You have to open it in opposite pairs. Start with a diameter then a cross than diagonals and so on. Your cat is sooooo funny! Couldn't take my eyes from it!
Nice video. I own 120cm Glow Quick Open Deep Parabolic. Yes in the begging the first few times you try to set it up you need to put some muscle into it. But over time it gets very easy. I feel very confident I can set up this softbox in under 1 minute. If I really push it I would say no longer than 35 seconds.
I have seen a Rob Hall video in which he opens up with the center rod installed. This looks helping to leverage strength to the rods.. I just received mine, Jinbei brand but is the same. Will give a go this weekend......
My first flash and modifiers have been the Godox ad400 pro with a godox 80cm bowens stofbox, and a 85cm godox mount white. I bought the godox mount softbox because I didn't realize you could put the standard reflector while the bowens adapter was on. But the ad400 fits so much nicer in my backpack without the bowens adapter. I'm holding on to the bowens softbox for now, in case I buy another flash or continuous light that uses bowens mount. The 85cm is amazing for me as a first time external flash user, it has less sail area than the 80cm softbox. It's nice to have a softbox that I can use on location that is as large as is practical for me to handle on my own during on-location shoots.
The trick for opening them is to wrench open alternating sides. So if you call the first one north, do south, then east and west... then north east, south west etc. Balances out the tension on the rods as you go around.
Verrrry interesting. Do you have the same one? I tried alternating sides this morning (long after the video was made), and found it nearly impossible to continue after four corners were done. 🤷🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
@@WesPerry hes kinda right. Going caddy corner balances out the tension against all the rods so they last longer. I broke one BEFORE I went back to engineering school lol.
SMDV versus Glow Grand Parabolic, vs Broncolor would be very very interesting. Three large paradolic modifiers with highly reflective surfaces for true collimated light.
It's a Neewer 10 ft C Stand. I have a couple and they're surprisingly great. They even come with a boom arm. A little hard to find in the US for some reason, though. I've added some links to the description. amzn.to/2LKMphS
You have nice assistants in your studio ;) By the way there are interesting Karl Taylor's videos about "parabolic softbox" concept and parabolic light modifiers.
Doesn't this completely defeat the effect of this being a parabolic modifier. The white diffusion in the front turned this into a focus able softbox not a parabolic. I suppose this is a 3rd way that this modifier can be used but it's not the 1st way that it should be demonstrated in my opinion.
tbh i don't get why anything 'true parabolic' or even somewhat parabolic is needed when used with a diffusor anyway? true parabolic is a very powerful light modifer when run without a diffusor, greatly changing the character of the light, and in several ways really unique in it's light quality. so when used with a diffusor i don't see much difference to a simple reflective umbrella + diffusor, and several sizes would allow great differentiation of size (weird sentence though). all that would be cheaper, far lighter and smaller, and even easier to use.
This is an unpopular opinion, which I share. There are many who think some kind of magic happens behind the diffusion layer that carries out and beyond. But wouldn’t that just mean that the diffusion layer simply isn’t working very well? 😂
The Westcott 7 foot Octa, is my favorite. Yes. It is expensive. No. It's not a parabolic. But, the quality of light is beautiful, and the build quality is very good.
I think para with diffusion is a waste of it's primary specialty. Ofcourse it's handy if You need it, but to choose it creatively is not why people buy this. Without a team it's impossible to use it outside practically. 100cm softbox is impractical at windier days. It's possible but it is to much to worry about it falling even with H600 head. Sandbag is not an option with ad600. So this para is exclusively in studio (except with a team), but for diffused light is better option. 150cm softbox with double diffusion will do better. And will have a lot more even light.
Hi, i am considering parabolic umbrella instead of this huge monster, have you checked Glow or Godox deep parabolic silver umbrellas? They are a better alternative to this big thing? Which one you would go to, Glow or Godox?
I think the whole deep parabolic thing is a bit over hyped, TBH. the Westcott umbrella is a staple with top end professional photogs the world over. They don’t care how deep it is 😏
It's not strength intensive to open. You're doing it wrong. I've had a few of these. They're easy when done right. All of these shaped right, are the best light modifier you'll ever use. I've tried a bunch. The Broncolor is still the best. But these are a very close second. Silver internal and don't use the diffuser unless you just want a balanced softbox. The para light alone when you use the focus arm tops anything for portraits. One of the main points. You have it focused in. Can aim the flash at the model from high. The edges are less lit and the center is the hotest light. Soooooo. You light the face brighter and have fall off surrounding the face. Well, don't you want the face lit the best and all others lighting falling off away from the main impact point? ;-)
Disappointing that the illumination of the front baffle is still so non-uniform at the longest official setting. If it were truly parabolic then there would be one focus point which uniformly illuminates the front baffle.
