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Gear Review: The Lastolite Halo Compact Reflector

08 May

The post Gear Review: The Lastolite Halo Compact Reflector appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sean McCormack.

The Halo Compact is a new reflector/diffuser design from Lastolite (a Manfrotto company). In January, at The Societies Convention in London, I got a glimpse of the first batch on the Manfrotto stand. It looked great on display, and in the demo, it packed down really small. It was also attached to standard light stand fitting on display. As the owner of a few Lastolite products, I’m quite aware of how innovative they are, and that they do make quality products. Some of these are used day in and day out in the studio (e.g. the Hilite and the Triflector).

The Halo Compact on the Lastolite/Manfrotto stand at The Societies Convention.

Now I own a lot of reflectors. From large 5-in-1 disc reflectors to the already mentioned triflectors, to 6’X3’ frame reflectors; I even have a California Sunbounce. I’m not exactly in need of a new one, least of all something that’s well on the way to being €100 with shipping.

However, I was still interested in one major selling point – how compact it is when it is packed down. Seeing as I’d flown to the convention, I knew it would be a perfect travel reflector. I went to buy one. No luck. The small amount of stock that was in the shop at the convention was gone, so I left empty handed.

My next look at the Halo Compact in person was at The Photography Show in March. I happened to chat with one of the folks at the stand, and it turned out to be Matt Bailey. Matt had taken over from Gary Astil as a product designer, so we got chatting about the Halo, and how it solved quite a few problems.

Needless to say, I bought the diffuser version with the frame and a silver/white reflector cloth as well, to give me the best variety for shooting situations. I could have gotten the reflector with frame and the diffuser cloth if I preferred.

The Lastolite Halo Compact Reflector setup

The blue containing pouch

The Lastolite Halo Compact Reflector comes in a small, dark blue, zipped pouch. It has a carabiner to attach to a clips, belts or even belt loops. The material and finish are far better than the old royal blue material Lastolite formerly used, which tended to fray behind the zip, rendering the zip useless.

When you open the zip, it reveals what looks like a tent pole rods (but pre curled), and a fabric. You’ll also a find ¼” 20 screw back to back in the pouch so it can screw to a magic arm.

The rods are similar to tent pole, but curved.

You’ll find assembly is straightforward. Attach all the rods together. Finish the frame by pushing the two sides of the handle together in a kind of dove tail joint fashion.

The handle pushes together to make the frame rigid. It also houses a tripod fitting.

A quick glance at the handle and you’ll see the inbuilt ¼” 20 hole for a light stand in the handle. This is one of the great features of the Halo.

That’s it. It’s sturdy and firm.

To get either fabric on, you click a clip in place on either side of the handle and then clip them all on at even spacing around the frame.

The grip on the handle is great and I found it reasonably easy to hold outdoors, despite holding it in my left hand on my right side in the wind.

I’m not saying it’s not a kite, but it was far better than the floppy eBay reflector I’d used earlier that day.

Why do you need this?

So why would you bother with having this at all?

The answer is simple.

You want to have control of the light.

Here’s what undiffused evening sun looks like.

While it’s not as harsh as midday sun, it still has hard shadows and causing squinting.

By using the diffuser, the light is spread, making is softer.

Obviously it’s also lower in intensity, so you have to open your shutter to compensate.

Another typical way of shooting with evening sun is to use backlighting.

Here you can lose the direction of the light, but adding a silver reflector can bring back contrast and shape.

 

You could also opt for a more subtle white reflector.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Sturdy
  • Good modifier options with reflection and diffusion
  • Compact, perfect for travel
  • Reliable brand with known quality
  • Built in stand adaptor

Cons

  • Longer setup time than a popup
  • More expensive, but still not the most expensive

Conclusion

While a little on the expensive side compared to the eBay popups, the Lastolite Halo Compact Reflector is still an affordable product. Despite the longer setup time, I feel the compact pack means this product will live in or on my camera (via the carabiner) permanently, vs the pops that are left behind when I’m travelling more compactly.

