Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

A friend has a AB (not sure which)... hidden in the 50x50 Westcott in this pic.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28039459@N ... otostream/

I've been doing using speedlights to do the same thing. If I was going to light a similar group with an Einstein, similar distance, maybe 2-3 more people, would a 64" PLM with the white cover, be a decent choice (that's what I have). If not, which modifier for wedding groups would anyone suggest be the best choice.

I think that would be fine. The Apollo may have a tad more spill control, but I dont think that is advantageous in that scenario. Also, depending on the PLM surface you have, you may or may not need the diffusion fabric. I would use it for extreme silver, but the other two fabrics it would not be critical.

If you use the diffusion cover, I think even the smaller PLM would work. It might give slightly more pronounced shadows which could be good or bad depending on your preferences. It might be easier to maneuver - especially if handheld like in the picture.

Earlier version PLM's with a diffuser work great for the type of group shots you're talking about. The newer soft silver should work without the diffuser, even with the simple umbrella shaft.

Thanks... I do have the earlier version.

Yup, if you have the silver plm, then the diffusion cover will work nicely. About the only downside there is set-up time. I'm not sure if you already have the cover, or are considering buying one, so you may have one and already know about setting it up. It does take a bit of time (not a lot) and that may be a factor for you or not. Probably that guy uses the wescott apollo type softbox because it is single piece, dirt simple and quick to set up and tear down.

I have diffusers for all of my silver plms. I also have the white plms, and now the soft silver plms. I suspect that I won't be using the diffusers as much now :-)

So, if you are considering a new purchase of a diffuser, you might consider the soft silver plm instead, perhaps even the simpler umbrella mount option. It is really a beautiful light, you can "un-focus" it for an even more diffuse spread (likely you won't need to), and it will have the rapid set up, tear down, move to another location, rinse repeat option that the diffuser won't.

How would I unfocus it to be more diffused... use without the cover?

So PLM is parabolic, which means it has a focus point: put your light source at the focus point, and the shapes/angles work such that you get a collimated "beam" of light. If you move the light source away from the focus point, then the angles are different and the light scatters more, rather than exiting straight from the umbrella. If you set this up, point it at a wall, you can probably watch it happen with the modeling light only. I tend to only use the PLMs at the focus point, but I would guess that moving the light source a bit deeper into the umbrella would cause a wider, more diffuse light.

Not that this primarily applies to the silver, as it gives the most collimated beam when focused. But it does apply to some lesser degree to the white and soft silver, though they are more diffuse by design.

As I think more about it, a soft silver plm might be a near perfect solution for you: more efficient than a white plm or a diffusion cover, a very nice quality of light (a nice blend of specular and soft light), simple umbrella set up option, simple tear down and set up overall, and easily de-focused for more spread.

Once I got my PLMs, I find myself using them more than softboxes, except the strip boxes with grids for special purposes, and the beauty dish/grids (for special needs, or location work where it is strong, durable, and works well when working in sunlight).

The PLMs rock, basically, and the new soft silvers may end up being my favorite of all.

Thanks for that... I wonder what most people like, the umbrella mount or the speedring?

I really like the new 8mm umbrella mount. It's much faster to set up and easier to transport also. The speedrings aren't stackable or collapsible and take up a good bit of space. Also, the 8mm seems much less "bendy" than the speedring version with the 7mm umbrella rod in place.

The only setting where I think the speedring would be preferable is using an extreme silver PLM with no diffusion cover. In that case the positioning of the light in the direct center of the PLM is going to have a greater impact on the actual light produced. The smaller the PLM, the more this would matter.