Suggest a gadget!

[Sean Setters]

Thanks Sean - great suggestion. I need an umbrella or two for indoor portraits, any suggestions?
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Personally, my favorite is the <span style="color: #3366cc;"]Westcott 43" White Collapsible umbrella--it's compact when folded, relatively rugged, and allows you to use it as a reflective or shoot-through modifier. My new toy is the Paul C. Buff Parabolic Light Modifier (Silver) . I haven't gotten to test it much yet but I'm loving it so far. You don't lose as much light when using it because it is specifically engineered for optimal efficiency.

[Mark Elberson]

My new toy is the [url="http://www.alienbees.com/plm.html]Paul C. Buff Parabolic Light Modifier (Silver)[/url] . I haven't gotten to test it much yet but I'm loving it so far. You don't lose as much light when using it because it is specifically engineered for optimal efficiency.
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What size did you get Sean? Do use it for group shots or just in place of your normal 43'' Westcott?

[Sean Setters]

My new toy is the [url="http://www.alienbees.com/plm.html]Paul C. Buff Parabolic Light Modifier (Silver)[/url] . I haven't gotten to test it much yet but I'm loving it so far. You don't lose as much light when using it because it is specifically engineered for optimal efficiency.
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What size did you get Sean? Do use it for group shots or just in place of your normal 43'' Westcott?
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I got the 42" silver PLM. I didn't see the need in getting a larger one because I'm strictly using it with shoe-mount flashes anyway. Because the PLM focuses light (much like a beauty dish), I don't think the 42" size would be good for a large group. I image it would be fine for a couple if they were right next to each other (I haven't been able to use it in a shoot as of yet, though...maybe this weekend).


I think of it as a higher-efficiency umbrella with a more interesting spot-light pattern.