I’ve included the downside of the price and longer setup time in my rating, but in truth, I’m delighted with this product.

Now to sell some of my other reflectors!

Have you used the Lastolite Halo Compact Reflector? What are your thoughts? Share with us and our readers in the comments below.

 

The post Gear Review: The Lastolite Halo Compact Reflector appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sean McCormack.


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The Lastolite HaloCompact is a new reflector, diffuser with a collapsible design

13 Nov

Lastolite, a subsidiary of Manfrotto, has launched a new lighting tool it calls the HaloCompact.

The HaloCompact is a collapsible reflector/diffuser tool that comes in two versions: a double-sided reflector (with silver on one side and white on the other) and a two stop diffuser.

The defining feature of the HaloCompact is its RapidExoframe, a lightweight aluminum frame that slots together multiple sections to create a 85cm/33.5in base when fully constructed. When packed down, alongside the folding reflector/diffuser material, the HaloCompact is small enough to put inside your camera bag or attach to the outside.

The HaloCompact also has standard quarter-inch tripod threads along the frame so it can be attached to various arms and accessories for when you need an extra hand. Below is a video from Lensvid showing off the HaloCompact in person at Photokina 2018.

Both version of the HaloCompact has an MSRP of £71.95, but there’s no mention of availability and at the time of publishing this article the HaloCompact isn’t listed on the UK or US version of Lastolite’s online store. DPReview has contacted Lastolite for more information regarding US pricing and availability and will update this article accordingly when it receives a response.

Lastolite by Manfrotto Launch HaloCompact 85cm (33.5”)

Lastolite By Manfrotto, the world’s leading manufacturer of backgrounds and lighting control systems is proud to announce the launch of the HaloCompact Reflector and Diffuser.

The HaloCompact is a completely new, patent pending design concept that makes the everyday reflector and diffuser panel even more portable than ever!

Unlike many traditional reflector/diffuser panels that incorporate a steel rim pop up design, the 85cm (33.5”) HaloCompact is constructed using Lastolite By Manfrotto’s new innovative RapidExoframe™ technology. The collapsible lightweight aluminium frame quickly slots together and the reflector or diffuser fabric simply clips onto the frame. The cleverly designed RapidExoframe™ construction allows the frame to breakdown into small multiple sections and along with the folded fabric packs into a carry case measuring only 6.5 x 27 x 6.5cm (6” x 6” x 6”) weighing only 335g (reflector and case).

The ultra-compact folded dimensions make the HaloCompact the perfect solution for Photographers on the move or with very limited carrying space. It now means a reflector/diffuser can always be carried in the camera bag rather than having to consider whether to take an extra bag or not. A handy carabiner style clip also allows the user to clip the HaloCompact to their belt if out on location with their camera only and no camera bag.

The HaloCompact also features an ergonomically designed handle so it can easily be held and accurately positioned with one hand. The handle also incorporates a very useful ¼” thread (plus a ¼” to ¼” adaptor), enabling it to be easily attached to various different support systems, to offer secure positioning further away from camera position.

The HaloCompact is available in two versions – the first is a double-sided reflector, with silver one side and white the other. The second version is as a 2 stop diffuser.

The HaloCompact Reflector Silver/White (LL LR3300) has an RRP of £71.95.

The HaloCompact Diffuser 2 stop (LL LR3301) has an RRP of £71.95.

For more information, please visit www.manfrotto.co.uk/lastolite

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Lastolite unveils two new ‘stone effect’ panoramic backgrounds for portrait photographers

15 Sep

Studio accessories manufacturer Lastolite has introduced a pair of new stone effects to its panoramic background range. Granite and Limestone are the first textured materials to join the range that currently just includes white, black and Chromakey Green plain finishes.

The Lastolite Panoramic Background system consists of a three-part collapsible frame that is self-supporting once erected. Plain or patterned covers stretch over the frame to form a 4×2.3m/13×7.5ft backdrop suitable for shooting groups, and once packed away the kit measures just 100cmx30cmx35cm/39x12x14in.

