Beauty Dish: Does anyone here use a beauty dish with their lighting setup? Which do you prefer? Silver or white? I've read that the white is more versatile but wonder of the silver...

JBTaylor Loc: In hiding again

Does anyone here use a beauty dish with their lighting setup?

Which do you prefer? Silver or white? I've read that the white is more versatile but wonder of the silver would compete better with the sun outside. I don't have a specific project in mind at the moment but found that the ones that fit some of my strobes are one sale. I often default to using my softbox but I'm trying to think outside the (soft)box.

TimS Loc: GA

I've been considering buying one, too, so I'd love to hear some responses.

lucylou

Hi JB, just in answer to your question, it's very easy to make your own and saves money. All you need are 2 white styrofoam bowls, some foil and 2 toothpicks.

kaybee Loc: Peterborough UK

lucylou wrote:

Hi JB, just in answer to your question, it's very easy to make your own and saves money. All you need are 2 white styrofoam bowls, some foil and 2 toothpicks.

Can you expand on this idea please? :?:

Eblong Loc: Colorado

lucylou wrote:

Hi JB, just in answer to your question, it's very easy to make your own and saves money. All you need are 2 white styrofoam bowls, some foil and 2 toothpicks.

I haven't tried this yet, it here's a link to PetaPixel describing how to make your own Beauty Dish. http://www.petapixel.com/2012/10/05/build-yourself-a-cheapo-diy-beauty-dish-using-styrofoam-bowls

guy145 Loc: Norridge IL

http://lifehacker.com/5949673/diy-camera-beauty-dish
look at this, it is a good diy

JBTaylor Loc: In hiding again

Thanks lucylou, Eblong, and guy145. I intend to try that and have saved the links. I like the simplicity and light weight to use with my shoe mount flash.

I'm still interested in thoughts from anyone using the commercial units. I've read that white is preferred in most situations for the spread and color. But some use silver for higher efficiency outdoors. Outdoors is where I wondered about having an efficient modifier that wasn't too susceptible to blowing over.

I also plan to get a grid for more directionality at some point.

The other question I have is about size. I'm looking at 16" but wonder if I'll wish I went larger later.

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

JBTaylor wrote:

Thanks lucylou, Eblong, and guy145. I intend to ... (show quote)

Outdoors I almost always use the Lite-Scoop. It is effective, light, and loses less light than most modifiers. That's important when competeing with the sun's light.
You can see it at www.litegenius.com

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

JBTaylor wrote:

Thanks lucylou, Eblong, and guy145. I intend to ... (show quote)

No question that bigger is better, but modifiers powered by flash guns cause light loss quickly as the size goes up. You mentioned you wanted it for outside for fill flash. I suspect the beauty dish is great for indoors . . . questionable for outdoors.

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

Weddingguy wrote:

quote=JBTaylor Thanks lucylou, Eblong, and guy14... (show quote)

I agree with wedding guy.
Chimera does make one that is collapsible for outdoor/travel use. Although quite a few photographers prefer this, I prefer the Apollo orb for outdoors.
I have both the silver and white PCB beauty dish. The white with a sock is better for a beauty shot. The silver, because of the specular nature, works better for guys. At least that's the way I use them. Beauty dish gives nice round catch lights. I only use the beauty dish for studio. I don't like hauling them around... To bulky.

CamObs Loc: South America (Texas)

DIY is OK if you are just using it for yourself. But if you use it in public it's like having a blue Rambler with a brown door and bald tires...still runs but attracts laughter.

JBTaylor Loc: In hiding again

Weddingguy wrote:

quote=JBTaylor Thanks lucylou, Eblong, and guy14... (show quote)

Thanks for the tip on the Lite-Scoop. I am interested in a softer portable light source modifier that doesn't lose any more light that necessary outside. Some advise not to mess with modifiers outside but I still like the light and little softer shadow transition.

The beauty dish would be for my studio strobe. I haven't decided whether go to the trouble to get a battery pack to lug it outside but thinking about the possibilities

gemlenz Loc: Gilbert Arizona

Also check the Rogue FlashBender

JBTaylor wrote:

Thanks for the tip on the Lite-Scoop. I am interested in a softer portable light source modifier that doesn't lose any more light that necessary outside. Some advise not to mess with modifiers outside but I still like the light and little softer shadow transition.

The beauty dish would be for my studio strobe. I haven't decided whether go to the trouble to get a battery pack to lug it outside but thinking about the possibilities