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One light, all the Power!

Focusable Parabolic Design
by Robert R. Sanders

models Bethany and Briana, San Diego, CA above Dr. Dan of ThePlanetDan.com and model Meka below

When I first started shooting with the Chimera OctaPlus 57 I was inspired by all that coverage; what a wonderful large bath of light. The versatility was so convenient as well, being able to adapt from a 5 foot spread to an even greater 7 foot simply by snapping on the addition. Wow. But what I didn't realize at the time was what a wonderful secret loomed just beyond the obvious...a focusable parabolic form reflector at 5 or 7 feet. Now that 'wow' moved up to something a touch more like WOW! And it was all possible with the incorporation of Matthews' brilliant adaptive engineering.

When I first saw the Matthews Magic Stand the idea and design immediately popped into my head, what a natural ability for this great piece of Matthews equipment. The reflective properties of the Chimera OctaPlus design and the versatility of the Magic Stand could create another great lighting effect from an already great light bank. This one with fall off and wrapping properties familiar to ring lighting and giant beauty dish performance. In fact, I all of a sudden had a very affordable, "focusable" reflector that other companies charged thousands of dollars for....a nice little gift all wrapped up in simple engineering and my Chimera OctaPlus Duffle bag.

model Victoria, San Diego, CA

Here's how it all goes together:

Items required: Chimera OctaPlus 57 (cat #s 6050, 6057,), #3750 Grip Head, #3770 Universal Grip Head Adaptor; Matthews Magic Stand™ with Runway Base #999042, Matthellini Clamp #420101, MSE 6" Pin w/Collar #429599, MSE Grip Head #350580, MSE Boa Bag - 15lbs. #299888 or 2ea 10lbs. Boa Bags #299887; Profoto Acute2R 2400 (used in example photos) #501-035, or Acute2R 1200 #501-032, with Acute2 Head #501-201, or ComPactPlus 600R monobloc #502-305 - at least 600ws recommended.

Setup: Assemble the Magic Stand™ so that the boom arm is perpendicular to the stand, lock the boom just short of the first joint, creating a balance arm that will hold the counter ballance Boa Bags. Now attach the Matthellini Clamp just outside the boom hinge toward the Magic Finger end of the boom: ensure the pin is pointing upward.

After assembling the OctaPlus in either a 5 foot or 7 foot configuration, affix one Grip Head to the Chimera Universal Grip Head Adaptor. The opening in the Chimera Speed Ring will be the channel that the boom will slip through, allowing the extension of the boom arm to hold the Profoto light head. Using the MSE Grip Head and 6" Pin w/Collar, complete the connection to the Matthellini Clamp that is already positioned on the Boom extension arm. Center the shaft through the Speed Ring while balancing the OctaPlus so it is perfectly aligned and perpendicular to the floor.

I cut a small disc - approx 12 inches outside diameter - piece of foam core, black & white, with a notch to overlap the shaft of the boom: the I.D. of the disc opening slightly larger than the barrel of the Profoto flash head. Setting the Magic Finger™ in an "L" position, the Profoto head mounts perfectly so that it points back into the OctaPlus. Run the cable down the shaft and through the speed ring, out to the stand: if you are using the Acute Pack you can plug the cable into the pack; if using a ComPactPlus monobloc, then you'd run the power cable out the opening. Place the disc, black side facing outward, onto the barrel of the Profoto head: this small reflector eliminates extreme light scatter and helps align the light to the edge of the dome.

photo courtesy of Ray Savage

Once assembled, you can use the joint on the extension arm of the boom to slide the Profoto head in and out of the dome of the reflector, focusing the light intensity to a desired effect: Inward is more concentrated and acute, outward to the edge for a greater wrap and coverage. When standing in front of the unit, a drop of 1/2 to 2/3 f-stop will occur simply because you are blocking some of the light - adjust accordingly.

This light is very powerful and wonderfully effective at distances of 4 feet to 20 feet from the subject. The examples shot of the models shown here are shot with both a 5 foot OctaPlus setup, as well as a full 7 foot. This equipment configuration is safe, very stable, and also very portable, a lighting utility that can travel anywhere and be used in four different configurations: 1) 5 foot OctaPlus with diffusion front, 2) 7 foot with diffusion front, 3) 5 foot focusable parabolic reflector, 4) 7 foot focusable parabolic reflector.

Matthews equipment, Chimera lighting, and Profoto light source make this wonderful tool a reality that anyone can make happen. All of this equipment can be employed and used both in studio, and on location, all for much less than what the expensive high end brand name parabolic reflectors 'alone' would cost.

model Yan, San Diego, CA