Photography News Issue 30

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Photography News Issue 30 absolutephoto.com

First tests

MagModMagSnoot flashmodifier £40

Specs

Price £40 (plus £20 MagGrip) Internal camera compartment 21x22.3x9cm Selected compatible speedlights Canon: 380EX, 420EX, 430EX, 430EX II, 540EZ, 550EX, 580EX, 580EX II, 600EX-RT; Metz: 44 AF-1, 52 AF-1, 52 AF-2, 58 AF-1, 58 AF-2; Nikon: SB-24, SB-25, SB-26, SB-28(DX) SB-50DX, SB-80DX, SB- 600, SB-700, SB-800, SB-900, SB- 910; Olympus: FL-50R, FL-600R; Pentax: AF540FGZ, AF540FGZ II, AF360FGZ; Phottix: Mitros, Mitros+; Pixapro: Li-Ion580, Li-Ion580ETTL, Li-Ion580ITTL; Sigma: EF-610; Sony: HVL-F60M, HVL-F58AM, HVL-F56AM; Vivitar: DF-286, DF-293, DF-383, DF-483, DF-583, 385HV; Yongnuo: YN560, YN560-II, YN560-III, YN568EX-II, YN565EX Dimensions 12.7x12.7x6.4cm (folded) Weight 272g Contact magnetmod.com essentialphoto.co.uk

hairlight effect

Spot on backgrond

Above The MagSnoot attaches to the basic MagGrip collar via magnets, and its silicone rubber design can be extended to channel the light as desired.

Spotlight effect

No lighting from snoot

The silicone rubber is surprisingly

Although you can get good results from your speedlights just as they come out of the box, there’s no doubt that using modifiers on them brings benefits; without modification, and despite most featuring small built-in diffusers and reflector panels, the light is usually either too harsh, or not able to be directed where you want it. The first (and often only) modifier people go for is a diffuser, which will spread and soften the light. Less common is the use of kit that restricts light, like grids and snoots. This isn’t surprising, as diffusing the light makes it less contrasty, softens hard shadows and produces a more flattering style of portrait. But after some experimentation, many photographers find what’s missing is that ability to direct the light, producing crisper results, and highlighting only certain parts of the subject, so you can achieve hairlight, sidelight or spotlight effects. These styles, used in conjunction with a key light, can really add something special to your lighting set-ups, so getting the right kit is vital. Enter the MagSnoot, part of the MagMod system, which, like the other parts of the range offers an innovative design based on silicone rubber and magnets. The MagSnoot is used in conjunction with the basic MagGrip accessory, and if you’re unfamiliar with the system, this is essentially a rubber collar that stretches over your speedlight’s head, and to which a range of modifiers are then fitted. The MagGrip can be bought on its own (for around £20), or as part of the MagMod Basic Kit (£70), where you also get a MagGrid and MagGel filter holder and gels (both of which we enjoyed in issue 25 of PN ). You can

also get the MagSnoot as part of the completeMagMod Kit at around £220. The MagSnoot attaches to the MagGrip with the same reassuring snap as the other products in the line- up, thanks to the very strong magnets used (due to the latter, none of the MagMod range should be left around items sensitive to magnetism, such as speakers, hard-drives or your bank cards). And because of the lightweight silicone rubber used (the unit weighs only 272g), when fitted, the MagSnoot feels light and therefore doesn’t put much pressure on the flash head; so where some devices would make it topple forward it’s rock solid. Its silicone construction also contributes (literally) to the MagSnoot’s flexibility; unlike a regular, rigid snoot, the modifier can be pushed and pulled, folding in on itself, or extending to provide four different lengths, and therefore focus or widen the beam of light. So, in its retracted position, the MagSnoot gives a 40° spread of light, making it similar in output to the MagGrid; but pull the rubber out to the next section and it narrows to 20°, then 15°, and finally to 12.5° at stage four. In fact, due to its integrated gel slot, which can hold up to two gels you could get away with buying just the MagSnoot (rather than the MagGrid and Gel), but as you’ll want options for multiple guns there’s no harm in having both. A set of gels on its own costs £20. In use, the MagSnoot feels great, with the rubber springing out easily and holding firmly in place where desired. This collapsible design also means that it folds neatly down to only 6.4cm thick, making for easier transportation in its included bag. Folding isn’t quite as straightforward

as extending the snoot; I found it easiest using two hands, but it can be done with one; it just takes practice. The silicone rubber is surprisingly strong, with both good elasticity and retention of its original shape; nor does it split or tear under prolonged handling. The only real issue, as previously observed in the MagMod design is that its rubbery finish sees it getting a bit fluffy after repeated use as it picks up lint; that doesn’t affect its operability of course, but you might want to wash it down occasionally. The inner of the MagSnoot is the same black rubber which does cost a little power due to the lackof reflection, but it still has an impressive throwdue to the channelling effect of the design. Tested on the Interfit Strobies Pro- Flash TLi speedlight (also reviewed this issue), adding the MagGrip was a bit of a stretch due to the size of the

flash head, but it went on fine in the end. Exposure through the snoot was a little inconsistent in TTL mode and had a tendency to hot-spot as it was focused. More consistent results were found using manual power settings. The light produced is lozenge shaped rather than circular (and becomes more so as the flash head is zoomed) which could be a problem if you’re after a perfectly round spotlight effect, but I didn’t find it an issue for hairlight or sidelighting effects. An issue related to the shape of the light is that it’s always going to look horizontalorvertical,andthereforethe flash needs to be angled to fit it to the subject. The MagSnoot can’t be easily rotated as it only has two magnets (not four as in the MagBounce’s circular design), but this doesn’t affect the shape anyway; only tilting the flash over changes the orientation. KS

strong, with both good elasticity and

retention of its original shape

Above We got some very good results from the MagSnoot, using it to create simple but effective effects like hair and background lighting – a big improvement on the key light alone.

Verdict

With plenty of snoot and grid options out there for speedlights, the MagSnoot faces some stiff competition, but it fares well. The MagMod system it’s based upon is incredibly easy to use, and the MagSnoot fits in perfectly, providing loads of effects in a single package. If you’ve bought into the MagMod system already, it’s a great addition; it’s also a decent reason to invest if you haven’t already. Pros Easy to use, range of effects, light, sturdy and small Cons shape of light, can’t rotate through 90°

Above By extending or folding the rubber snoot the light output can be channeled from its 40º to a minimum of 12.5º.