Chimera 5' Octaplus Expandable Light Bank

2017-02-11T13:43:22

This box strikes a useful balance between rugged construction and light weight. It is easier to set up and take down in the field than the Profoto 4ft or 5ft Octa and better made than Elinchrom Rotalux boxes. Part of this has to do with the Chimera speed ring and the slightly curved poles. They are easier to use than any other brand and there are no folding pole sockets to break off or get stuck like the Eiinchrom rings. I have used this box with Speedotron, Elinchrom and Profoto gear. The light quality is very evenly soft from close to medium distances and has no hot spots due to the unique interior diffuser...which has graduated diffuson rings crafted in. This is a big deal when you are using light heads that have different degrees of intrusion into the softbox, different diffusion covering the flash tubes and different reflector configurations. These days I most often use Quadra heads and Profoto D1 & Acute / D4 heads - and the light amongst them with this box is indistinguishable . This is the only 5 ft Octa I would trust with a Quadra head - but you have to use the 3770 to make it so. I do 85% of what I want with the 5 ft Octa, a Chimera beauty dish, a medium rectangular Chimera, a strip light, a set of Profoto Deep umbrellas - and a few foam core panels. If I want softer light I can rent something too big to take seriously. It has not happened yet. A reliable, sturdy indirect in the 5-6 ft range, for under $1200.00 might be a softer alternative. A 6ft or 7ft foot indirect soft box will sail just like a similar size umbrella. No matter how much you sand bag all but the heaviest stands - you have to have a human being to guard it. 5 ft is about the viability limit on location unless you have a decent size crew. This is the only large octa I recommend if you have to set up and take down several times a day. As far as i can tell the light from the 5ft Chimera is a tiny bit softer than the light from a Profoto 5 ft octa and much softer than the light from a Rotalux Midi. I also have access to the 69 inch older style indirect Elinchrom...and that is a nice light but I prefer the Chimera for what I do...mostly portraits. I was turned on to the Chimera 5 ft Octa by a cinematographer who uses the Chimera 5 ft octa made for hot lights in multiple setups a week.

MARK G.