The Zepelling does NOT have the true parabolic shape AT ALL. Please do not misinform the viewers. Its is also an old design. The GLOW is MUCH better and easier to setup too.
Have you tried the Zeppelin? When Westcott referred to it as the “Most cost-effective focusable parabolic available”, I kindof assumed that it was a focusable parabolic for some reason…🤔😂
@@WesPerry I had it. Aside from been a "Frankestein" set up compared to the more elegant Profond, the shape is not at all Parabolic. Sure you can focus it but that does not mean the actual shape is parabolic nor that it is going to collimate as it should with a true parabolic reflector. Sadly TOO many companies just throw around the term parabolic for products that are nowhere near the real deal :/
I am here for the cat attacking you plant in the back 6:00
He's smackn stuff maybe undusting stuff..
Hi Wes, happy New Year’s to you.
You know I love when you do your reviews your always fair and honest..
Great review my friend..
This is the coolest vid., in that you demo. a tool I didn't even knew exist.
You have to open it in opposite pairs. Start with a diameter then a cross than diagonals and so on. Your cat is sooooo funny! Couldn't take my eyes from it!
Hi Wes, the trick for easier opening is to open arms (or how to call it) in opposite sides not all around how you made it ;) cheers
Dude, your cat is totally stealing all of your thunder!
I’m okay with this. People can watch for me, or for the cats. Whatever 😉
Nice video. I own 120cm Glow Quick Open Deep Parabolic. Yes in the begging the first few times you try to set it up you need to put some muscle into it. But over time it gets very easy. I feel very confident I can set up this softbox in under 1 minute. If I really push it I would say no longer than 35 seconds.
The Cat, at 5.15, is too funny
Do a comparison with the quick open with difussion and a 7ft umbrella with a diffusion sock and without please.
I have seen a Rob Hall video in which he opens up with the center rod installed. This looks helping to leverage strength to the rods.. I just received mine, Jinbei brand but is the same. Will give a go this weekend......
My first flash and modifiers have been the Godox ad400 pro with a godox 80cm bowens stofbox, and a 85cm godox mount white. I bought the godox mount softbox because I didn't realize you could put the standard reflector while the bowens adapter was on. But the ad400 fits so much nicer in my backpack without the bowens adapter. I'm holding on to the bowens softbox for now, in case I buy another flash or continuous light that uses bowens mount.
The 85cm is amazing for me as a first time external flash user, it has less sail area than the 80cm softbox. It's nice to have a softbox that I can use on location that is as large as is practical for me to handle on my own during on-location shoots.
The trick for opening them is to wrench open alternating sides. So if you call the first one north, do south, then east and west... then north east, south west etc. Balances out the tension on the rods as you go around.
Verrrry interesting.
Do you have the same one?
I tried alternating sides this morning (long after the video was made), and found it nearly impossible to continue after four corners were done. 🤷🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
@@WesPerry hes kinda right. Going caddy corner balances out the tension against all the rods so they last longer. I broke one BEFORE I went back to engineering school lol.
Big silver umbrellas are still my fav go to light in fashion campaigns and full body shots for catalogs purpose 📸🌞🙋♂️
So much less hassle. 👌🏻
SMDV versus Glow Grand Parabolic, vs Broncolor would be very very interesting. Three large paradolic modifiers with highly reflective surfaces for true collimated light.
What am I, made of money? Haha
May I ask what c stands are you using?
It's a Neewer 10 ft C Stand. I have a couple and they're surprisingly great. They even come with a boom arm. A little hard to find in the US for some reason, though. I've added some links to the description. amzn.to/2LKMphS
Thanks for the quick reply Mr. Perry.
@@WesPerry I bought two from Amazon last week (USA) with the 4ft arm, they have them for $259.00 (2-pack)
@@MichaelMcBee oh okay
Flashpoint with wheels are Koo
You have nice assistants in your studio ;)
By the way there are interesting Karl Taylor's videos about "parabolic softbox" concept and parabolic light modifiers.
They are (usually) the best ;)
When they’re not knocking stuff over. Haha
These are not sold in europe apparently, anyone knows of an alternative that's not a mortgage for Broncolor Paras?
