Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I was looking through the reflectors & modifiers page in an effort to better understand the purpose of each item and thought I'd post a few questions here.

1. Since the gels and filters are 8"x10", can they only be used on 7" reflectors (i.e. the 7" standard reflector, the 7" umbrella reflector, and the LiteMod mainframe)? If so, would two 7" standards be the best reflectors to use if I want to evenly light a backdrop with gels? And furthermore, would I need two sets of color gels to achieve this?

2. Is the 7" umbrella reflector meant to block lateral light coming from the flashtube so that all light lands on the umbrella? Would this reflector be of any value when used with an Einstein & PLM combination?

3. Between the 8.5" and 7" standard, which has a more even distribution of light (i.e. less of a center hotspot)?

4. When comparing each reflector with its associated grids attached, is there any significant difference aside from the diameter of the reflector? Do the grids equalize the pattern of light with all reflectors?

5. Do any of the reflectors stack for travelling?

It all but covers the 8.5HOR. A little gaff tape can seal that up. As for the 7UR, the model lamps would need to be removed on the AB and WL lights to use gels with it.


Yes it is used to block lateral light, and was originally used for PLM's. However, with the design change of the PLM's, if you use the speedring, then you cannot use the 7UR, and would not really need it anyway.


Both are very, very even. The 8.5 has a tighter beam spread than the 7"


The patterns are very even with or without grids with all of our reflectors. Grids will sharpen the edges and choke the light down.



7, 8.5, and all three 22" dishes will stack pretty well, on top of a like reflector. 11" reflectors will stack to some degree.

Thanks TS, that was extremely helpful! I'm interested in using reflectors on main/fill lights in windy situations outdoors.

And just to confirm about lighting a background with two lights - will I need two sets of gels, one for each light, to evenly light a background? The 20-pack doesn't include duplicates, does it?

sorry, missed that. It will take as many copies of one gel as you have lights on the BG. If you have never used gels before, remember that any white light you add will dilute the color effect. This includes light from your main, fill, hair, etc. It is better to keep your subject pulled away from the BG as much as possible to keep unwanted light hitting the BG. Also, if the color is unsaturated, then you a- have too much white light, or b- have too much colored light. As counter intuitive as it may seem, lowering your color coutput will increase saturation, assuming there is no white light.

No, the CF20 is one of each of 20 colors.