Elinchrom Deep Octa 39" vs. Profoto RFI 3' Octa

<p>Hi,<br>

I am using the Profoto RFI 3' octa with B1, B2, and AcuteB 600. How does the Elinchrom Rotalux Deep OctaBox 39" compare to the Profoto RFI 3'? I have seen many photographers rave about Elinchrom modifiers especially the 39" octabox. <br>

How different is the quality of light between these two octaboxes? Is Elinchrom noticeably better and how? <br>

Is there a huge difference between 39" and 27.5 Elinchrom octa? I just saw a 27.5 for a good deal. <br>

<br>

Thanks.</p>

 

<p>I have three smaller Octas I use with Profoto D1 and B1 heads.</p>

<p><strong> A Profoto 27" silver & gold Octabox I use for head shots</strong> (which is no longer listed on the Profoto website). It seems that Profoto has streamlined their modifier offerings: The more affordable, easy to set up RFI, and the much more expensive HR line which are heat resistant for continuous light/video applications. A third limited category is the lightweight OCF designed for the B2.</p>

<p><strong>The Elinchrom Rotalux 27.5 and 39" Deep Octaboxes ...</strong> which are indeed "deep" for their width. The Profoto 36" RFI is exactly the same depth as the smaller width Rotalux 27.5 Octabox. The effect of <em>depth to width </em><em>ratio</em> is similar to using a Magnum Reflector ... it increases the light efficiency. </p>

<p>The Rota 27.5" Octabox's chief attribute is portability due to the Rotalux speed-ring. The 39" Deep Octa is also easier to set up, but due to its considerably larger size/depth is not as easy as some would have you believe. </p>

<p>A few caveats I've learned through use: The Rotalux Profoto speed-ring is NOT the same quality as the native Profoto speed-rings used for Profoto soft boxes. The tightening clamp on the Elinchrome made one is prone to bending out of shape and eventually popping apart through use.</p>

<p>Unless there is a third party company makes them, there is not an option to put grids on the Elinchrom Deep Octas (B&H indicated this on their specification for both). The 3" Profoto RFI offers a 50 degree grid for $179.</p>

<p>All of them produce beautiful light.</p>

<p>- Marc<br>

</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I have both and when the light is diffused there is not a noticeable difference. But when the difussion is removed there is a crisper light quality with the Elinchrom. I don't like the fact that the elinchrom cannot break down as flat as the profoto but others like that. The 3rd party for soft grids for the elinchrom is http://www.lighttools.com The very best that money can buy.</p>

<p>Thanks for the tip on grids Michael.</p>

<p>Whew, ... The very best that a LOT of money can buy : -)</p>

<p>I know, we are in the wrong business Marc. LOL But seriously the quality is unmatched. It is not flimsy and it does not sag when you invert your softbox.</p>

<p>Thanks for the replying Marc and Michael. I really like Marco Grob's work with the Elinchrom Deep Octa 100cm. "The 100cm deep creates beautiful crisp textures and in my opinion the best and most universal soft box out there." he said on Instagram. Do you agree? <br>

I see he uses two assistants on many portraits: one with black flag on side, and one using a silver reflector below subjects chin. <br>

Honeygrids also has grids for 27.5 and 39 for under $200. I have grids from them for Profoto beauty dish and Magnum. <br>

http://www.honeycombgrids.com/grid-catalog/elinchrom-grids</p>

Just to put numbers to it, and this tells me I'm in the wrong business,

a 30° grid for your or my existing Interfit 30x40" softbox

runs (us418) and frame thing to hold it (us119) totalling about $537.00

 

The light accompanying the rig is imported fom Alpha-Centauri?