Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I have the opportunity to photograph the local soccer(football) club this year.

I have 2/800 and a 400 AB

Could someone please suggest a modifier that would do the job. I'm thinking PLM but am unsure as to the size. There will be a varying number of players in each team, ranging from juniors with about 8 players through to seniors where the number may be closer to 20.

If the PLMs are considered the way to go should I be using the black back cover accessory to prevent the light going through the mod?

If the PLMs are not the way to go, then what?

I hope to take these outdoors, but if like last year will need to move into a crappy rundown stadium.

Help with MODs would be really helpful.

Cheers, Mal from Cessnock AU

Read this. It should help a great deal.
http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_ ... 0046-10396

Thanks Dick - I saw this and this is the reason I'm asking for advice. Figured some contributors may have their own references to enlighten me on.

A great article - I will read it again, but I don't remember Rob going into specifics.

Cheers, thanks a bunch - Mal from Cessnock AU

It sounds like you are planning to do posed single/team shots only and no actions shots. If so,
I think that you are on the right track with the PLM's. Personally, I would go with a couple of the large silver ones.... plus a bunch of sandbags since you'll be outside. They are very efficient which will be a big help if it is sunny and they are large enough that you can back'em up for even coverage and still have a large'ish light source. If you are trying to light action shots too then you might also consider a retro laser.

>>a retro laser<<

What is a retro laser? Love to learn about this.

I would use my F/2.8 300mm and a "better beamer" bought from the states - it directs a narrow beam from a camera mounted flash.

But, I'm interested in this retro laser.

BTW Thanks heaps - I'm going to order two silver 64" PLMs - is this the right kit?

Cheers, Mal from Cessnock AU

Sounds like a reasonable kit to me. You might consider getting one bigger PLM and one 64" but I think you'll be good with two 64" units also.

I haven't used the retro laser but it looks like a good way to get a lot of light out onto the pitch. You would probably need someone to aim it for you though if you are following action since it wouldn't be attached to the camera axis like a better beamer.

http://www.alienbees.com/22rlr.html

Thanks for your help with this thread - you've helped me a lot.

Another question : I need a softbox or 2 for single full length portraits in my lounge room studio - what do your recommend?

I've heard/read the PLM with the white cover is great and makes a great softbox. Do you agree with this?

Or, would a Giant Softbox or Octabox be better. Then out of these two what would your preference be?

Cheers, Mal from Cessnock AU

I would suggest the PLM . . .almost the output of the Retro Laser, but much larger source size for shadow control. Also, if you use softboxes up close to a group of people you have light loss at the edges due to inverse square law. Since PLMs have 2-3 f stops more efficiency, you can place them well behind the camera and get the same exposure as softboxes placed much closer. By placing the lights further back, you make the distance from the center of the group to the outside more nearly equal and thus avoid the inverse square law fall off.

Thanks LUAP - still interested in finding out whether the PLM with diffuser is just as good as using a Giant Softbox or a Octobox - and if not, which is better out of the latter two.

That's a tough one... I'm not sure there is a "better" and so much depends on your style and preference. The PLM with diffusion does make a nice stand-in for a softbox and I can honestly say that since I received my PLM's the softbox stays in the bag a lot more.

One advantage of the softbox or octabox over the PLM is that they can be gridded though so if you like that flexibility then factor that into the decision.

In case you haven't already read through it.... viewtopic.php?f=8&t=24&hilit=plm+fabric+degree