Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hi everyone:

I am getting too old to lug my ancient WL 10,000 "coffee can" lights and my VML around.

So I had to ask if anyone is successfully using multiple speedlights (on a multi flash bracket) into a PLM, particularly into a soft silver PLM.

I know that the PLMs are designed to have lights "focused" in the center, but my WL 10,000 wouldn't be focused in the center of a plm anyway.

So wondering how it word work if they were distributed evenly using a multi flash bracket like this one:



there is an interesting post by a guy using this bracket with a an 86-inch SHOOT THROUGH umbrella:

You can see the how he used it here:

http://www.shootingonabudget.com/cowboystudio-4-way-flash-bracket/

so if anyone has had any experience, good or bad, using multiple speedlights with a PLM, that would be greatly appreciated.

And also, if I WERE to do something like this, would the FIRST series of PLMs be better than the second versions of PLMs???

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Just found another post where someone is using a single speedlight into a 64" silver PLM:

http://www.robgalbraith.com/multi_pageb ... 0396-10407

Seems like it is at lease somewhat viable as long as the flash is mounted horizontally. Don't know if this is a first or second gen PLM though.

I would recommend using a diffusion dome on each of the flash heads. As they are, they are a bit too focused to fill to the edges of the umbrella. if you note in the shoot through image the circle of light is quite small. By using the diffusion using dome, you approximate a bare bulb flash. it appears the umbrella rod goes in the middle of the flashes, so you should be able to focus rEason ably well, particularly if using Soft Silver.

Thank you!!!

Darn, the diffusion domes eat so much light (like a stop and a half).

the flip down diffusion panels eat a lot less (I thought it was less than half a stop).

The diffusion domes don't eat that much light, they redistribute it. Often, they redistribute it to places that are not useful. But, in order for the large umbrellas to be as useful as possible (i.e. to be effectively as large as they actually are) that light needs to be redistributed to the sides to fill the interior. Otherwise, there is no need to use such a large umbrella if light is only hitting the middle.

Ok, thanks for the explanation about the diffusion dome.