Bowens S mount COB lights

[Polaroid22]

Hello,

I saw an episode of "gaffer and gear" and he pointed out that these COB style LEDS with bowens s mount give low output when using a softbox, but much more light when reflecting against a bounce board(obviously less controlled) and the opposite was true for HMI lights. I dont seem to find the episode where he goes on about this.

But I found it very interesting as this is why I use these LED cobs bowens s mounts lights. Using a softbox/stripbox.
But what light would give the best bang for buck while using a softbox?

Aputure 300d ii
Nanlite forza 300
amaran 200d

These are the only lights I found that had these effects built in(TV, paparazzi,broken bulb,...), and I think they will come in very handy.

 

[laverdir]

Yeah, those COB need deeper softboxes to have even spread, so called "Parabolic" ones.

 

[Polaroid22]

Yeah, those COB need deeper softboxes to have even spread, so called "Parabolic" ones.

yeah plan on getting the light dome II, which is parabolic. I rented an M18 once with a chimera softbox, and while it did its job. I thought it would be waaaaay more light then it gave on full power.

 

[ahalpert]

Yeah, those COB need deeper softboxes to have even spread, so called "Parabolic" ones.

Even with 2 layers of diff? I havent metered it, but the front of my glow 60" octabox looks pretty even with a cob behind it and 2 layers of diff. It's relatively deep of course but proportionally wider as well

 

[Eric Coughlin]

I have had problems before with a soft box not being deep enough.

 

[Liam Hall]

Yeah, those COB need deeper softboxes to have even spread, so called "Parabolic" ones.

The biggest difference is the output of these COB lights is far higher if you attach its reflector. So, bouncing it will have more output than using it as a bare-bulb in a softbox.

 

[Polaroid22]

The biggest difference is the output of these COB lights is far higher if you attach its reflector. So, bouncing it will have more output than using it as a bare-bulb in a softbox.

Could they not design a softbox with a reflector built in. So you get more output?

 

[Liam Hall]

Could they not design a softbox with a reflector built in. So you get more output?

Softboxes are overrated. Just ping it through a 4x4 with some form of diffusion and you're good. You don't even need a frame... just hang a roll of diff from a grip arm.

 

[Polaroid22]

Softboxes are overrated. Just ping it through a 4x4 with some form of diffusion and you're good. You don't even need a frame... just hang a roll of diff from a grip arm.

You have very limited control that way though. I like to use softboxes + grid, so the light is very directional and doesnt spill on the walls or any other places where I dont want to light to hit.

 

[Liam Hall]

You have very limited control that way though. I like to use softboxes + grid, so the light is very directional and doesnt spill on the walls or any other places where I dont want to light to hit.

No, you have more control. You can put a grid on a 4x4, change the distance and spread between the light source and diffusion, change the diffusion, change the 4x4 for a 6x6 or 8x8...

Softbox is more convenient though.

 

[morgan_moore]

The biggest difference is the output of these COB lights is far higher if you attach its reflector. So, bouncing it will have more output than using it as a bare-bulb in a softbox.

Do reflectors make photons? (or just focus a distinct amount of light over a smaller area)

 

[Liam Hall]

Do reflectors make photons? (or just focus a distinct amount of light over a smaller area)

You know the answer to that. They shape the beam angle. Then you can control where it goes. With COB lights there is a massive difference in output with and without a reflector and with and without the fresnel attachment. It's fine if you have enough power in the COB, but if you're struggling you might find using bounce or whacking it through a frame renders better results.

I actually wonder if they can produce a beauty dish that might work well with COBs but that's another matter...

 

[morgan_moore]

For many reasons Im not drawn to softboxes*.. but with A 4.4 a lot of the light is lost boucing off the diff and back behind the light. A softbox with silver box (internally) and a diff front .. well the light has no where to go apart from out of the front - id be (and I have no test data beyond recent expericence with my new godox 200) most suprised if a softbox doesnt yeild the most power of a soft source.

*a typical softbox is too small to be a true soft wrapping source.. an 8.8 is more that.

 

[ahalpert]

Softboxes are just damned convenient. I can have a 60" umbrella open octabox up and ready with 2 layers of diffusion and a grid mounted on a COB using a single light stand and adjustable to any angle in 5-10 minutes without an assistant

Hanging diff from a grip arm...ok that's pretty fast too, but less secure, not as quick to reposition, needs a 2nd stand etc

Also - doesn't the degree of wrap depend on distance from the subject? So, for a moderately close interview you might get as much wrap from a 60" softbox up close as from an 8.8 farther away? Obviously, you can then get a wider shot from the 8.8, but...just sayin

 

[Liam Hall]

id be (and I have no test data beyond recent expericence with my new godox 200) most suprised if a softbox doesnt yeild the most power of a soft source.

I've tested it several times. Hence my advice earlier in the thread.

 

[Liam Hall]

Softboxes are just damned convenient.

Yup. And that's fine 90% of the time.

 

[morgan_moore]

Also - doesn't the degree of wrap depend on distance from the subject? So, for a moderately close interview you might get as much wrap from a 60" softbox up close as from an 8.8 farther away? Obviously, you can then get a wider shot from the 8.8, but...just sayin

Indeed.. but remeber the inverse square law. Having a box just out of frame (or 8.8 or anythng) the subject will get very hot it they move towards that side of the frame.

 

[cpreston]

Could they not design a softbox with a reflector built in. So you get more output?

A softbox is basically just a combination of a diffusion and a reflector. A softbox actually works best with a bare bulb if you are trying to get the best spread of light. I would think a COB would work pretty well in one.

 

[Polaroid22]

No, you have more control. You can put a grid on a 4x4, change the distance and spread between the light source and diffusion, change the diffusion, change the 4x4 for a 6x6 or 8x8...

Softbox is more convenient though.

oh yes, but dont forget the bounce reflection of the 4X4 on the light side, you would need to flag that off as well(depending what you are shooting). But for sure much more tiring, slow and more expensive setup then a softbox.

 

[Liam Hall]

oh yes, but dont forget the bounce reflection of the 4X4 on the light side, you would need to flag that off as well(depending what you are shooting). But for sure much more tiring, slow and more expensive setup then a softbox.

As I said, 90% of the time a softbox is perfect, but there are times even on small sets, where using frames/reflectors etc is better choice.