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PLM SYSTEM™ PRINCIPLES
Parabolic reflectors are often misunderstood by photographers. A common response to the PLM™ system is: "That looks like an umbrella - it can't possibly perform the function of those gigantic deep parabolic reflectors offered by other manufacturers."
In a conventional deep parabolic reflector (see fig. 1) only a portion of the available light is directed to the parabola and is directed as a focused beam toward the subject. The remainder (shown in red) escapes as unfocused spill light.
In the PLM™ system (see fig 2) the special 7" reflector directs all of the light onto the 16 segment parabolic surface in an exact 180° field. 100% of the light is focused by the parabola and none escapes as direct spill light. The result is higher output than a deep parabolic system, virtually no spill light, extremely even coverage and a lightweight, portable system that can be mounted on standard light stands and easily transported and set up.
By positioning the light unit at the exact focal point, the silver PLM™ light modifiers produce an extremely high-output narrow shaft of light with smooth coverage and feathered edges. This results in very large, virtually round light sources that produce intense yet soft lighting due to the vast f-stop increase in subject illumination over softboxes or conventional umbrellas.
Moving the light unit into the parabola slightly defocuses the beam to produce a wider pattern at slightly lower output.
The optional front diffuser converts the Silver PLM™ into an exceedingly efficient softbox with exceptional evenness across the face and moderately wide illumination patterns.
PLM™ umbrellas with white satin fabric form virtually round bounce or shoot-through light sources with extremely even surface brightness and wide smooth lighting patterns. Optional black covers and front diffuser panels offer a wide array of lighting styles.
86" PLM shown
The PLM SYSTEM™ is a modular light modifier system that can quickly be configured as a large, HIGH-OUTPUT, VIRTUALLY ROUND PARABOLIC REFLECTOR, as a WIDE OR NARROW BEAM SOFTBOX, or as a BOUNCE OR SHOOT-THROUGH UMBRELLA, with or without spill control.
While usable with most flash units capable of accommodating an 8mm shaft, it is most effective with Paul C. Buff, Inc. lights that produce a true bare bulb capability, in conjunction with the 7” PLM Umbrella Reflector.
The PLM SYSTEM™ comes in three sizes: 86” (75” across the face), 64” (55” across the face), and 42” (39” across the face). Umbrellas are generally specified by the arc dimension rather than across the face.
COMPONENTS
- Silver 16 Rib Parabolic Umbrella: Silver inside, black outside. Projects a soft but narrow beam of light with a pattern and high output similar to a 40° reflector. Two to three f-stops more output than a typical softbox. Available in 86”, 64” and 42” sizes.
- White 16 Rib Parabolic Umbrella: White satin diffusion/bounce fabric. Projects a wide, soft beam for soft studio lighting with uncontrolled spill. Available in 86”, 64” and 42” sizes.
- Black Outer Cover Fabric: When placed over the outside of the white umbrellas, produces a soft bounced light.
- White Front Diffusion Fabric: When used with the silver/black umbrellas, a soft, high-output softbox results. When used with the white umbrellas and the Black Outer Cover, a very soft wide-angle softbox results. Available in 86”, 64” and 42” sizes.
- Black Front Spill-Kill Fabric: When used with the white umbrellas, a 180° Japanese Lantern source is produced (non-directional shoot-through umbrella with back spill control). Available in 86”, 64” and 42” sizes.
- 7” PLM Umbrella Reflector: For Paul C. Buff, Inc. lights. Projects all the light to the parabola and shields spill light.
The PLM Umbrella Reflector should be used in all configurations with Paul C. Buff, Inc. lights for optimal performance.
PLM System™ Prices
| PLM86U-S | Silver 86” 16 Rib Parabolic Umbrella | $74.95 |
|---|---|---|
| PLM86U-W | White 86” 16 Rib Parabolic Umbrella | $44.95 |
| PLM64U-S | Silver 64” 16 Rib Parabolic Umbrella | $59.95 |
| PLM64U-W | White 64” 16 Rib Parabolic Umbrella | $32.95 |
| PLM42U-S | Silver 42” 16 Rib Parabolic Umbrella | $39.95 |
| PLM42U-W | White 42” 16 Rib Parabolic Umbrella | $25.95 |
| PLM86-WFDF | 86” White Front Diffuser Fabric | $27.95 |
| PLM64-WFDF | 64” White Front Diffuser Fabric | $17.95 |
| PLM42-WFDF | 42” White Front Diffuser Fabric | $14.95 |
| **PLM86-BFSPKF | 86” Black Front Spill Kill Fabric | $23.95 |
| **PLM64-BFSPKF | 64” Black Front Spill Kill Fabric | $16.95 |
| **PLM42-BFSPKF | 42” Black Front Spill Kill Fabric | $13.95 |
| **PLM86-BOC | 86” Black Outer Cover | $23.95 |
| **PLM64-BOC | 64” Black Outer Cover | $16.95 |
| **PLM42-BOC | 42” Black Outer Cover | $13.95 |
** these items are for use with the WHITE PLM Umbrellas ONLY
New Reflectors for all Paul C. Buff, Inc. lights.
7” PLM Umbrella Reflector $12.95
Illuminates PLM components and standard umbrellas right to the edges with no side spill.
8.5” High Output Reflector $19.95
45° coverage with feathered, smooth edges, includes grid holder. *
11” Long Throw Reflector $29.95
Deep elliptical design provides 32° coverage with extremely high output. Includes grid holder. *
22” High Output Beauty Dish $79.95
Matte bright aluminum and special contour provides very high output over a smooth 40° field. Shield blocks direct light for softness. Comes with diffusion sock for optional wider coverage and softer output. Includes grid holder. *
* grids coming soon