Toronto Photography Meetup Group

For those of you who are both AlienBees fans and have an interest in thier PLM ... the large one (86") is definitely huge. I didn't realize how big it would be once set up, and definitely won't be something I use in a house set up. However, I can see this being usefull for large group photos and for vehicles. I haven't had a good chance to try it out, but if here are a few photos to give you an idea just how big this thing looks in a house.

As a note, while I had the flash unit plugged in, it was not on for these photos. The light in the reflector is strictly from the window.

Can you also receive satellite TV signals with that?

damn..

the next SETI project?

I knew it, Paul is working for the government, his devices are designed to gather and send information to the Sats that US secret services use to undermine personal freedom of humanity

I have the 68" (or is it 64) either way I love it. Definitely a good buy.

Find the Mars rover yet?

I heard its stuck in a ditch.

How much did this cost you after conversion+shipping and etc? or did u order something else? I wanna get this (medium size or large size).

I think if I stand in the middle, I can hear the neighbors across the street

djja - not sure about the conversion charge, will have to check my Visa bill ... but the damn customes / duty charge was $65!!!! All I ordered with it was the reflector and the diffusion fabric. Freakin rip off.

Curious as to why there is duty on this? If it's AB isn't it made in the US? Doesn't photography gear not have duty? Or is it simply GST/PST? Hmm, so many questions

As far as I know it is tax only.

Did it come by UPS? They always hit you with "brokerage" fees on top of any tax. When ever possible I have everything shipped via USPS and Canada Post. Sometimes I pay tax, sometimes I haven't, but I have never been hit with so called brokerage fees.

Daryl

I ordered and received the 42" white PLM. No light stand yet, so cannot take photos yet.

I chose the UPS Saver option which jacked me off upfront a 50 something shipping cost. Upside is the COD part is only $15 for PST/GST, and no brokerage fee.

As soon as I clear work and get my gear in order I'll see what the PLM can do for a speedlite setup.

xactly! At least you know what you are being hit with up front. UPS Canada are weasels!

picked up the 86" from the fellow member last week. Looking to test it out this weekend outside! Hope the wind doesn't take it away Mary Poppins-style!

it supposedly packs quite a punch in light.

I would make sure you have an assistant holding it plus many sandbags .. it's going to be a windy weekend.

I orderedone last week how long did it take to come in from being on backorder I see it being a month maybe more it costed me 117 total plus taxes

Strapping a Vagabond 2 to it and other crap. I was actually thinking of cutting 2-3 small half moon-shaped flaps in it to allow wind through without losing too much light to make it safer....

Hmmm... or maybe Mr. Walczak can come and help me hold it down for the shoot and then i can let him use it for his own shoot (while i hold it) while he waits for his to come off back order? LOL

I'm defnatley heavy enough for iti

Well, Saturday turned out to be INSANELY windy and freezing cold so my shoot was cut short and hindered by not being able to stay out in the cold for very long to fine tune composition, etc. Nevertheless, we ran out and did a very quick shoot and ran away.

Big thanks to Vee who volunteered to come and assist, especially holding down the big PLM in the high winds.

The 86" PLM (silver) - useless in the wind unless someone is holding it. It's too big.
Otherwise, it put out a heck of a lot of light!! I'm very happy.

I used AB800 here, about 10-15 ft away from the model, at about 3/4rd power, with Vee standing in front of the PLM blocking some of the light and i was able to overpower the direct sun coming straight at my lens (top of frame).

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45337223@N03/4475414420/" title="DSC_5351fin by Edhuang, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4475414420_6835656fc1_b.jpg" width="1024" height="761" alt="DSC_5351fin"></a>

And here it is about 8 ft away at 60% power from the side. With so much power, i was expecting a harsher direct light, but the size of it really helps round it out.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45337223@N03/4474641017/" title="DSC_5445crop by Edhuang, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4474641017_0528110378_b.jpg" width="785" height="1024" alt="DSC_5445crop"></a>

I'm looking forward to using it when it's not cold and windy so i can take my time setting up some nice shots.

nah... for shooting vehicles u need a light modifier like this.. LOL



anyways, nice pick up....

Yeesh! So when are you buying the loft in Lawrence Market?

yeah, try taking THAT giant thing out in the wind! LOL

I'm not holding it down!

Anybody know if the 64" is big enough for a group or 4 or so?

I have the 64" plm and I would say yes but I would probably add another umbrella at least to give the look some shape.

I've done it works a treat. Just used another strobe and white shoot through for fill.