Alex.K.NY wrote:
Add me to the list of those wanting the PLMII when I get the Einstein.
For me the reasons I want them are not the efficiency so much but:
1. the pretty round specular highlights they create in the subjects' eyes. If the front diffusion fabric had the little corners masked to make the highlight PERFECTLY round, that would be even better. I hate the octaboxes as they neither emulate the sun (perfectly round) nor the window (rectangular) as far as these highlights in the subjects' eyes go.
2. compactness, and the speed of setup/tear-down. Hopefully this will be more or less similar for V2.
I do not own the PLM but I've seen the results. As a bare silver reflector it is extremely efficient, which is to say it sends most of the light strictly parallel (or evenly converging / diverging). There aren't a lot of intersecting light rays hitting the same spot on the subject from multiple directions. As a result the light is a little bit like on those Apollo moon shots - it shows relief and texture very well but there's not a lot of shadow fill going on.
Attaching a front diffusion fabric (esp in conjunction with using a white not silver umbrella) should help with that a big deal. I hope Paul considers some of the following (if not done already):
1. Make available a range of front diffusion fabric densities - regular, half-density (less light loss, less diffusion), and double-density (softest light, at the expense of additional light loss).
2. Incorporate attachment points on spokes about 3/4 of the way out, for an optional additional internal diffusion fabric. This would create a light intensity pattern that gently tapers off at the periphery. Potentially a more flattering light, or at least a way to further maximize the diffusion/light softness and shadow fill.
3. I do not know if the Black Outer Cover Fabric is silver on the side facing the white umbrella, but if it were it would further increase the efficiency without any measurable downside. The same, with a pinch more reservation, goes for the Black Front Spill-Kill Fabric.
-- Alex Karasev
Alex, this is a big design challenge with a modifier like PLM. If it transmits absolute parallel rays the subject cannot receive illumination from every area of the umbrella, but will tend to see only the center portion. In order to produce the full umbrella surface as a catchlight, the umbrella must be focused such that the rays from every part of the surface converge at the subject . . . very narrow coverage and extreme output.
The challenge is to shape the PLM such that the shape produces the optimal compromise between parallel rays and adjustable focal point. I spend a lot of time drawing vectors and testing to find the best overall response. Working on that right now.
Then communicating this optimal shape to the sewing factories is a really difficult task, as is hand sewing samples.
Of course, if you dull down the silver fabric or put diffusion in front of it you equalize the pattern and always see the entire surface . . . at the cost of greatly reduced output.