8 July 2015

What is a Deflector?

PortraitStudio

What is a deflector ?

The 4 Piece Deflector Set is a unique accessory which changes the effect of your light modifiers.

What you need to know!

  • The Elinchrom Deflector Set gives photographers the freedom to easily modify the hardness / softness of their lights.
  • Deflectors can eliminate, soften or tone sharp shadow edges. Very efficient with the Elinchrom softbox and reflector range.
  • Just connect a rod to your chosen deflector and slot it into the umbrella tube on your Elinchrom flash head.
  • You’re ready to Go!

But also:

  • One of the unique features of Elinchrom is the centered umbrella tube, enabling you the choice of which Deflector to be used with a wide range of Elinchrom heads and accessories.
  • With the front diffuser removed, the Portalite softbox is effectively a fold up beauty dish, the only difference being that any catch-light from the Portalite will be square, where with a beauty dish it would be round.
  • With the Portalite assembled without the diffuser, the direct flash light creates a very hard edged shadow, which is partially filled in with the softer but un-diffused light reflecting from the silver fabric of the softbox.
  • Each deflector when fitted, simply modifies the relative proportions of the hard direct light from the flashtube, and the softer reflected un-diffused light from the silver fabric.
  • The translucent and clear deflectors allow some direct light but diffuse it to a greater or lesser extent.
  • The silver and gold deflectors completely block the direct light from the flashtube, removing harsh edged shadows and leaving just the light that has hit the modifier.
  • To this can then be added further softness by adding the Portalite diffuser to the front of the softbox.
  • And it’s uniquely Elinchrom!

What are the results?

When comparing the images, look at the following features:

  • The edge of the shadow on the background, is it hard or soft-edged?
  • The overall brightness. Brightness differences are indicative of the efficency of the modifier/deflector combination.
  • Colour cast, is there a warm or cool cast?
  • Contrast on the face, is the shadow side lit or very dark?
© Mark Cleghorn / Translucent Deflector
© Mark Cleghorn / Silver Deflector
© Mark Cleghorn / Frosted Deflector
© Mark Cleghorn / Gold Deflector

The Elinchrom Deflector Set is an amazing way of extending the range of options from your current light modifiers. They take up almost no space in your kit.

You can also use them with smaller reflectors, the maxilite and maxispot (the spot effect of the maxispot is greatly enhanced by removing the direct light from the flashtube), beauty dishes, all rotalux softboxes and the Litemotiv lightbanks.

Check out these videos for more information about the Deflectors and to see how they are being used:

Video of the Deflectors

How Mark Cleghorn uses the Deflectors.

The lighting tip with the Deflectors from Glyn Dewis.

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