Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I want to use my Speedlites with the 51" or 64" PLM. I have a few questions, and I was wondering if someone can help.
1. If I use just one speedlite (600EX-RT) then will the 64" be too big for it to be optimally utilized? Should I pick 51" in that case (my interest in 64" is due to the larger area of coverage, of course, but if it isn't fully lit that will defeat the purpose)?
2. I plan to use the PLM mostly as a circular softbox, but sometimes to bring out maximum output of the speedlite (which isn't that powerful to begin with ;) ) and sometimes for the specularity (say, shooting products). Now, the descriptions say that the soft silver is the most versatile. But if I am going to use the PLM both with and without diffuser as necessary, what am I losing out by getting the extreme silver? Some guidance will be fantastic.
3. I shall use the Speedlite using Godox S-type bracket (http://www.godox.com/EN/Products_S_type ... acket.html), using either the Elinchrom mount or the umbrella shaft. Now, how much of a difference will using a speedring make to the PLM/speedlite combo. I know it's pretty awesome for a monolight, but what about the directed light of a shoe-mount flash? How will the speedring vs umbrella shaft affect a bare bulb flash like the Quantum?
4. If the speedring is the better choice in the above scenario, then will the umbrella work for me if I later want to use it with a PCB monolight just by switching out the speedring for a Buff speedring, or would I need to use a different PLM? (of course, there is no speedlight bracket with Buff mount, hence using the Elinchrom mount- otherwise, I don't have any Elinchrom light).
Thanks a lot for your help.

If used "properly" (i.e. as a bare bulb light) then either will work fine. You will not lose much light by going up in size (our tests show about .1 to .2 of a stop per size increase).

If you use a speedlight as is with no diffusion cap (like an OmniBounce or the ones that were included with the Nikon SB800), then the size will largely be irrelevant as only the center will be lit, and regardless of how big the periphery is, it will be of no help.



The extreme silver may be more efficient (read: brighter), but it is also more reliant on proper placement of the light source. The Soft Silver is less efficent, but has smoother shadows and is less reliant on where the light is placed.



I am a little lost in how you expect to mount the light. The Elinchrom version has an Elinchrom Speedring. The linked adapter has a Bowens S mount. Are you planning on using a Elinchrom to S-mount adapter?

The soft silver will be barely affected, as long as the head of the flash is quasi close the center axis. Extreme silver will be more affected by any offset.




Ultimately, I would suggest using a Soft Silver 64" 8mm shaft PLM using a regular umbrella bracket. If you can lay the flash on its side, even better. Be sure to use either a bare tube style flash or get a diffusion dome. You can then take the umbrella and put it in an Alien Bee, Einstein, or just about any other light on the market (except Elinchrom)