Paul C Buff Retro Laser // My new most powerful off camera flash modifier

[@markkitaoka8783]

Hey Robert, my gf said to me tonight "Do you know that Robert Hall mentioned your name in one of his videos about the PCB Retro Laser?!" So thanks for giving me cred now with my own gf! Like most wives/gfs we are only validated by someone else. LOL It's funny I'm doing a review about the 1200 and planned to use it with my Retro comparing it to the 1200 dual 600 setup I use. Thanks for the head's up on the bulb being close fitting to the retro. Good job on the pronunciation of my name too! Not bad. A little tip, Japanese pronunciation of "I" is pronounced like "E" Think of sushi. You don't say SUSH EYE, you say SUSH EE. Now you're a cousin. And BTW that video of your wife opening a modifier reflector was SO ADORABLE! Anyway take care and thanks again for giving me cred with my gf!

[@robhallphoto]

Thanks again Mark for your detailed blog, there is a wealth of information on there for people to check out, and a lot of it is exactly the stuff that only us picky lighting nerds think about. Looks like your bulb fit is a bit more spacious than mine, because you used a longer Bowens mount so the bulb is positioned in the wider part. This is also likely the reason I have to zoom my tube out a bit to get the most light output. It seems if you get too close to the dish you can start losing output (on mine at least). I imagine yours will align almost identically to how it was designed for the PCB strobes.

[@markkitaoka8783]

@@robhallphoto At the time I modified my Retro Cheetahstand did not offer those low profile Bowens rings. So I found the lowest one available at that time. I did a comparison between the PCB/Einstein and my AD600 Bowens for focusing once the AD600s were out and it was spot on, no pun intended. I'm anxious to see how your personal project goes using the Retro. The longest distance I've used my Retro was at Fort Point in San Francisco. Top level shooting across the Fort's expanse in sunlight to illuminate an actress about 90 feet. This was before Godox, I was using an Einstein 640 and the Retro. I'm a bitch about two things; donuts and light. LOL In my mind Paul was a genius with the type of personality to match. I sorely miss him and his innovation. I feel lucky to have known him and his progressive thinking.

[@christhompsonphotography6783]

I used to have one of these, they are super bright and very specialty. I ended up selling mine because it was so niche.

[@PaulcbuffInc]

So glad that the photo community, Mark and David in this case, was able to hook you up with what you needed for your wakeboarding passion project. Look forward to seeing the image you create with the Retro Laser!

[@akpevbe]

Any reason why you stopped making this modifier see that photographers still need it? And would you go back to making more?

[@TheNorang]

That thumbnail is gold

[@robhallphoto]

haha thanks!

[@randywong3625]

I obtained one of these reflectors for a special project when they were first introduced by PC Buff. Modified to fit a Photogenic 2500dr, it produces a solid f/16 @ 1/250 second, ISO100 at 50 feet.

[@dwalden74]

It’s a focused parabolic modifier. This will have the highest efficiency of any modifier because the light rays are collimated like a laser (basically creates a spotlight beam with very long throw). 👍🏼😎

[@infinityphotorob]

I wish I bought one years ago. The PCB 11" longthrows are wicked too.

[@rickjbradbury]

Marks blog is great to read. Also the way the audio changed when you faced it towards the mic was cool Looks like an extremely efficient modifier.

[@samcooper5539]

This is really good to know, thanks for taking us along for this ride! Could you do a video on your hypersync setup? I like this "maximizing output" quest.

[@acraftman2823]

Rob, I am no where near your level of light wizardry and have no idea really if its possible but I am a building remodeler by trade and have been installing what are called sun tunnels for 30 years one thing that has always caught my attention is there ability to concentrate and throw light you can purchase separate extension pieces and I really think they might be something that would work for your project or not:).

[@Paul-dd6im]

It would be cool to see a Paul C. Buff Link review.