The new patterns will be available with or without the panoramic frame, and will cost £306 on their own or £600 with the frame (US prices still to be released). For more information see the Manfrotto website.

Press Release

Lastolite by Manfrotto presents new Granite and Limestone panoramic backgrounds to the collection

Lastolite By Manfrotto, the world’s leading manufacturer of backgrounds and lighting control systems has announced the launch of the new Panoramic Background in Granite and Limestone.

The Panoramic Background has quickly become the go to background for busy photographers needing a 4m wide, seamless, crease free, collapsible solution. Built around a three-panel collapsible lightweight aluminium framework, the Panoramic background is completely self-supporting so there is no need for additional stands and crossbars. The Panoramic Background is assembled in a matter of minutes and, once assembled, is simply clipped onto the framework. The stretchable cover fabric ensures a flat, crease free surface at all times. Unlike other large seamless background solutions, the Panoramic collapses down to an impressive 100cm x 30cm x 35cm size, making it very easy to transport. The Panoramic Background is perfect for shooting larger groups, shooting with props or creating the negative space in a photograph that agencies so often request.

The new themed covers now bring textured surfaces to the range and perfectly complement the existing black, white and Chromakey Green solid colour surfaces. There are two new covers available – Granite and Limestone. Granite offers a stone texture effect with a full range of grey tones and a dark vignette around the edges, whilst Limestone is much lighter, offering a subtle range of mid to light greys giving the effect of a Limestone surface.

The Granite and Limestone Panoramic background includes the framework and the cover. For existing Panoramic background users the new covers are also available separately.

Click here to see a video of the new Panoramic Background in action https://vimeo.com/230936776

The Granite and Limestone Panoramic Background has an RRP of £600.
The Granite and Limestone Panoramic Background covers have an RRP of £306.

For more information, please visit www.manfrotto.co.uk/lastolite

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Review: Lastolite 6×4 Foot Panelite Collapsible Reflector with Translucent Diffuser

12 Apr

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How many times have you heard that there are certain times of day you shouldn’t photograph people? For example, at midday in harsh sunlight. The logic is pretty sound. Direct, hard light can lead to unflattering shadows and ultra high contrast, which can result in unsatisfactory portraiture. However, if you follow this advice blindly, and only wait for the golden hours each day, you’re missing out on an enormous amount of time that could be spent photographing people.

There are several options to combat this problem, but one of the easiest and most effective, is a piece of gear called a diffusion panel.

What is a diffusion panel?

At its most basic, a diffusion panel is a piece of translucent material that allows harsh direct light to pass through it, so it effectively becomes a light source of its own. This softens the light and can allow you to obtain great, flattering, natural light portraits, in unfavorable conditions.

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There are many types of diffusion panels available ranging from very small, handheld ones, to giant ones that are many meters across and require dedicated stands.

When size matters

Small diffusion panels are useful, and if you happen to have a 5-in-1 reflector, you probably already have one. These are indispensable for still-life and tabletop work; however, in terms of portraiture, their small size often limits them to closely cropped images and headshots.

This is where the Lastolite Panelite Reflector comes in. At 6×4 feet (1.8m x 1.2m) it’s large enough to cover enough area for full length portraits. At $ 128 retail, its price also means that it isn’t way out of reach for the serious portrait photographer.

Putting it through its paces

To test it out, I took the Lastolite Panelite Reflector out on location, at mid-afternoon on clear days. The sun was low at this point, but still very harsh, and the high contrast would have been difficult, if not impossible, to manage without a modifier.

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By Diffusing the sun back lighting the scene, you can even out the exposure of the highlights and shadows which is far more pleasing for portraits.

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On the left, the bottom half of the image is shaded by the diffuser. You can see the two stop difference in exposure. In the image on the right, you can see how the hard directional sunlight has been softened (note that more exposure was needed overall so the background was also brightened in the process).

