Softlighter II Build Quality

<p>Hi All,<br>

I’m looking into buying either a 51-inch Paul C. Buff WHITE PLM <a href="http://www.paulcbuff.com/plm-white.php">http://www.paulcbuff.com/plm-white.php</a> with the following 3 options:<br>

White Front Diffusion Fabric (WFDF) <a href="http://www.paulcbuff.com/wfdf.php">http://www.paulcbuff.com/wfdf.php</a><br>

<strong> </strong>Black Front Spill Kill Fabric (BFSPKF) <a href="http://www.paulcbuff.com/bfspkf.php">http://www.paulcbuff.com/bfspkf.php</a><br>

Black Outer Cover Fabric (BOC) <a href="http://www.paulcbuff.com/boc.php">http://www.paulcbuff.com/boc.php</a><br>

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<strong><em>OR</em></strong> the 46-inch Photek Softlighter II.<br>

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<em>Here are my 2 questions </em>(the setup will be used indoors):</p>

 

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<p>In various forums/reviews, I've read that while all agree the Softlighter II produces great light, some say its build quality could be better. I've not read such concerning the PLM. Your experience please.</p>

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<p>Does the Softlighter II come with the equivalent of the 3 Buff options listed above? I’ve read the product description but am still not sure.</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

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<p>Well, the Softlighter isn't as versatile as the Paul C. Buff, to answer your second question first.</p>

<p>I never had any problems with the build quality of either the medium or large Softlighter II, both of which I've owned. I mean, they probably wouldn't withstand a fall with a heavy light head without damage to the ribs, but then no umbrella I've seen would. But they are built to an entirely suitable standard, and if you're using them indoors, you shouldn't have any problems with them barring accident.</p>

Except for the black front cover the Softlighter II has those options. Honestly, since I've never felt the need to, I have never used mine

without the black back cover. I have also never used the silver or the gold inserts that come with it either. It is one of my favorite lightmodifiers for portraits.

<p>I just doesn't have the spill kill option.</p>

<p>I use mine almost exclusively outdoors, and can't say enough good things about it. The light is provides is absolutely gorgeous with superior shadow transitions provided you're using it 6' from subject or closer. For portraits, I've never seen better, and I've used a bunch including the Halo.</p>

<p>Very sturdy, stands up well to wind.</p>

<p>My only problem with the softlighter I have is the diffusion panel opening doesn't fit well with an Einstein. But it is a great quick set up location soft light. Perhaps it has been updated as mine is over 10 years old. Annie Leibovitz uses them extensively with an assistant holding them on a boom.</p>

With the Einstein and DigiBee 800 I use the Paul Buff umbrella reflector with the Softlighter II . What also works is the old

Balcar Umbrella reflector/ Angle Reduction Disk but you'll need to drill a hole in in it for the Umbrella Shaft.

 

The Balcar Disk is a silver 7-inch diameter flat aluminum disk that works as either a flat reflector so you get a true hemisphere of light

or can be used with a grid spot reflector and grids to significantly reduce the size of the spot. It works great with any 7-

inch diameter grid spot system for all flashes, but really gets interesting when used with the deep and matte black Plume,

ltd. Chimney reflector.