I actually bought one of those independent modifiers, but it also has blades. It also produced so much heat that it damaged my Amaran 200d, as there is nowhere for the heat to disperse. Here are a few things to consider if buying one of these: 1. Powerful continuous lights generate heat that has nowhere to go, so will probably get damaged. A flash is different, obviously. 2. The lens that came with mine was an f1.7. If you have a wider aperture, it will be more efficient, and there will be more light. 3. Different focal lengths offer different projection sizes, just like on a camera, so you have a bit more control that way. A zoom lens will allow some nice, quick adjustment, but the smaller aperture will affect the output, so it's a tradeoff really. Anyway, I hope there is some useful info for anyone looking at these things, and as always, thanks Karl for another great video.
Thank you Karl for this video comparing the alternatives. Generally speaking you are right. The Broncolor Picolite with the projection attachment gives you a more precise way of creating small slits of light e.g.! You choose an attachment for the Godox Flash without Blades. But there are projection attachments in the market with Bowens Bayonet available having these blades as well! (Jinbei DP-06 Focusing Snoot) Additional you can change the lens in front. Mostly these projection attachments have a Canon Bayonet and are sold with a 50mm lens. The Jinbei Version offers a 150 mm lens, that allows more distance to the object than the 50mm lens you used on the Godox flash.
Thank you for mentioning the Jinbei focusing snoot. Ice been looking for an alternative to the picolite and all I could find was the one Karl used in his video. Seems like the Jinbei snoot gives that extra bit of control , similar to the picolite.
Just joined as a monthly member and signed my lease today on my first photo studio! 400sq ft and another 200sq ft office! Your video was inspiration Karl
I purchased the Godox device and the Gobo Blade kit (four blades) that's available for it. It actually works much better than you would think for the money. Considering the Picolite system will set you back just under $3,000 USD vs. under $500 USD for the Godox system (complete with all accessories. It's a decent starter kit for this type of lighting. Be aware though that you'll likely need to own or purchase Godox lights or it may not fit even though it's a Bowens mount. The adapter may not fit over the flash tube or LED core.
Karl, we are currently testing the Godox S60 with the projection attachment (Aputure also has a similar light) it is a continuous light and not a flash although they have an adaptor for their flashes. We will publish our findings in a video in a couple of weeks but it is certainly better than the unit you tested which is a generic design that many manufacturers sell under different names. I do agree that so far I have found no design for a projector that I find to be truly good - they all have issues and are at best fiddly. I think these devices need a re-think from the ground up with millimeter screws (similar to what you have on macro sliders) for extra fine precision, better cooling, magnetic gobos with much easier-to-place holders, and many other changes. I have talked to several manufacturers about that although I am not sure if they will go ahead and do something about it any time soon this is a small niche market after all. Iddo
This is great. That was a good rundown of the differences. A nice option for those that don't necessarily have the budget, but have time to spend. Obviously people will have to make that evaluation and call on which is more valuable to them, a light that meets the needs and you can just productively use "out of the box", or one that can be made to work for a fair number of situations with some time and effort.
Another great video Karl. You can actually buy the adjustable blades like the ones in the Pico light for the inexpensive unit for about $50 USD. Mine is in the mail so I can't speak for the quality or if the shape holds.
@@vishanthgp yeah bro cant find any leads to these modifiers here in india we are really limited to such thing and if there is an option it will come with a huge price tag when compared with the other markets 🙁
I have recently added one from Pixapro. Only just got to use it on Friday as my friends and photographers assist kept on borrowing the dam thing. The version you have on the Godox (Pixapro) light is the EF mount version, they also do one with a fixed lens which is the one I have. I also have the iris insert and blade inserts which work really well. It does like any of these things eat light. My studio heads are all either 400 or 600ws so I am contemplating a more powerful pack and head for this and other duties also. Optical snoots/Projection modifiers are a tone of fun to use and experiment with. Enjoying getting to know mine now I finally have it back. lol
Interesting comparison but you didn't mention that the Picolite uses a 100mm lens vs a 50mm (60mm?) lens for the Wellmaker China projector on the Godox light and what the projection lens apertures were. The focal length of the projection lens obviously effects the size of the projection while the aperture is important for efficiency. The size of the condenser lens inside the projector is also important for efficiency. The Wellmaker projector you tested uses a Canon EF mount lens so if, like me, you are a Canon DSLR user you can use your own lens or you can pick up a new or used lens. For a new lens the Canon EF50 f/1.8 STM sells for about $125 or the Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 lens can be had for $66 new. A used EF50 f/1.8 STM is less and is also a great lens for street photography (too short for portraiture). The Wellmaker China attachment you used is being superseded (not yet available) by an improved version with a better condenser lens and better heat dispersion so it can be used on up to 1600 Ws lights. A 60mm L-60 lens will also be available from Wellmaker China.