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Apart from the unflattering shadows in the left hand image, the direct sun made it painful for the model to look into the camera. With the diffusion panel (right image), her eyes were shielded from the harsh light.

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In the left hand image, the extreme contrast from the back lighting made exposing for the rest of the image a nightmare. By diffusing the back light, the exposure was evened out, but still allowed for a pleasing rim light (image above right).

Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of using this light panel.

PRO: Two stop diffusion

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By reducing contrast, the loss of two stops of light can be a huge help in some scenarios.

When working with the extremes of bright sunlight, it can be difficult to get away from small apertures like f/16. This is a problem because these settings won’t allow for a shallow depth of field. By reducing the light on your subject by two stops with the diffuser, that hypothetical aperture of f/16 becomes f/8 and makes background blur much easier to control.

PRO: Size

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This thing is huge. It’s not the biggest on the market, but it’s big enough for full length portraits, which is a major plus. I did not yet have the opportunity to test it on groups of people, but I believe it should work well for up to four people, with careful control.

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The ability to diffuse a large enough area for 3/4 and full length portraits is a big plus.

PRO: Portable

Like a lot of Lastolite’s product, the diffusion panel is collapsible, and folds up to a tiny fraction of its size. Packed in its case, I would compare it to the surface of a medium sized cafe table. Combined with its light weight, it’s easy enough to throw in the back of a car, and carry along on location with you, without strain.

PRO: Price

At $ 128, this is not a budget tool. However, for photographers serious about location based portraiture, the Lastolite Panelite Reflector comes in cheaper than lighting modifiers of moderate quality and unlike those, this doesn’t require lights to go with it.

CON: Extra hands

The Lastolite Panelite Reflector is large, and you will find it very difficult to manage without an assistant to hold it for you. If it needs to be held much higher than ground level, you may well need two people. It may be possible to rig it to some stands, but this leads into the next point.

CON: Be wary of wind

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A small gust of wind sparked a several minute struggle to regain control over the panel.

The only real problem I came across while testing the Lastolite Panelite Reflector was that the slightest gust of wind will send it flying, and folding in on itself. Whoever is holding it for you needs to have a sure grip on it, and even then the whole process is still irksome.

If you’re into slapstick, this can be hilarious to watch, but any time spent trying to get the diffusion panel to play along, is time not spent taking photographs.

CON: Dirt

Like white reflectors, softboxes and white umbrellas, the Lastolite Panelite Reflector is really, really white and will be hard to clean when it inevitably gets dirty.

Overall thoughts

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If nothing else, when used head on, the Panelite Reflector creates some interesting catch-lights.

To sum it up easily, the Lastolite Panelite Reflector does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s portable, creates a beautiful diffused light, and is relatively affordable. Although, it can prove tricky to handle under some conditions, I found the results to be well worth the extra logistics and effort, and I am looking forward to a long an extended relationship with it in my photographic arsenal.

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The post Review: Lastolite 6×4 Foot Panelite Collapsible Reflector with Translucent Diffuser by John McIntire appeared first on Digital Photography School.


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Manfrotto and Lastolite brands combine and launch new Speed-Lite softbox and Perspective Backgrounds

03 Nov

The accessory brands Lastolite and Manfrotto, both of which are owned by the Vitec Group, have combined to form the new brand ‘Lastolite By Manfrotto’. The new brand name will eventually encompass the entire Lastolite product range, but for now it includes a new version of the Ezybox Speed-Lite softbox for hotshoe flash units and three new scene-painted backgrounds. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Lastolite ‘Out of Focus’ backgrounds bring beautiful bokeh to your home studio

26 Jul

Everyone loves the look of a nice out of focus background, but it’s hard to achieve in a home studio. Accessory manufacturer Lastolite believes it might have the solution, with two new reversible backgrounds printed with out of focus images of the ocean / autumn foliage and summer foliage / city lights. Measuring 1.5 x 1.2m, the backgrounds are big enough for almost full-length portraits of most adults, and weigh in at 3kg (6.6lb) each. Click through for more details.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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