Parabolic Light Modification System |
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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 PLM™ 7” 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.  2010 Professional Photographer Hot One Awards The PLM - Parabolic Light Modification System won for the "Light Modifier" category. 
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86" PLM
64" PLM
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PLM64U-S
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Silver 64” 16 Rib Parabolic Umbrella
NOTE: Item currently on backorder. |
$59.95
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PLM64U-W |
White 64” 16 Rib Parabolic Umbrella NOTE: Item currently on backorder. |
$32.95 |
42" PLM
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PLM42U-S |
Silver 42” 16 Rib Parabolic Umbrella Not available for online ordering. Please contact us at 1-800-443-5542 to place your order. |
$39.95 |
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PLM42U-W |
White 42” 16 Rib Parabolic Umbrella |
$25.95 |
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White Front Diffusion Fabric: Converts the PLM into a soft, high-output softbox when used with the black/silver umbrella. When used with the white umbrella and Black Outer Cover, it produces a very soft, wide-angle softbox. Only available in 86” and 64” sizes.
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PLM86-WFDF |
86” White Front Diffuser Fabric NOTE: Item currently on backorder. |
$27.95 |
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PLM64-WFDF |
64” White Front Diffuser Fabric NOTE: Item currently on backorder. |
$17.95 |
Black Front Spill-Kill Fabric: Produces a 180° Japanese Lantern light source (non-directional shoot-through umbrella with back spill control) when used with the white umbrella. Available in 86”, 64”, and 42” sizes.
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PLM86-BFSPKF |
86” Black Front Spill Kill Fabric |
$23.95 |
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PLM64-BFSPKF |
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$16.95 |
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PLM42-BFSPKF |
42” Black Front Spill Kill Fabric |
$13.95 |
Black Outer Cover Fabric: Eliminates unwanted back spill-light when used with the white umbrella, further maximizing the output in bounce mode. Also ideal for use with White Front Diffusion Fabric. (note: this cover is not needed with the silver umbrella).
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PLM86-BOC |
86” Black Outer Cover |
$23.95 |
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PLM64-BOC |
64” Black Outer Cover |
$16.95 |
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PLM42-BOC |
42” Black Outer Cover |
$13.95 |
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7” PLM Umbrella Reflector: For Paul C. Buff, Inc. lights. Projects all the light to the parabola and shields spill light. NOTE: Using the optional PLM™ 7” Reflector with the PLM™ umbrellas will block any undesired side spill, but is not necessary in most uses.
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PLMR |
PLM 7" Umbrella Reflector |
$12.95 |
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.
The PLM Umbrella Reflector should be used in all configurations with Paul C. Buff, Inc.™ lights for optimal performance.
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