Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Here is basically what I want to do. Take some nice pictures infront of the christmas tree. Considering this will be in a room with 8 foot ceilings I first thought of a 64" PLM in my X1600 and a 51" PLM in my B800 for fill with either barn doors or a grid for a hair light with my other B800 (haven't decided if I need/want the photos to pop that nice or not).

EDIt: Let me be very specific in my question....I have been told (I think by non-Buff user on another forum) that the PLMs focus the light to much and a huge softbox would be the way to go. After seeing a uTube video (link found from here in the forum) demonstrating all three PLMs with a diffuser, it appears to me that the soft silver PLM acts EXACTLY like a huge softbox. Soft silver PLM users: Is this true? Just trying to minimize equipment outlay but still get a good bang for the buck and get the job done. Again, I am not a pro, but trying to get results as close to pro as possible for my skill level.

Mainly want to do portait stuff at the house for now. Appreciate a little guidance and advice. Thanks to all.

Bob E.

The soft-silver provides very nice light. The character of it depends on whether you use the front diffusion panel.

Without the front panel, the soft-silver approximates a softbox. The output is even and not ultra-focused light. It is directional though and has a relatively controlled spread. The light will be more crisp than that of an actual softbox with more specular highlights.

With the diffusion panel in place, the PLM essentially IS a kind of softbox - with little difference between the soft-silver and the extreme silver if the diffusion panel is on. Adding the diffusion panel will reduce the light output and also make the beam spread wider. It's very soft light with the diffusion panel. The spread is wider with the PLM/diffusion panel than you might expect with an actual softbox because there's no lip around the edge.

One thing you might want to consider is the degree of control you want. A softbox or soft-silver PLM will send all the light forward and with some limited degree of spread. In a studio setting this degree of control is often desired. But if you just want nice in-home portraits, you might consider a white shoot-through approach - either a white PLM or a regular umbrella. They send about half the light through and half bounces backward. Indoors, this will create lots of fill that generally looks nice assuming the walls aren't some unusual color. A single white shoot-through 45 degrees to one side of your subjects might provide all the light you need - main from the light passing through and fill from the light bouncing around. You're just sacrificing total control over the final result - but it's pretty likely to look nice.

Thank you for the reply. For the Christmas photos, the room has dark wood paneling on three of the walls with dark red brick on the other. The other photo area that would most likely be used does have 4 white walls and white ceilings.

I have enough time to try one of my cheap shoot thru umbrellas just to see what happens in both rooms. I had never considered a white PLM and it's differences. I will go read up on that and surf for some hopefully not to biased info/reviews on the white PLM. In a home setting with the two B800s and one X1600 flash power shouldn't be an issue should it? That is why I was not even considering the white PLM......power has ALWAYS been a problem in the past.


Bob E.

I would think you'd have plenty of power. f/5.6-8 should be sufficient unless it's a huge group and you could bump your ISO up a little if needed.

The white PLMs (or a regular shoot-through umbrella) are certainly less efficient in terms of light transmitted forward. Just keep in mind that a lot of light is bounced backwards too - and if you're indoors that light isn't necessarily wasted. That's only the case if you're outside or somewhere with no walls, etc. for that light to bounce off of.

In general, if you're taking an environmental portrait where you want the room, Christmas tree etc. to be nicely lit along with your subjects, white shoot-through may work best. More directional light (softbox, etc.) gives you greater control but you'd have to specifically light your background, the tree, etc. All just a matter of taste.

I highly doubt that lack of power (light output) will be an issue indoors for you. The silver/soft silver PLM's are VERY efficient modifiers. However, with those lights used indoors you will probably have power to spare and could go with a white PLM, shoot through brolly, or whatever you want to get the look you are after.

In no way have I found the PLM to be "too focused". I actually laughed out loud a little when I read that :D I basically look at the PLM output as a big, round, even beam of light with tight but pleasing fall off. If more of a soft box look is desired the cover increases beam spread but also spill. The PLM's are very versatile.

Your approach seems reasonable and you could use one PLM for a main light and one of your existing shoot-through umbrellas for fill (behind you or opposite the main light).

Again, thank you both for your replies. It's not that I am broke, but I don't want to get something I won't use.....I am going to get either a soft silver or the extreme silver PLM.

The only reason I am considering the extreme is just (and just) incase I decide to go maybe outdoors I will be able to aim (hopefully the best word) the light better with the extreme silver one, or am I kidding myself and not worry about it and just use the regular 7 inch reflector and go for it outdoors? Again, not doing this for money (yet), just for me and wanting the most incredible photos I can get. For now, one silver or soft silver and one white PLM in my future.......I think playing with the white PLM seems very, very interesting.......let me just throw this out.....would two white PLMs would give me the most to play with in the house.....two X1600s should certainly be more than enough if I chose to shoot through or bounce back, right?

Bob E.

It really depends on your style on preferences. If I was in your position I would probably go with one white and one soft silver. That combination gives you a lot of versatility (smooth white and a sliver with a little more pop, shoot through, bounce, fill, and so on).

You can probably do just fine with the soft silver outside. Give it a try and if you start shooting outside a lot and also decide that you really need the extreme silver then you could always add one down the road. Bring lots of sandbags if you do take the PLM outside - like any big umbrella it is a big sail.

I have a V2 silver PLM and the diffuser.

I was asked to shoot 50 years of T-shirts at our church last week. I set up at the far end of the gym and used the PLM/diffuser combo and got great shots of the shirts as the youth modeled them.

As I was finishing I was told they also wanted a group shot which was news to me. I had no extension cords, just the one Einstein and PLM. I removed the diffuser and turned the Einstein around.

The group was assembled at the other end of the gym (think full court basketball plus about 10 feet on either end).

I walked to the stage, used the CC to increase flash power and got a nicely lit group shot.

I could not have done that with just a soft box. The flexibility with the PLM and diffuser option as well as the wide power range is just amazing.

Fred

Going to order one soft silver and one white PLM later today. Thanks for advice and real world experiences with the PLM.

Still trying to determine if a set of barn doors is adequate for control of hair light or if I should invest in a set of honeycombs......althought both would probably be best just incase.

Thanks again.

Bob E.

Either one will work or a snoot will get the job done too. They all modify the light in different ways. It might be worth google'ing some examples of each to see what will work with your style.... although you are probably right about getting both. I find that I use the grids more than barn doors since I use them for hair lights, background spot, sometimes on the main light, and even with my small Canon flashes.