I am thrilled to introduce you to the Westcott Optical Spot by… me! I worked in conjunction with Westcott to design a light modifier that I believe will fundamentally change any photographer’s studio lighting.
Why is the Optical Spot so great? You will be able to create lighting effects that you were never able to achieve before. Whether you are aiming for extremely modern and eye-catching creative lighting patterns, or the control of a tight slice of light on your subject, the Optical Spot gives you mind-blowing control.
I’ve used the Optical Spot on celebrity shoots, fashion editorials, maternity portraits, fine art nude shoots… you name it. This tool changes your vision of what can be achieved with studio light and truly the possibilities are endless. You can create something subtle like a texture on the background or something carved and dramatic. The point is that you now have a tool that provides this level of control.
An Optical Spot (sometimes called a zoom spot, optical snoot, spot projector, etc depending on the model) allows you to achieve extraordinarily crisp light with controlled shapes/patterns of light onto your subject.
I’d like to walk you through some of the key elements of this modifier and then address a few FAQs.
Key features of the Westcott Optical Spot
1. Lens
One of the key elements of an optical spot modifier is its lens. This is really where the magic happens to give you that amazing control of light.
The Westcott Optical Spot comes with a 150mm f/3.5 lens that is focusable and allows you to project sharp edges onto your subject. I personally selected this lens because it creates a razor-sharp edge with no discoloration or halo on the edges (a common problem with other similar modifiers). Furthermore, the lens is bright with minimal loss of light and keeps the light concentrated even at a distance.
If you want a crisp edge to the pattern or slice of light, simply sharpen the lens. If you want something more subtle and soft, simply defocus the lens.
Here is where it gets even more exciting. The lens is interchangeable! If you want a wider spread of light so that it covers the scene, simply switch over to any EF mount lens (Canon, Sigma, Tamron, etc) with a wider focal length. In other words, we include a super sharp lens that keeps the light concentrated, but you also have the added flexibility to swap in/out other lenses and focal lengths. I love using an EF mount 35mm 1.4 lens when I want to completely cover an entire scene with light or a EF mount 24-70mm 2.8 when I want zoom flexibility.
2. Leaves
One of the most powerful ways to use this modifier is to create very controlled slices of light on your subject. For that reason, we have designed this modifier to have four independent blades that are built into the modifier itself. It will give you the ultimate control over tight slices of light. In fact, I’ve even used this feature to create a tiny sliver of light that only illuminated an earring — it’s that much control!
3. Gobos (and holder)
Gobos (standing for ‘go-betweens’) give you the flexibility to do more than create very hard light or slices of light onto your subject using the Westcott Optical Spot. Now you can really create any pattern or shape of light your heart desires using gobos. Speaking of heart… yes, you create light in the shape of a heart. Or a window, or a star, or Venetian blinds, or a plethora of other options.
The kit comes with eight essential gobos, but there is also two expansion packs or you can buy other size M gobos that will work with the included gobo holder.
4. Gels (and clip)
The Optical Spot is about control and it is about creativity. What’s a better way to get creative than adding some colorful light into the equation? Our kit includes five gels and a gel clip to attach them to the end of the modifier. We also offer two expansion packs: creative color and color correction.
Want a tight slice of light on the subject’s face… but that slice of light is red? Yep! You can achieve this and more with our Optical Spot.
5. Interchangeable light mount
This is one of the features of the Optical Spot that I am most excited about. The modifier works with a variety of different strobe and constant light sources and has an interchangeable mount.
So, what does this mean to you? First of all, chances are that the Westcott Optical Spot will work for your light source whether it’s a strobe or constant light. Right now, we have mounts available for Bowens, Broncolor, Profoto, Elinchrom, and (in the future) Balcar.
If you own different mounts of modifiers, there’s no need to buy multiple or to restrict yourself. You simply buy a different mount attachment. In other words, the Optical Spot can work for your Profoto strobe (using the Profoto mount) then swap out the mount and you can now use the Optical Spot for your Bowen’s mount Godox constant light.
6. Constant and strobe compatible
Visual problem solvers and creators are often asked to create both still and moving images. This may be a cinemograph, a still photo, a music video… you name it. That’s why the Westcott Optical Spot is designed to work with constant lights and strobes. This is to give you the flexibility you need and to help keep your tools consistent whether you are using strobes or constant lights.
In fact, I recently shot a diamond campaign and was able to use the Optical Spot for the still campaign images as well as the video commercial element of the shoot.
Take a look
Don’t just take my word about how great this modifier is. Check out the video below and some of the great images I have made with the Westcott Optical Spot. I am so proud and I know you will love it too.
FAQS
Does this work with both constant light and strobes?
Yes! This is actually part of the reason I designed this modifier. I wanted to be able to get the same amazing control of light whether I am shooting constant lights or strobes. For example, my strobes are Profoto mounts and my constant LED lights are Bowen’s mounts. I simply swap out the base and it works perfectly with either.
How is this different from other optical spots on the market?
This particular modifier is different because it combines the best elements of all of them. It has built-in leaves for slices of light. It comes with a razor-sharp lens (with no chromatic aberrations) and also the ability to swap out your own lenses. The modifier has changeable mounts, so it will work with whatever you are using as your light source. Plus, the kit comes with gobos, gobo holder, gels, and gel holder. In other words, we did our best to make this the best.
What size gobos work with this modifier?
This modifier works with size M gobos. While the kit does include eight gobos already, don’t forget to check out our two expansion packs to increase your options and creativity.
How do I learn how to use this specialty modifier?
When you purchase the Westcott Optical Spot, I’ve actually included a link to a 40-minute video to the top five ways I use this modifier for striking visual results in the studio. Furthermore, I also offer a lighting recipe guide with more than 20 different lighting setups and everything you need to recreate them including distance of lights, power of lights, modifiers, placement, and much more.
Will this fit on the light I own?
Chances are… yes! You can select your modifier to work with Bowens (most common mount also for Godox), Profoto, Elinchrom, Bron and in the near-future Balcar (Paul C Buff strobes, etc). At the moment, this modifier is not designed for speedlites but does work with strobes and a wide range of constant lights (various Nanlite, Godox and Flashpoint options).
The Westcott Optical Spot is now available for purchase at Adorama for $549.90.
