Westcott simply got here out with a brand new optical snoot designed by Lindsay Adler. I just lately had the chance to work with it within the studio and evaluate it to the same optical snoot I utilized in a current article in order that I might decide if it was well worth the improve.
Briefly, an optical snoot is an attachment that goes on the tip of a light-weight that focuses the sunshine via a lens and permits you to use totally different inserts to create crisp gentle patterns. A number of months in the past, I wrote this article, the place I broke down how optical snoots work and the way I used mine to get the shot:
For this picture, I used a cheap optical snoot put out by Godox (typically offered below the model identify Clar). A number of weeks in the past, Lindsay Adler and Westcott introduced a joint collaboration in popping out with a brand new optical snoot referred to as the Optical Spot. I just lately had the chance to go to my buddy’s studio and spend the day seeing the way it works and whether or not it was, in truth, well worth the worth improve over my low cost optical snoot. To be utterly trustworthy, I went into this with the concept I might not discover any vital variations over a budget optical snoot that I used, however I used to be unsuitable. I spent a number of time watching movies on-line and studying about this new machine to see if I might discover any cause in any respect to improve. The whole lot I noticed about it was geared extra in the direction of the way it works on the whole. I already know the way optical snoots work. Once I purchase gear for my enterprise, I wish to know particularly why one factor is best than the opposite choices. So, listed here are some particular the reason why the Optical Spot is a greater choice.
I made a 6:30 YouTube right here, however let me stroll you thru in additional element why these three factors are vital,
The Constructed-In Flags
One of many integral components of utilizing an optical snoot is the power to create exact patterns that form the crisp edges of sunshine because it comes out of the lens on the finish. There are “gobos” (go-betweens, little discs with patterns carved in them) and there are additionally flags. The flags are inserted sooner or later within the physique of the optical snoot between the sunshine and the tip of the lens to create sharp, blocked-off edges. Within the earlier video, I created that picture with two flags that got here collectively at an angle to carve out the triangle sample on the mannequin’s torso. In that a part of the video, I really needed to put it into quick movement whereas I spent fairly a while getting it good. Once I was creating the precise picture that was the supply inspiration for the video, the mannequin needed to maintain extraordinarily nonetheless for a couple of minute in her pose whereas I maneuvered the detachable flag items out and in and across the pins that have been blocking me from freely rotating the flags.
Should you go to this a part of the video (beginning at 1:22), you’ll be able to see that it takes me seconds to create a number of shapes with the Lindsay Adler model.
A variety of the artistic optical snoot photos I see on-line are completed with exact placement over the eyes or different components of the physique the place the mannequin has to carry a pose and the patterns are then placed on the mannequin in a exact approach. With the ability to do this shortly is a big bonus.
The Distinction within the Gobo System
That is one other enormous comfort issue. Let me begin by explaining how the gobo holder works on my different optical snoot.
There’s a tray for the gobos with a prime piece that you simply screw all the way down to lock the gobo in place. Then, you insert the gobo holder into the slit within the physique of the optical snoot to create the projected sample of sunshine via the gobo. The issue with that system is that you need to know the angle the gobo will probably be inserted earlier than you tighten it. There isn’t any prime or backside to the optical snoot. It simply attaches to the entrance of the sunshine. There may be one half with somewhat pull-away tab the place the gobo holder slides into place. Relying on the way you connect it, that may very well be on the highest or backside or left or proper of the physique of the optical snoot. As soon as it’s inserted, if the angle will not be proper, you have got restricted vary to maneuver it round due to the pins within the physique of the optical snoot. So, if it is not on the appropriate angle, you need to take it out, unscrew it, and check out once more. Simply an attention-grabbing facet word, however the gobos didn’t include my optical snoot. I purchased them individually. I didn’t know that you simply want a gobo holder as properly. After I purchased the gobos, I obtained an e-mail saying, “Clients such as you additionally purchased this” and that was the primary time I realized that you simply want a separate piece to carry the gobos in place.
By comparability, right here is the Optical Spot gobo holder:
The notable distinction is that the gobos slide into place and might simply be repositioned if wanted with out having to cease and unscrew the 2 items to attempt to reposition them. The opposite distinction is that you’ve far more room to maneuver the gobo holder as soon as it’s in place. On my Godox optical snoot, you’ll be able to solely rotate it about 90 levels to attempt to get the right place. With the Optical Spot, you have got far more vary to rotate the gobo holder round. It isn’t an absolute deal-breaker, however when you find yourself experimenting with artistic seems and you’ve got the liberty to alter one thing about 800% sooner, it is extremely handy.
The Most Necessary Function: The Form of the Physique
Once I was researching totally different optical snoots, one of many points that got here up was the limitation on which lights have been appropriate for every optical snoot. The issue is that with a strobe, the bulb will get scorching and wishes house round it for the warmth to dissipate. Whenever you put an optical snoot over the entrance of the bulb, you’re suffocating it, and the bulb will not be allowed to chill, which causes long-term harm to the bulb. With the Godox/Clar system, the bottom of it the place it attaches to the Bowens mount of the sunshine will not be extensive sufficient to permit it to suit over a Godox AD600 Professional, even when you wished to attempt to destroy your bulbs.
Here’s a comparability facet by facet:
The extensive base of the Opitcal Spot permits it for use on a Godox AD600 Professional. Not solely does it match, however the guide particularly states that it may be used with strobes as much as 600 Ws as a result of the extensive base permits sufficient house for the warmth to dissipate with strobes as highly effective as 600 Ws.
The Backside Line
If you’re getting an optical snoot and also you desire a high-quality merchandise, then it is a fairly easy alternative. If you’re seeking to get an optical snoot and you’re questioning why you’d wish to pay additional for the Westcott model, take into account these points: do the lights that you’ve at present work with what you wish to get, or do you could get a brand new gentle for a number of hundred {dollars} that may accommodate the warmth and dimension restrictions of one other optical snoot? Are there package items that you could take the artistic pictures that you’ve in thoughts? Are you going to be held again throughout use by the inefficient workflow of making an attempt to make use of the totally different equipment to create the pictures you need throughout a shoot?
I’ve an in depth walkthrough of every of those factors and a few samples of the lighting setups and pattern photos within the video above. Let me know in case you have any questions on both system. You should buy the Optical Spot here.
Photos used with permission of Zachary Lee
