Tech Tuesday: Small(er) Parabolics are Beautiful

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about Think Tank Photo’s Production Manager 40 rolling gear case and how I am—for whatever reason—incapable of packing light.

As an alternative to finding a case large enough to fit everything but the kitchen sink, those of us with a tendency to overpack may want to look for more compact gear like Profoto’s new small and medium-sized parabolic umbrellas.

Small and lightweight not only helps resolve the issue of overpacking and lugging a heavy pack of gear, but these umbrellas are much easier for assistants to handle when you’re on location.

But don’t let the smaller sizes fool you—these new umbrellas are designed with 16 glass fiber rods to deliver the same control and beautiful light we’ve come to expect from Profoto’s large/deep and extra large/deep parabolics. Six new models area available, three deep small and three deep medium. The former measure a mere 33 inches across while the 41-inch medium parabolics are a little larger.

Three fabric options include translucent for the softest light; silver for the crispest light; and white for a mix of the two. All metallic parts are specially treated to prevent rust and discoloration, so you don’t have to worry about working outdoors in damp or rainy conditions.

The parabolic umbrellas come with a convenient carry/storage bag. If you want to get the look of a softbox, be sure to pick up the optional backpanel. Pricing, specs (weight and length) aren’t yet available but we hope to have that information as we get closer to PhotoPlus Expo at the end of October.

You can see the umbrella in action, along with the Profoto B1, here: