GEAR MINI TESTS
NANLITE PARABOLIC 120 SOFTBOX £219/$199 nanlite.co.uk
SPECIFICATIONS Shape: 16-sided hexadecagon Mount: Bowens S Interior colour: Silver Diffusers: One- and two-stop Material: Fabric Dimensions (wxhxd): 120x120x70cm/47x47x29in Weight: 1.9kg/4.2lb
PARA TRIP The enormous Parabolic 120 is ideal for subtly boosting light levels in an interior scene
up using the two-stop diffuser as our shoot didn’t call for too much power – ambient light was relatively low. The Parabolic 120 was designed to go with Nanlite’s Forza LEDs as it has a Bowens-fit speed ring. We mounted it on a Nanlite Forza 720 and Aputure C300d II, and it went perfectly on both these COB-style lights. The Bowens fit means it’s compatible with many continuous and flash systems. One of the most tiresome aspects of large softboxes is putting them together. Not so with the Nanlite, as it has 16 flexible metal rods that click firmly into the speed ring once you open it up like an umbrella. To take it down, just push a button on each rod lock and it quickly folds away. As the Parabolic 120 is large, it’s hard to fit to a head that’s already on a light stand. We managed it, but it’s better to put the softbox face down on the floor and fit the head, then lift the whole set-up onto a stand. To make the light more directional, a fabric grid can be mounted to the
The larger the softbox, the softer and more flattering the light: that’s the golden rule for modifiers. So this 120cm/47in parabola-shaped dome from Nanlite ticks all boxes. Fit an internal baffle and it’s even softer. This 16-sided light shaper offers soft output that doesn’t spread too much, thanks to its form. Next to a flatter kit, the deep modifier produces serious fall-off at the edge, for more directional control and easy feathering. It comes with one- and two-stop front diffusers that can work together, go on one at a time, or be left out altogether to achieve different levels of contrast and intensity. We ended
front via hook-and-loop fasteners. This is a £95/$76 optional extra, but we didn’t have one to test. The Parabolic 120’s size was its biggest benefit: the light it produces is very soft when used relatively close to a subject. Output was fairly even across the front of the softbox, especially with the two-stop diffuser. A versatile and large modifier that works great, fits on lots of lights, folds up quickly into a compact bag, doesn’t cost the earth or weigh too much. A definite recommendation. PRO MOVIEMAKER RATING: 9/10 Great-value, extra-large parabolic softbox that’s fast to use Pros: Very big, not expensive Cons: No grids included
QUICK FIT The modifier comes in a
handy carrying bag and can be assembled in seconds
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PRO MOVIEMAKER
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