56-inch Moon Unit 56-inch Moon Unit 56-inch Moon Unit 56-inch Moon Unit
56-inch Moon Unit™
Part Number: MU56
Price: $59.95
Quantity:
Currently on backorder. Due to vendor delays we are currently expecting to ship mid-June.

56-inch Moon Unit™

  • unique softbox-like accessory for the ringflash
  • 56-inch round, on-axis light source
  • produces subtle, controlled shadows
  • with center hole for aim-through use
  • minuscule depth and weight
  • reversible silver or white interior
  • for use with the ABR800 and ZRM1 ringflashes only
  • arrives with rotating speedring for attachment
  • 60-Day Absolute Satisfaction Guarantee
  • 1-Year Factory Warranty
The 56-inch Moon Unit™ is a highly adaptable accessory for our AlienBees™ ABR800 ringflash or our Zeus™ ZRM1 Ringmaster head. It acts as an extremely low weight, ultra thin 56-inch octabox, or a giant 50-inch ringflash for conventional use, or a shadow-free halo light when mounted on-camera for traditional aim-through ringflash use. The various shapes offer a variety of degrees of diffusion and blocking of direct flash.

Because of its miniscule depth and weight, the 56-inch Moon Unit™ can be easily hand-held on the camera or used in small studios with low ceilings where other modifiers of this size won't fit.

The MU56 consists of a speedring that wraps the Moon Unit™ around the ringflash to maintain a thin profile and optimal center of gravity. Eight fiberglass rods and a reversible silver/white fabric form a thin, umbrella-like structure. A system of reflectors and diffusers is attached to the ringflash with its quick release mechanism. These may be used in a variety of configurations for differing degrees of diffusion.

Different front diffuser fabrics with silk-screened pattern masks are available with a center hole for on-camera "aim-through" use, and without the center hole for conventional off-camera applications. When configured as an aim-through or conventional softbox of various shapes the light quality and evenness rivals that obtained with conventional softboxes weighing considerably more and having five times the physical depth.

The 56-inch Moon Unit™ foundation package includes the speedring, 8 fiberglass rods (plus two spare rods), the reversible silver / white outer fabric, the primary and secondary diffusers and the reflector / diffuser holders for both aim-through (on-camera) and conventional "no center hole" configurations for off-camera use. Add to this your choice of Front Diffuser Fabrics (sold separately) to complete your Moon Unit™.
Weight: 30 ounces

Depth: 2.75 inches
Depth with the ABR800™ AlienBees Ringflash: 7.25 inches
Depth with the ZRM1 Zeus™ Ringmaster: 5.5 inches

Diameter: 56 inches
(note: the exposed diameter varies with the use of different front diffusion fabrics)
Included Diagram

  1. the reversible silver / white fabric backing (MU56SWF)

  2. 8 fiberglass rods to form the frame of the unit (MU56RDS)
    + 2 spare / replacement rods for your convenience

  3. the ABRSR black speedring

  4. the 1060832 primary diffuser

  5. the 1060833 secondary diffuser

  6. the 1060829 aim-through diffuser / reflector holder

  7. the 1060830 non-aim-through diffuser holder

  8. the MUPCH 56-inch Moon Unit™ carrying pouch

  9. your MU56 Owner's Manual


Note: Instructions for assembly of pieces are included in the manual.
Flash Units: The MU56 56-inch Moon Unit™ is designed for use exclusively with Paul C. Buff™ ringflash units - the ABR800 AlienBees™ Ringflash and the ZRM1 Zeus™ Ringmaster flash head. The MU56 cannot be used with any other flash units.

Front Diffusion Fabrics: The MU56 56-inch Moon Unit™ is designed for use with our various Moon Unit™ Front Diffusion Fabrics. We offer seven fabrics for seven different light-shaping capabilities: the DF56OCH, DF50RCH, and DF50RNGCH with cut center holes for traditional aim-through ringflash use, and the DF56ONH, DF50RNH, DF39SNH, and DF39WPNH without center holes for off-camera use.

Carrying Bag: The MU56 56-inch Moon Unit™ disassembles to fit inside one compartment of the MUBAG Moon Unit™ Carrying Bag, leaving room in the two remaining compartments for a ringflash, other flash, an additional Moon Unit™ or other small accessory.

Speedring: Each MU56 56-inch Moon Unit™ arrives with the rotating speedring for attachment. For replacement needs only, the ABRSR is available for purchase separately.

For other replacement parts, see our Moon Unit™ page.