Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

At present I have a PLM 51 inch, B800 & B1600, boom arm, and LS3900 light stand.

For table top product shots, still life, would a beauty dish be a better choice, or perhaps a 24x36 softbox? If you are using the PLM or BD is it with or without the diffuser sock?

It is all going to come down to what you are shooting and what look you are going for. The main thing to consider is size will affect the softness of the shadows and shape will be reflected in the highlights.

The closer something is, the larger it is (effectively), but the faster the light falls off.

Also, think about reflections. If you are shooting...wine bottles, there will be a doughnut shaped reflection if you use a beauty dish with the deflector. A sock will mitigate this, but removing the deflector and using the sock will create a 22" circular soft box. Grids can go over the sock if desired, but it will be tight, and will likely wear the sock ($10) faster.

A softbox will appear more rectangular in shape, and can be gridded. A 24x36 will be a little bigger in one axis than the beauty dish.

rectangular softboxes are better for tabletop. There are other modifiers you end up needing for tabletop (homemade) that are easier to fit and use with a rectangular light source, like saw-toothed cards, fingers and dots (making shadows) and such. I also urge you to get at least one other size box to allow you to match the look of the light with the size of the product photographed.

And buy lots of Fom-Cor and a good knife!

Good shooting!