[@108u9]

Hey Robert, did you find any difference between the Mola style shape/design vs the more typical beauty dish? In your next follow up, could you try the Laser with a LED COB and see if it still works well with a larger fixture, and the LED’s different “bulb” design/shape? Also maybe you could consider speaking to PCB, Cheetah, Glow etc. about maybe acquiring the design and producing a (limited?) run of the Laser with Bowens mount? It caught my eye too when I saw it on Mark’s blog and also found it next to impossible to find one to even begin modding. We definitely need more inventive and generous people like Paul of the gumption to create these innovative modifiers that remain accessible in price!

[@joecapasso3741]

Cool video, FYI The current PCB long throw reflector seems like it puts out more light than this one now

[@robhallphoto]

Great for PCB users but my lights aren’t Balcar mount.

[@pablosu8449]

Hi Robert: Thank you for all your great videos. They were great with helping me with my Godox purchase decisions. It was funny that you had a video on a PCB Retro Laser, because I was in the process of trying to figure out what to do with mine. I bought it from Paul Buff many years ago and never ended up using it. I was about to put it on Craigslist but didn't know what this silly thing would be worth. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[@robhallphoto]

Email me: info@robhallphoto .com

[@MrSkate2night]

Is this still available?

[@pablosu8449]

@@MrSkate2night Hi: Yes it is. The biggest issue I have with this reflector is the shipping to the US is crazy expensive ($110). Is this doesn't scare you, let's talk. Pablo

[@atlantamx3]

I'd love to see this compared to the Colt 45, compared to the MagMod Fresnel lens. Cant wait to see that video!

[@robhallphoto]

i checked the magmod fresnel on an AD200 back when I did the reflector test and it wasn't even close, but then I read an article that said something like F45 at 10 feet so now I'm wondering if I didn't hit full power or the center wasn't aligned on the meter or something. Gotta try it again.

[@robhallphoto]

What I would actually love (but understand why it's not made considering I've never cared about it before this project), is a fresnel attachment for the AD1200 Pro

[@atlantamx3]

@@robhallphoto have you considered also picking up a more powerful light, like the White Lightning 1600? That and a battery pack seems like it would give you more than enough power and still be portable.

[@351linzdoctor]

@@atlantamx3 Actually the White Lightning 1600 is only 660 watts/sec he would need the White Lightning X3200 which is 1320 watts/sec!

[@logang865]

Great video man. Question though what is that stand you are using in the video?

[@jcatnip3556]

Did you create a follow up video. I looked at your other videos and did not see one.

[@davidward1224]

Robert, That's really ironic. I aquired the Retro Laser to do a water skiing shoot. Same concern. How to mount a light on a boat that would throw to the skier.

[@davidpuddy3920]

Hey Robert. Have you considered cranking up your shutter speed up by a stop or maybe more? This will take it beyond the sync speed. But if your wake-boarder is the only part of the subject illuminated by the strobe, then you shouldn't get a dark band at the bottom of the frame.

[@stevevuoso8411]

That would reduce ambient, but wouldn't provide more power to the strobe.

[@davidpuddy3920]

@@stevevuoso8411 but increasing shutter speed would allow use of a wider aperture, giving same background exposure but increasing flash effectiveness.

[@stevevuoso8411]

@@davidpuddy3920 That's true. Not sure which aperture he's using. Given that he's pretty far from the subject, he might already be wide open.

[@cecilsharps]

what you need to research is sound projection via large dish. It middle school science fair stuff. I know about it because i was satcom in the army. If you think about it as a soundwave it makes sense. Paul buff was a sound guy as well as a light guy. there is nothing special about the design, no secret math. he just adapted his knowledge of sound waves to solve a lighting problem. It blows my mind that they want multiple 1000's for these. You could make em out of a wok, any beauty dish, or a big stainless steel salad bowl. Any machine shop will take your money and make the mount for a few hundred bucks. If you really wanted to bounce some light get an old directtv dish, paint it then attach that custom machined mount.

[@crxicon86]

Woohoo you found one 🙌

[@robhallphoto]

Yeah I definitely lucked out!

