Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I've started using 64" PLMs as rim lights in my catalog setup (girls in dancewear on white/black) and i'm noticing that they spill a lot around the edges. When i'm shooting on black i get a hard line of light on the background. Are there any methods (other than flagging) for controlling spill in the 90-45 deg area when using the plm? Or, should i just ditch them and use a different, more controllable modifier for rims? I love the soft/sharp feel of the light i get from PLMs and the fact that i can cover a 5'10" kid jumping without adjusting the rims in every shot. But flagging a 5ft modifier is no fun.


Ideas?

Are you using a speedring version or 8mm shaft version of the PLM? If you are using the 8mm shaft version, you can try one of these: http://www.paulcbuff.com/7ur.php

With the speedring version, you may need to flag the light. This could even be done at the head and not require a large flag on set.

I'm using the speedring version. Any hope for an "updated" speedring that solves the problem?

No changes are expected for the PLM speedring at this time.

You can eliminate this side spill by moving the light into the PLM a bit, then the speedring reflector will block the light that passes by the PLM edges.

Now i'm really confused. The distance of the light to plm is "fixed" when using a speed ring isn't it? How would i move the head into the plm without: A-compromising the design by changing the position of the center shaft B-compromising the design by using the umbrella rod and forcing the head off axis?

I'm sorry. Perhaps i misread the instructions but isn't the hex pin at the apex of the umbrella there to hold the 10mm rod at a fixed position? Isn't that hex pin supposed to go through the hole in the "frame" and the 10mm rod? Is the thumbscrew supposed to go through the hole in the 10mm rod if i'm using a speedring? I didn't realize the system had that flexibility.

You can position the umbrella anywhere along the 10mm shaft. The thumb screw would then tighten on the shaft and not go through the hole. A small change in position to place the tube just inside the umbrella should not affect pattern greatly. Large changes will result in significant changes in pattern.