Thanks for the great presentation of these lights. A really cheap alternative to these is the 50 Watt halogen projection lamp „Isbrytare“ from IKEA. It’s used about 5-15 Euro here in Germany and it comes with different gobos, structured glass like icy windows, colored glasses and the gobo blades as well. It’s not as bright as these lamps here, but if you use a longer shutter speed ist will work really good. Good luck for getting one!
Karl, if you want a precision hole, try making an adaptor, which you can thread in nozzles, like a tip of a welding tourch, or a carburetor jet, these are precision holes, and the adaptor would allow many of such jets to be quickly added to the light varying the hole size.
I started collecting 5 oz silver coins, mostly low mintage with high reliefs. The most I’ve done is inspect them and keep them safe. Waiting to have a more controlled environment for lighting. Plus I want to take extreme care of the specimens and not ruin the artistic value. These lights really do open up all sorts of doors on the creative side. The narrow light that cuts down to a sliver would make things real interesting. Especially with one on each side of the coin. I’ll have to look over your playlist and see if you’ve dealt with coins much 😀
I used (animation/film studio) old cheap color negative/slide projector with superb accuracy, and black paper cuts. nothing was better yet :D had to make a small plate to put it on a stander. I can highly recommend it.
Excellent explanation with the maximum of detailed information. Whilst watching this video it struck to me that based on the level of information, the versatility, the details in explanation , the absence of jibber jabber and absence of poor jokes, and the possibility to discuss other opinions with commenters in a decent way without feeling attacked, I have to say that your channel is the best Photography channel I am subscribed too. And there is some tough competition I may add e.g other Hasselblad shooters who shoot for well-known famous magazines. Unfortunately for you there is not more to gain than this comment of appreciation, no Academy Awards, red carpets and dressed up celebrities ;-) Anyways, thanks for all the effort you put in the video's and knowledge sharing. Have a great day !!!
Thanks for the comparison. It's great to see their possible uses in a professional setting. FYI, I have been looking at the cheaper alternative for a whole now. You can get blades for them and, as far as I'm aware, they can also take Size M gobos, giving you access to the Rosco range. With the ability to change lenses, and therefore focal length, it allows for different projection sizes which helps when there is limited room to back up the light... i. e. Home studio users.
Given that the cheap unit uses a standard SLR lens for the projection, you should be able to get a smaller spot by using a longer lens. As a bonus, you'll gain a bit of light (although you'll likely lose a bit to a smaller aperture, so it may just come out in the wash). There have been a raft of inexpensive 135mm EF-mount lenses over the years with something in the f/2 to f/2.8 range that should get the light back a good ways whilst keeping the spot small. And since the Canon mount has a short flange distance, one ought to be able to use a cheap adapter (it doesn't need to be an automatic) and an old manual-focus lens as well, opening up a world of bargain glass.
Godox has the SA-17 Bowens Mount Adapter with Godox SA-P Projection Attachment. From what I have seen there are loads of attachments, blades, iris, lenses, scrims and of course any M type gobo patterns made for it unfortunately right now they are on back order nothing available till late July or Aug. I'm waiting and waiting for mine.
Another amazing video, I just discovered an alternative way, there is an optical spot from Westcott by Lindsay Adler, it's compatible with Bowens, Profoto, Elinchrom, and Broncolor.
Sorry a little confused, you said one light was 600 W (1 J = 1 W/s), one is 1800 W and the big one is 3200 W, so you downed them all to 600 W, but why do they all look so dim? I mean if the 600 W is running at 600 it should be a lot brighter I'd think? Thank you!
interesting options, and nice to see some examples of the broncolor range of lights, but can a nanolite, or the mobiled head (for the 1200J move battery pack) do the same thing, ie as they are smaller lights?, and as you did in other videos, use a softbox, etc, with a grid in front of these modifiers, to harden the light.
