Toronto Photography Meetup Group

I just order another AB800 with 15 degree grid for my BD.

Anyone has experience with 15 degree grid?

I was trying to find out from internet sources and TPMG, but no luck.

I went to Henry's to ask about the grid and one of the sales rep said, "I never heard anyone using grip for the BD".
And the other sales rep who were trying to help me said, "Yes same here. I didnt know what to find when you ask me grip for BD"

I was very supprise that people at henry's have no experience or knowledge on grids for BD.
Maybe its not popular set up?

Anyhow, back to my question, I know how grid works and the smaller degree will give you narrow beam or lights.
I am trying to use it for 1. Beauty shot and 2. Low key shot.

I want both to be fairly controlled and light only face or certain parts of the face.

Anyone who owns 15 degree grid can help me out here? - maybe post photos so I can have some sort of idea?


Thanks guys!

I don't know if it will be as narrow as you need it. Even at a very short distance, with the 15 degree grid, it would still be about a 24" spread. It's probably not a really popular setup because you are taking the light and spreading it using the beauty dish, then trying to narrow it again using a grid. If you put a grid on the AB directly, it will narrow the beam to something that you are probably looking for, but the light might be harsh. You can try to soften the light coming out of the bare AB+Grid or maybe create or find a smaller diameter beauty dish.



This link below isn't really detailed, but it gives you an idea. The beam is definitely more narrow, but it won't exactly help 3/4 or head shots.

http://www.daviddanielsphotography.com/blog/2009/12/alien-bee-beauty-dish-vs-the-alien-bee-strip-box/

ive used a 30 degree grid for my BD, but not to focus on precise areas, just to control spill onto the surroundings. The BD is pretty big so you wont get a precise small focused circle if that is what you are going for

I've use a grid on my BD in the past. I like. First BD I bought was an Elinchrom 27" dish and was disappointed when I couldn't find a grid for it. Elinchrom (at the time) saw no need for a grid for their BDs. Ended up modding a Speedo BD to fit my Elinchrom.

An example, here's a mag cover I shot back in 2010.



Dug up the info. It's a 35° grid. When I bought the kit, it was $290.US from BH and close to $500.CDN at Vistek. Now I see the same kit for $309 at Vistek now.

Ah thanks guys.

I will do test shoot and post up some photos when it arrives.

I do realize it will be spreading and trying to narrow it down so I have also order the grids for 7' reflector for really narrow low key shots.

But I have read many people use BD and grid + sock to shoot beauty shot (3/4). I would like to try out and see what happens.

Thanks so much for your imput.
All of you!

It arrived.

But the I just check the paper work form UPS and guess what, they charge extra $10 for brokers fee as PCB stated on their website......

its getting even harder and expensive for Canadian customers to ship anything from US now.

I tested 15 degree grid and its very narrow.
I think I can only light the face when I do beauty shots.
Now I am starting to think I should have picked up 30 degree instead.

Carlton, when you used 35 in the picture above, did it only light face and maybe the neck and shoulder area?
And How close was the BD? Just above the frame of the picture?

Do PCB do return or exchange to different items?
Have you guys ever done it? will it charge me extra shipping and tax???

Thanks again guys.

$10 brokerage fee is very generous.. i order some stuff off ebay, shipped via dhl, got charged $20 on brokerage fee, and the item is only $50

It wasnt there until late last year.

The reason folks select wolrd wide shipping is to avoid brokerage fee. It is already include it in. But they charge u again.

I dont think thats generous.

Wow, that was 2yrs ago and the brain is a bit foggy but from what I can remember, it was a 3 light setup. BD was about 5 or 6ft away. It'll do a 3/4 with mostly head and shoulders before it starts falling off. With 35degree, I thought that was as tight as I'd want a grid for a BD. When I read you were getting a 15 I thought that was a bit tight but everyone's got their own style.

Well I decided to keep the 15 and use it with AB1600 with little bit of more power. I think it will be tight but enough for me to work with it.

5 to 6ft? wow that's more than I thought.
I guess I was thinking more of beauty shot where the lights were just outside of the frame.

BTW, that photo of yours are killer! I like it very much!!

Thanks for your input!
Cheers!

If you dont mind a little DIY , go to homedepot/lowes and pickup a sheet of eggcrate grid for fluorescent lights. You can get 2x 22" grids out of it.

I eventually did get a 30 deg grid so if you wanna try em for comparison PM me. If you're close by enough I have no prob bringin em out for you to try.

I love to try out with my BD if you dont mind!

Thank you for amazing offer!

The cfl grids are usually silver colored, so you might have to spray black to control light like you want