johnny_tergo Posted July 26, 2004 Share Posted July 26, 2004 I have always been under the impression that if you use a larger reflector you focus the light more and can therfore "throw" it further. A friend of mine suggested that since the reflector was larger the light beam would actually be wider spread. I suggested that although his method of thinking seemed logical, he was wrong. Seing as we are at work and I have no acess to my strobes to test our theory's, I was hoping that a few people who know what they are talking about would chime in and let us know there opinion on the subject. EXAMPLE: 1200 ws/pack at full power with a 7" reflector f8 at 20 ft vs. 1200 ws/pack at full power with 20" reflector f11 at 20 ft I know I am off on the exact f stop, but I am just trying to explain what I am getting at. Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garry edwards Posted July 26, 2004 Share Posted July 26, 2004 You are both right. Larger reflectors are available that produce a wideangle beam, and this type of reflector will spread the light far and wide. Some large reflectors however are of the parabolic design, they are fairly deep and throw an almost parallel beam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny_tergo Posted July 26, 2004 Author Share Posted July 26, 2004 I love it when things turn work out to serve 2 purposes. :) No loss of pride or money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny_tergo Posted July 26, 2004 Author Share Posted July 26, 2004 However all things being equall, as far as type of reflector... 7" parabolic and 20" parabolic, which will focus the light more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted July 26, 2004 Share Posted July 26, 2004 this would depend on the design of the reflector. mere diameter is meaningless without the context of the design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted July 26, 2004 Share Posted July 26, 2004 design factors: shape of parabola, simple or complex, reflectiveness of interior of reflector, beam angle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted July 26, 2004 Share Posted July 26, 2004 Also is the position ofthe flashtube in the reflector fixed or variable? Profoto for example let's you vary this to change the beam angle and eveness of light across the circle of illumination with virtually all of their reflectors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny_tergo Posted July 26, 2004 Author Share Posted July 26, 2004 Got it... Too many variables to give a solid answer. I am currently shooting Speedotron blackline where the head is somewhat adjustable, not to the degree of the profoto. The reflectors are both this style 7" and 20 or 22"... photo stolen from EBay user abnerscamera Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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