[@witcheater]

Since it is discontinued, and since some (or the one) of us may just be able to make something similar, could you take the time to do a cardboard cutout of the shape and size of the modifier as well as the distance of the actual flash bulb from the reflector.. for us DIYers.

[@robhallphoto]

modifier is 22". I'll measure the bulb distance. not sure what i would do with the cardboard though, since it's not like I can do anything physical with it for the viewers

[@witcheater]

@@robhallphoto Well, not to be so bold as to say that I know anything about math, but the focus point and the width and the depth just might be enough... mathematically. It just might be enough to calculate if replicating what was done is done anew.

[@MrSkate2night]

@@robhallphoto I can help with the math. Same thought on the DIY - 2 quick questions: If you put it face down on something flat, what is the inner flat circumference (the top) measured from the backside (the inner metal piece might be helpful too) and what is the height from the top to the flat surface. Any further help from anyone would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[@kaimattern8625]

How are you aiming the stuff at longer distances? Narrow field of light means easy missing the target. I am intrigued!

[@robhallphoto]

At 75 feet, this narrow throw of light isn't so narrow. Plus for my application, wakeboarding, the wakeboarders tricks always occur directly over the wake produced by the boat. Since that is straight behind the boat it's pretty easy to consistently hit.

[@galexyphoto5725]

PEW PEW PEW

[@photozen8398]

why not the long throw by PCB 11 inch, it beams 28 degrees and constant throughout, it is highly reflective? you do not lose light with it guaranteed.

[@robhallphoto]

Because the laser is more efficient than the 11", not to mention the 11" doesn't really have a means (outside of adapting) to connect to my Bowens mount flashes. (source : sophastudio.blogspot.com/2010/05/comparing-paul-buff-reflectors.html )

[@photozen8398]

@@robhallphoto the chart in the link you posted speaks volumes to the convenience of the 11" throw, WOW..!! it is on par with the laser and less cumbersome…! that chart proves my point , thanks for the link.

[@robhallphoto]

@@photozen8398 maybe for a PCB user. But for someone chasing maximum output, using Bowens mount, it's not the same story.

[@photozen8398]

@@robhallphoto where in S.E. MI ? I am in Troy?

[@robhallphoto]

@@photozen8398 My studio is in Troy, right off Maple!

[@jayboatwright1719]

How can I set my 1200 to "hyper" sync? Only thing I see in manual is HSS? Assuming hypersync drains battery a faster than in normal mode?

[@robhallphoto]

You just need a way to communicate with it without triggering hss, which means either using the wrong brand of trigger or some type of single pin trigger (or even other radio equipment like pocketwizard / yongnuo). Then you adjust the delay to minimize banding.

[@351linzdoctor]

@@robhallphoto I use Phottix Odin's with my White Lightning Ultra 1200 and UltraZap 1600 since there T.1 time at all power settings is near 300th of a sec and they do HSS!

[@Atelier19Fotografia]

Hi Robert! Thankyou for your vídeos, always very informative. Can you explain how to do hypersync with Godox?

[@GorCancio]

Wok.... for egg fried rice

[@lowerleftside]

Your copy needs copies made! Get cheetahstand or MoLight on that!

[@wadap0]

So sad that Paul C. Buff has fallen the way it has.

[@robhallphoto]

agreed. They waited too long to adapt their flash system to keep up with the competition. And unfortunately they tried to deliver the Link at the worst time ever.

[@omarello666]

i need one (((

[@VALERYAN581]

test this with silver umbrella ,for us

[@robhallphoto]

huh? Like the output of a silver umbrella vs this? It's not even close.

[@robhallphoto]

For reference a silver PLM is like 1.5 stops lower, so your run of the mill silver umbrella will be even less.

[@VALERYAN581]

@@robhallphoto yes, if you have same size and depth umbrella.That modifier is aluminum? If you sand and polish the aluminum to mirror finish it will have more power ?