I’m impressed by the amount of control of the picolite and projector. I invested in a godox version just a few days ago and expecting it in tomorrow. My question is how far were the lights roughly away from the wall during these tests?
Broncolor version: $13900USD, Godox version: $1350 USD. Just how precise do I need anyway? A little post production burning and dodging and I can save myself well over $10,000.
Clearly, Karl is sold on the Picolight. I understand that he's a Broncolor ambassador so he has a commitment to them. I believe that there's a lot more options available for less expensive solutions - with and without adjustable blades and variable iris mechanisms. It would have been nice if he could stop selling and cater more to the financial limitations to many of his KTE members.
I'm not ALWAYS so negative. Why don't you address my questions/comments? I DO appreciate most of your training and there is a lot I can learn from you. If I have legitimate questions/concerns I should be able to voice them. It seems that you are quick to go on the defensive and are unwilling to accept the fact that others/members may know a thing or two as well. Your reluctance to being open to other/differing viewpoints is unfortunate and, perhaps, a sign of insecurity? Your platform should be an open forum and people should be able to speak freely, openly and honestly. @@VisualEducationStudio
@@cmoore7723 Absolutely you can voice them if you do so with a balanced approach. I don't think I go on the defensive other than clarifying when I believe something is factually incorrect. For example you often comment on why you have to wait 30mins for a live replay show to start even when we have explained personally to you that the live show replay goes up automatically and it takes 24 hours until we can trim it down. If I remember correctly you have made a point about this several times and I just don't know how I can explain any clearer. Other points you have brought up in live shows have been excellent and very beneficial to the audience in general but in this comment here you are deliberately insinuating that I'm trying to sell something to do with broncolor? Why would I do that? I don't benefit or getting anything from doing so, if I was then why would I be even showing this Godox light, or why would I have run a show with Godox speedlites or recently with Godox studio lights? I try to cater for everyone and here in this instance I believe you were making a point that wasn't valid or accurate and every time you do that I'm going to call you up on it.
@@VisualEducationStudio Hi Karl. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond so thoroughly. I know you're very busy and so the fact that you take the time to respond thoroughly is not lost on me. I have been shooting professionally for many years. I have shot hundreds of weddings and social events (the Aberdeen Proving Grounds for developing people skills!). I also worked with top advertising and commercial/editorial photographers in the New York City market when I was getting started many, many, many years ago. I've done catalog, food, product, architectural, close-up/macro, focus stacking, audio visual/communications, and much more. Much of this I have done for professional groups (where I sat on the BOD for over 15 years). I have also taught many seminars and workshops on some of the above which I have presented to professional photography and amateur (camera clubs) groups. I'm truly sorry that I seem to have struck a nerve as I do truly appreciate KTE. On some things I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. That's healthy don't you think? I was trained many years ago to use the "super market approach" (If I see something on the shelf that I don't like or want... leave it there and go get something I do want - that doesn't mean I should quit patronizing the "super market"). Sometimes I can come across as negative... I admit it. Sorry. It's never been my intention to upset or offend. Again, if I have... I apologize. OK. Enough said... I think?
I'm looking at the westcott Lindsay Adler one that does have the blades, has anyone tried that one as it seems very similar to the bron one but can use on any strobe but limited to 600w
Hi BarTabz, thank you but I've never seen pins any smaller than they are, my guess is they would bend to easily although it may have been possible to make a smaller hole if I had pressed the foil on a flat surface whilst puncturing it although the problem I found in this example was keeping a good shaped dot. Maybe some laser cut templates could be another way, if you discover a better way let us know as always happy to share on our site.
and now Godox has a new projector for the SZ150r. It'makes me mad that Broncolor is not innovating things faster than Godox. At this rate Broncolor will end up like Balcar in a few years if they don't pick up the pace and compete in pricing or something.
I'm sure bron are just fine, there Siros lights are some of the top quality monoblocs and fastest durations on the market. I've got a couple of Godox in my studio to show what they could do on KTE and they work fine but if I was using them daily commercially they feel a lot less solid than my bron stuff. People don't mind paying for stuff that's going to last longer.
