Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Lighting => Topic started by: JoeKitchen on March 18, 2016, 08:45:51 am

Title: Profoto Small Spot vs. Bowens Universal Spotlite
Post by: JoeKitchen on March 18, 2016, 08:45:51 am
So I noticed that Profoto and Bowens both sell a remarkably similar projection light modifier and I am wondering if they are the same exact thing (aside from the different mount). 

Profoto Small Spot (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=633105&gclid=CJqDzfmgyssCFdgLgQodMFwCIQ&is=REG&ap=y&m=Y&c3api=1876%2C91439130122%2C&Q=&A=details)

Bowens Universal Spot (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=228416&gclid=CPGvuP-gyssCFdgDgQody0MM5w&is=REG&ap=y&m=Y&c3api=1876%2C91442437562%2C&A=details&Q=)

Does anyone know if they are the same exact thing?  Because if so, Profoto is charging about almost double for pretty much for their logo. 

I may just buy the Bowens and replaced the mount, which seems pretty easy.  The only concern I have is that Profoto sells an iris for theirs to focus the light down even more.  I just want to make sure that would fit into the Bowens version.  (I know for a fact the Dedo iris is too thick for the Bowens, but never tested it on the Profoto one.) 
Title: Re: Profoto Small Spot vs. Bowens Universal Spotlite
Post by: jazzy on March 18, 2016, 10:30:14 am
I find these spot/zoom focusing attachment from Profoto/Broncolor/Elinchrom/Bowens are mostly made from third party, usually theatre lighting manufacturers, and they just custom the mount and sometimes add their flash tube circuitry in. So many are the same. You should be safe doing so.
Title: Re: Profoto Small Spot vs. Bowens Universal Spotlite
Post by: Junk_Bond on April 05, 2016, 10:09:15 pm
They are exactly the same, made by the same company. I purchased the Bowens and used a Profoto RFI speed ring adapter plate (just the silver part with the mounting mechanism). It worked but I had to drill new holes in the adapter plate right along the edge of the circle. I'm not sure how different the actual Profoto adapter plate is versus an RFI speed ring adapter plate. I would assume for cost they would use the same thing, but who knows. The price difference is ridiculous, the quality is also not that great. 

The iris you mention is only made for the Zoom Spot which is not the same as the Small Spot. You can cut your own shapes to use in the Small Spot though.