Lumedyne/Norman Users: Anyone use these aftermarket reflectors?

Does anyone use or have any experience with these custom reflectors

for Lumedyne and Norman heads:

 

http://members.aol.com/mailer100/strobe/Reflect.html

 

These look very efficient and do seem to improve the efficiency of

the light. Any comments or recommedations? Perhaps I should just buy

a couple and see!

<img src="http://www.echonyc.com/~goldfarb/photo/gheron.jpg"><P>

They look like interesting alternatives, but if you're looking for maximum output, I don't think the 7T, according to their specs, is necessarily better than Norman's 8" tele reflector with the optical spacer. I don't know that the optical spacer, though, works with Lumedyne or Quantum.<P>

<img src="http://www.echonyc.com/~goldfarb/photo/selfjb.jpg"><P>

I use the Quantum 7T, but with a white sock like diffuser over it(also Quantum), which broadens the light coverage to match my 24mm on the S2 (35mm for a 35mm film format). It works great as a small softbox and maybe I'll need to light something "over there" someday. It does require the extender, which works fine with my Lumedyne heads. <p>I tried to reach those guys you mentioned, told them I wanted to buy, and never heard back. Got the Quantum reflector off the shelf at Photo Barn in Lithonia Ga. USA... t<div></div>

the optical slave in the head was to fire the unit when I made this image. It's not a normal part of the rig... t

The problem I have with their products is that they use the Lumedyne Modeling tube as an

example tube. How the reflector focuses with different tubes matters. I use a 097 tube in

my Norman 200b. What is really funny in their specifications is that they have Norman

normal reflector for LH2 as being more efficient than the Lumedyne reflector. Frankly, I

know that it is just the reverse by 1/2 f stop. But this may be because of the different

tube!

 

I do like the grid reflector for Speedotron/Balcar grids. This could be very useful when the

Norman 200b or Lumedyne is used on location.

 

As for t he telephoto ness of the other reflectors, well, you either have a parabola or an

ellipse (ellipsoidal) as a reflector model to mathematically shape the light into a narrow

angle. The parabola is more 'powerful'. And when you use either shape the placement

and length of the bulb really matters big time.

 

Therefore, I say that Norman's telephoto reflector should beat everything here. Now the

question is, can they beat Lumedyne's reflector with a 097 tube? They don't say.

 

I am not a fan of white reflectors for candid use. However, it is nice to have this function

for location usage at the ready.

 

I am glad you brought this to my attention, and I am sure I will buy their grid reflector.

 

http://members.aol.com/mailer100/strobe/Reflect.html

 

Advanced Strobe Reflectors is true!

 

Timber Borcherding timberborcherding

sorry, the reflector in my photo is a Quantum Tele Reflector QF63. And just to show that occasionally it's good to read the instructions, I don't need the spacer to use this reflector as a small softbox. The spacer seems to weaken the connection between the tube and the head, which would just be another thing to cause trouble. It does increase the efficiency of the tele output by two stops, according to the instructions that came with the reflector. I'll keep the spacer in my kit for when I might need telephoto flash, or a spot lit area in a wide angle shot... t

There is another factor which mitigates against these reflectors:

 

They show a "bare bulb" in the white reflector. Norman's reflector uses a white dome over

the white reflector, in comparison. What really happens with this "bare bulb" inside of the

white reflector is that the white reflector part doesn't operate to provide diffused lighting

on the subject. Why? The "bare bulb" in the center will over power any light reflected by

the white reflector (2 f stops down). Thus, the resultant light is similar to just direct flash

in quality. No, not exactly the same, but the light will be similiar to a bare bulb look light.

 

Photographer's have been known to paint their reflectors black, that right, black. They

achieve a "bare bulb" look with alittle control as to the wide spread of the bare bulb flare

look. It's like making the reflector a wide snoot.

 

In this case, the white reflector is actually like a snoot. Sure it provides alittle fill, but since

the white "fill" is 2 f stops down, this is minor. The dominant look of this reflector will be

a hot center bulb look.

 

Therefore, the Norman soft reflector with the white dome is superior for diffused light. It

is of no consequence that they can get a 1/2 f stop more power from their reflector. If

you wanted to do the same with a Norman reflector, just break the center dome.

Thanks all for the feedback, comments, and photos -- much appreciated!

Their 4U umbrella reflector looks interesting and is worthy of a buy. I have Norman's

umbrella reflectors. I just don't know if their tests are accurate.

This website is no longer working.... does anyone have the name of the company... or their new website?