GEAR
COB LED LIGHTS
MEGA MODS FOR COBS! When you have a small, focused light from a powerful COB LED, it’s ideal for a whole range of modifiers. Many of these were designed to work alongside photo flashes with small light sources. COBs work well with umbrellas and large softboxes, focused parabolic softbox attachments – even projectors and fresnels. Since many employ the age-old Bowens S-mount fit, there are plenty of options on the market. Proving most popular are parabola-shaped softboxes like Aputure’s Light Dome II, the Nanlite Parabolic Softbox 120 or the latest version from Rotolight. These are all perfect for producing soft and flattering light – for people as well as products. The 34.8in Aputure Light Dome II we tested seems to be the most in demand, but also comes in smaller sizes. Its 16 flexible steel support rods click into place, expanding to a 24in-deep softbox in mere seconds. When it’s time to take down, quick- release catches make this fast and easy. Inside is a highly reflective silver interior to maximise output. To soften the light, a small inner diffuser may be fitted. And Aputure also supplies two different front diffusers. The standard one cuts 1.5 stops of light, while the thicker version manages 2.5. A 40° fabric honeycomb grid is included to stop light spilling. Its deep parabolic shape does cause the light to be more focused than a flatter softbox, and this can lead to a slight hotspot in the middle
PROJECT THE RIGHT IMAGE This Nanlite device fits to S-mount LEDs and can be used with gobos to stunning effect (above)
spring-loaded door, in order to keep filters in place. For a larger softbox that puts out gentler, more flattering light, take a look at the Nanlite Parabolic Softbox 120 – a large, 120cm/47in parabola- shaped light dome. If you affix an internal baffle, this will become even softer. This is a 16-sided light shaper that doesn’t spread too much, thanks to its form. It comes with one- and two-stop front diffusers that can be employed together for even more softness – or left out to achieve different levels of contrast and intensity. To make the light even more directional, a fabric grid may be mounted to the front. To go the other way and focus the light, Nanlite’s new FZPJBM projection attachment comes in both 19° and 36° versions. We tested the 19° model for a tighter beam, but you can simply buy and retro-fit optics from the 36° for the best of both worlds.
of the output. That’s where the small, inner diffuser comes in. And the 2.5-stop outer one makes light more even across the whole front of the softbox. Additionally, the kit comes with a metal gel holder that goes inside the Light Dome II with a
WIDE BOY The Nanlite 120 is one of the largest parabolic softboxes you can buy in a Bowens S-mount fit (left)
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