Godox is coming out with their own line quite soon.
Doesn't this completely defeat the effect of this being a parabolic modifier. The white diffusion in the front turned this into a focus able softbox not a parabolic. I suppose this is a 3rd way that this modifier can be used but it's not the 1st way that it should be demonstrated in my opinion.
Are you gonna make me pull this thing back out again?? 😩😂
I'm looking for parabolic focusing light contrast and falloff.
Great review. But I’m not sure I could use a soft box of that magnitude.
Why no
tbh i don't get why anything 'true parabolic' or even somewhat parabolic is needed when used with a diffusor anyway? true parabolic is a very powerful light modifer when run without a diffusor, greatly changing the character of the light, and in several ways really unique in it's light quality. so when used with a diffusor i don't see much difference to a simple reflective umbrella + diffusor, and several sizes would allow great differentiation of size (weird sentence though). all that would be cheaper, far lighter and smaller, and even easier to use.
This is an unpopular opinion, which I share. There are many who think some kind of magic happens behind the diffusion layer that carries out and beyond. But wouldn’t that just mean that the diffusion layer simply isn’t working very well? 😂
Parabolix sells a "Universal Monolight Adapter for their parabolic modifier...might work
The Westcott 7 foot Octa, is my favorite. Yes. It is expensive. No. It's not a parabolic. But, the quality of light is beautiful, and the build quality is very good.
I think para with diffusion is a waste of it's primary specialty. Ofcourse it's handy if You need it, but to choose it creatively is not why people buy this. Without a team it's impossible to use it outside practically. 100cm softbox is impractical at windier days. It's possible but it is to much to worry about it falling even with H600 head. Sandbag is not an option with ad600. So this para is exclusively in studio (except with a team), but for diffused light is better option. 150cm softbox with double diffusion will do better. And will have a lot more even light.
Hi Wes, it's brute force which counts ;)
Hi, i am considering parabolic umbrella instead of this huge monster, have you checked Glow or Godox deep parabolic silver umbrellas? They are a better alternative to this big thing? Which one you would go to, Glow or Godox?
My only issue with Westcott 7 inch that it is not deep parabolic btw. But thanks for the great review
I think the whole deep parabolic thing is a bit over hyped, TBH. the Westcott umbrella is a staple with top end professional photogs the world over. They don’t care how deep it is 😏
I hope to test the Godox ones soon, when they become available in my country.
It's not strength intensive to open. You're doing it wrong. I've had a few of these. They're easy when done right. All of these shaped right, are the best light modifier you'll ever use. I've tried a bunch. The Broncolor is still the best. But these are a very close second. Silver internal and don't use the diffuser unless you just want a balanced softbox. The para light alone when you use the focus arm tops anything for portraits.
One of the main points. You have it focused in. Can aim the flash at the model from high. The edges are less lit and the center is the hotest light. Soooooo. You light the face brighter and have fall off surrounding the face. Well, don't you want the face lit the best and all others lighting falling off away from the main impact point?
;-)
1600 dollars for Hensel????
First 💪
And here I thought I’d lost you 😏
@@WesPerry NEVER BRO
😂👌🏻
Disappointing that the illumination of the front baffle is still so non-uniform at the longest official setting. If it were truly parabolic then there would be one focus point which uniformly illuminates the front baffle.
A lot of these so called parabolic modifiers are not even close to being so.
This don’t look so quick to me
The Zepelling does NOT have the true parabolic shape AT ALL. Please do not misinform the viewers. Its is also an old design. The GLOW is MUCH better and easier to setup too.
Have you tried the Zeppelin? When Westcott referred to it as the “Most cost-effective focusable parabolic available”, I kindof assumed that it was a focusable parabolic for some reason…🤔😂
@@WesPerry I had it. Aside from been a "Frankestein" set up compared to the more elegant Profond, the shape is not at all Parabolic. Sure you can focus it but that does not mean the actual shape is parabolic nor that it is going to collimate as it should with a true parabolic reflector. Sadly TOO many companies just throw around the term parabolic for products that are nowhere near the real deal :/
Trick is to find an assistant or an intern 👌🏽
Still working on that 😏
Do your self a huge favor and get a PLM from PCB and call it a day…you are using anyway with this awkward design the end of the stick , pun intended.
Absurdly big, and cumbersome. Better to subscribe for a gym...
😂
The trick to open is after opening the first, open the rod on the opposite side. Follow that approach and the tension will be less