Do you prefer Elinchrom modifiers?

[dan_landis]

<p>I just tested the elinchrom 39" rotalux deep octa with a Profoto acuteb 600 head and the results were jaw dropping. The light is gorgeous and gives the face a milky type of glow+snap to the highlights. I never really liked the results from the Profoto RFI 3 foot octa even with the octa right up on the subjects face. I seem to get more blown highlights on people's T-zones with the Profoto.<br>

I took some self portraits since the mannequin I ordered from Amazon is not here yet. I don't have the best skin and was up on very little sleep but the results made me look 5 years younger. <br>

This light with the outer diffuser on and off gives a very snappy look that is different from the flatter look of the RFI. <br>

Have you noticed this with other elinchrom modifiers? </p>

 

[sheldonnalos]

<p>You've selected one of Elinchrom's best modifiers, with good reason. Check out the smaller "baby" 27.5" deep octa and the Maxilite for other good options. And of course, on the other end of the spectrum there's the EL Octa, if you have the budget for it. All excellent.</p>

[studio460]

<p>I wouldn't have guessed that a deep-octa with both its front-diffuser and internal baffle installed would have much of a significant difference in light-evenness across its front diffuser, compared with a similarly baffled, shallower octa such as the Profoto RFi. Sure, it may be slightly more even, but it would be interesting to meter how large a difference there actually is. Or, are you comparing a bare, undiffused deep-octa (using it like a large beauty dish) to a diffused/baffled Profoto?</p>

<p>[As you may already know, sufficiently diffuse sources of similar sizes should produce virtually identical light quality at same distances. Decreasing source-to-subject distance will increase fall-off, as the effects of the inverse-square law become more apparent, and also increase "wrap" (which produces "softer" light quality). Conversely, while increasing source-to-subject distance produces more even illumination (i.e., less fall-off), it also results in reducing the source size relative to your subject, making the light appear "harder."]</p>

[dan_landis]

<p>Hi Ralph, <br>

I've been using the Profoto RFI 3' since June 2013 with AcuteB 600 and now B1. I was pretty much blown away from the first test shots(even with a camera as old as the Nikon D3). I will make some tests tomorrow with the D800 but the images out of Capture One 9 compared to recent test self-portraits with the RFI Octa were quite dramatic. </p>

[rodeo_joe1]

<p>Dan, could you post some comparative shots so that we can see the difference, please?</p>

<p>I'm very much a skeptic that believes a reflector is a reflector and a diffuser is a diffuser. There's no "magic" to any light - just, as Ralph suggests, size, shape, colour and distance.</p>

[ellis_vener_photography]

Have not tried the 39" Deep Octa, but my favorite Elinchrom modifier for portraits these days isthe 59-inch Deep Indirect

Octa used in indirect mode where the flash head is inside the modifier and facing away from the front scrim. I replaced he Elinchom stand

mount with an Avenger D200 grip head as the original stand mount did not really work on a C-stand spipot.

[dan_landis]

<p>Hi,<br>

I am looking forward to doing some tests this weekend. <br>

Just wondering: If light is light how do the Elinchrom/Profoto/Chimera modifers compare to similar size/design cheap third-party light modifiers on ebay shot at same distance and angle? I used a number of off-brand products before switching.<br>

I know some pros really love Plume lighting modifiers. Are they better than similar sized cheap softboxes from ebay if light is light? <br>

do all lighting modifiers from different companies look the same if modifier, distance to subject, and diffusion material is on the front? <br>

I hear people say the Mola demi has a special look to it even though it is slightly larger than Profoto beauty dish( 22 vs. 20.5). <br>

i am not sure of the difference but i can only believe my eyes when i look at images from elichrom octa 39" on nec pa271w.</p>

 

[rodeo_joe1]

<p>Do I take it that we're not going to get any comparison shots then?</p>

[tony_clark]

<p>I fell in love with the Elinchrom 74" Octa when I was assisting many years ago and bought one when I started making money. Fifteen years later, that Octa is gone and it's been replaced with the Elinchrom Rotolux 59" Indirect and I'm very happy with the results. I also bought a Profoto 5' Octa for a large shoot but it didn't produce the quality of light that the Elinchrom did, so I sold it not too long ago.<br>

I have recently purchased a Profoto 2x3' soft box to be used for a clients ongoing product project. I've added the soft grid for the Profoto and it does exactly what I want, it's all about having a style and picking equipment that achieves that look. I've used Profoto Acutes for twenty years because they suit my needs, the fact that I can use Elinchrom modifiers is a bonus.</p>

[mark_schafer1]

<p>For people photography with flattering light, nothing beats the indirect/reverse mount in octa/round modifiers.<br>

As mentioned above, the Elinchrom Octa 74" is the grand daddy, the Roto 59" a nice newer addition and the 39" due to it's deeper built, a more directional source. <br>

For Hard reflectors, there's Mola (in windy outdoor situations) with diffusion.<br>

Then there are the Photek Softlighters...<br>

Pretty much my line up. All on Profoto Pro heads, still playing with the B2 setup, but it seems the Photek's are a bit more forgiving.</p>