Chimera vs Diffusion flag

iamlance

iamlance

Well-known member
Hey, I'm trying to decide whether I should pick up a Chimera Video Pro Bank 1 Softbox (Small) and a speed ring for around $150 or a grip diffusion silk/frame. Which do you think is more useful? I do a lot of student short films with others using the setup as well, so it can't be too complicated. The lights I have right now are 2 Colortran 650w Mini-Pros and a 1k Mole Fresnel, but am looking to grab an Arri or Mole 300w soon as well. My biggest problem is the light is too hard and also spills onto the background too much. The softness and falloff of large diffusion sheets or a Chimera would help. Bounce boards help soften the light, but I need something better.

Would the Chimera (is the small big enough to help much? it's my only option) be better than a grip frame with a silk and diffusion?

Also, is the Pro version different than the Pro Plus version? Thanks!
 
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You cannot remove the diffusion from chimeras without the "plus" designation. The plus versions are all you really see on most sets since they allow you to do this if you want to put in light grid or quarter grid instead. Even for the standard version, 150 sounds awfully cheap, I would carefully inspect it for any defects if you're talking about picking it up used.
 
I am talking to the guy about it's condition already, but am unsure whether to spring on the deal before it is gone just in case it is bad. It's being sold by a large positively-reviewed company, so I don't think they are trying to rip people off. I figured that is what the plus feature did. Would that matter too much?

But more importantly, would that small of a softbox do much for me? I have 0 flags/silks at the moment, and only use reflectors and bounce boards. Assuming the quality is up to par, would the chimera be the best way to go?
 
Okay, I was terrified of missing the deal, so went ahead and bought the item (it was on eBay) as the company has a good return policy. Here's a link to the item (there's little specific item description): http://www.ebay.com/itm/331538246951?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I figured I could always sell the item for a little more than I paid after purchasing a speed ring for it, if necessary.

But my original question still stands!
 
Seems like a pretty good deal you got based on "new" pricing. I'm still confused by the listing if this is the pro plus model in which you can remove the silk.

is the small big enough to help much?
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Depends on what you are shooting. But they are of course, great softboxes. I think you done good....now go buy a speedring!
 
Cryogenic, that hasn't been working well enough for me, as the 2 650s are open-faced, not fresnel. I need the light softer!

Scott, that's my plan! I don't think it is the newer model though, but for my basic needs, it should work fine!
 
iamlance said:
I figured that is what the plus feature did. Would that matter too much?
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I'd want the most versatility possible, personally.
iamlance said:
But more importantly, would that small of a softbox do much for me? I have 0 flags/silks at the moment, and only use reflectors and bounce boards. Assuming the quality is up to par, would the chimera be the best way to go?
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In some instances, sure it could help. There are dozens of ways to achieve "soft" light, this is one of them. I would hesitate to say that it's the best way to go just as much as I would for any other light modifier, they all have their place.
 
Certainly, but anything will help. I didn't mean it was the very best, but a good solution for my situation. For soft light, I've been using 4x4 bounce boards, circular reflectors, different levels of diffusion, and a fresnel. I'm working on getting more fresnels, now have a chimera, and still plan on purchasing or using that DIY thread on building a butterfly/scrim jim myself.
 
In a large space bouncing a light or using a diffusion frame is fine. But if you're trying to control the spill in a small set they can be a problem. A Chimera is a great tool for light control, not just diffusion. Add louvers or an eggcrate to the Chimera for extra control.
 
Man, a small softbox - there's not a lot of times I get mine out other than tabletop.

I have some Photoflex Starlites, and I'll use the small softbox to turn them into open faced lights sometimes (I run Mogul HIDs in them with ballasts, so this is when I want daylight open faced with a lot of oomph).

A frame will give you a lot more control of light softness. A softbox (to me anyway) is more for low-key setups when you can't have light bouncing all over the place, and for closeups/tabletop, and very shiny/reflective stuff where you just want a flat plane in the reflections. So a softbox on a video/film type of set… usually it's a medium or a large, unless you're shooting pretty tight. A set of barndoors and some diffusion gel or toughspun will get you most of the utility of s small box - YMMV of course, all depends on how you light things.
 
Well, I'll have plenty of practice over the summer to see how it works for me compared to regular diffusion! I don't have any toughspun, but will make sure to look up what all the fuss is about it.

The seller did get back with me finally and said it does have the removable cover, but didn't seem to know the difference between the pro and plus model of the chimera (the removable cover is the difference). Hopefully I'll get lucky and it turn out to be the pro plus model after all!
 
Okay, I received the chimera! It came in perfect condition with a bag. It isn't the pro plus, so the white diffusion is sewed onto it, but there is velcro to attach other accessories like eggcrates.

What would be the best speed ring? I've seen a couple variations each around $100. It's going on either a Colortran 650w open-faced or Arri 300w fresnel. 5 in for both.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/13649-REG/Chimera_9640_Speed_Ring_for_Video.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/138133-REG/Photoflex_VC_B500A_Speed_Ring_for_Arri.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/124841-REG/Chimera_9642_Speed_Ring_for_Daylite.html
 
The first one is for the video pro bank, that's what I would get. Other ones might have the holes for the rods pitched at the wrong angle.
 
Okay, good point.
Is it just one ring, or a lot of adapters and a ring? The picture is a bit confusing.
 
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