebulb concept as the Sunpack 120J that is now discontinued.<br>

<a href="http://forums.skateperception.com/index.php?showtopic=106229">http://forums.skateperception.com/index.php?showtopic=106229</a><br>

A bigger light usually translates into more even distribution and softer lighting. Greater distribution of light, means that if you take a portrait of a person, that person's hands will be illuminated just as well as the face. The sunpack 120J was a very popular item for wedding photographers back in the days and still is by the way, although portable diffusers such as the gary-fong diffuser has sort of replaced them.<br>

A bigger reflector also means that that you avoid and/or reduce that harsh spot-light look that you get with conventional hot-shoe flashes. Removing the reflector from the flash head further softens the image an reduces shadows, but you have to be in an enclosed area so that the light can bounce of the walls while it is dispersing. <br>

Prior to the sunpack, some photographers modified their Vivitars flashes like the one you are looking at now, to simulate bare bulb lighting, or to get more even light distibution. I'm not sure how old the item you are looking at is, but my guess is, at least 10 years old.<br>

Usually I avoid buying electronics from eBay, although I bought a 10 year old (non-modified) Vivitar 283 about 8 years ago, that is still ticking like if it was brand new. </p>