Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: feppe on May 31, 2011, 02:43:18 pm
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Since Photek Softlighter II "umbrella softbox" was chronically out of stock, I bought two knock-offs on eBay. The problem is that they don't have a removable shaft, so I have a ~50cm metal pole protruding towards the eyes of my models - an accident waiting to happen, and also limits how close I can bring the light.
I've examined the umbrella, and can't really see a reason why I couldn't just lop off the end with a hacksaw. It wouldn't collapse gracefully anymore, but it shouldn't affect its closed or opened performance as long as I guide the shorter shaft to the center hole when opening up the umbrella. Anyone tried a similar operation?
Also, if I take a photo in pitch dark with a film camera, does it result in a picture?
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Since Photek Softlighter II "umbrella softbox" was chronically out of stock, I bought two knock-offs on eBay. The problem is that they don't have a removable shaft, so I have a ~50cm metal pole protruding towards the eyes of my models - an accident waiting to happen, and also limits how close I can bring the light.
I've examined the umbrella, and can't really see a reason why I couldn't just lop off the end with a hacksaw. It wouldn't collapse gracefully anymore, but it shouldn't affect its closed or opened performance as long as I guide the shorter shaft to the center hole when opening up the umbrella. Anyone tried a similar operation?
Also, if I take a photo in pitch dark with a film camera, does it result in a picture?
The center shaft of the Paul Buff plm is shorter, just for that purpose.
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Since Photek Softlighter II "umbrella softbox" was chronically out of stock, I bought two knock-offs on eBay. The problem is that they don't have a removable shaft, so I have a ~50cm metal pole protruding towards the eyes of my models - an accident waiting to happen, and also limits how close I can bring the light.
I've examined the umbrella, and can't really see a reason why I couldn't just lop off the end with a hacksaw. It wouldn't collapse gracefully anymore, but it shouldn't affect its closed or opened performance as long as I guide the shorter shaft to the center hole when opening up the umbrella. Anyone tried a similar operation?
Also, if I take a photo in pitch dark with a film camera, does it result in a picture?
Yes.
Rob C
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Also, if I take a photo in pitch dark with a film camera, does it result in a picture?
Of course. You get something very much like BobDavid's black dog against a black background (http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=54589.msg445280#msg445280) but with less contrast.
Jeremy
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The center shaft of the Paul Buff plm is shorter, just for that purpose.
Man, I wish I stumbled upong those before going for the Softlighters or knock-offs. I'll get a pair of 86" soon for sure - they seem to offer the same light quality as Softlighters based on quick googling, but are available in bigger sizes and have a removable diffuser.
How long are they fully collapsed?
Thanks for the tip!
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Man, I wish I stumbled upong those before going for the Softlighters or knock-offs. I'll get a pair of 86" soon for sure - they seem to offer the same light quality as Softlighters based on quick googling, but are available in bigger sizes and have a removable diffuser.
How long are they fully collapsed?
Thanks for the tip!
The 64" gives me 85-86cm.
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The 64" gives me 85-86cm.
Well, at least nobody will be sending you spam for extensions!
Rob C
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The 64" gives me 85-86cm.
Thanks again, that would fit well in my light stand bag, have to contact them to ensure the 80" fits also.