2021-05-19T10:31:28
Rated 5 out of 5
Classic Chimera high quality, tons of versatility.
The whole set is super portable and lightweight so it is very easy to maneuver and position despite the large size once assembled. It is pricey, but it is much easier to fold down, and it has no flex like the circular collapsible stuff, so it can be positioned with more ease and versatility.
The half grid cloth (1/2 stop diffusion) measures exactly half a stop on my meter. It has no tint when I checked the white balance. The black is fairly matte and makes for good negative fill. The white reflector side is quite reflective and is a very clean white with no tint. It's not ideal as a clean white background since the reflectivity can flare the lens if I'm not careful with the angle of the strobe. All the fabrics are very high quality, as is the included duffel bag. A smaller bag is provided for the frame itself so it doesn't poke the fabrics. The frame snaps together and apart very quickly and has no flex. It fits into a standard gobo head on a C-Stand.
On location I use either a gobo head on a manfrotto magic arm or clamp to hold the frame. Once I set up the frame I can switch between diffusion, bounce, and negative fill in a few seconds, so it keeps the shoot moving. I use the diffusion the most, since it works really well to soften overhead sun or as a large fill light with a strobe behind it.
I am planning on getting some more frames in different sizes since I like it so much.
I also use the Lastolite Halo system and find the two complement each other very well. The Lastolite is smaller (both setup and packed down) and the fabrics aren't quite as accurate as Chimera, but it is cheaper and a little easier to mount since it takes standard 1/4"20. The Lastolite can also be used handheld easily which the Chimera can't be. Chimera is has larger coverage (with other size options vs fixed 32" Lastolite), has more fabric options (scrim levels, diffusion levels, chromakey, black, etc that lastolite doesn't offer), and is noticeably more durable.
PRO:
? super portable for the size and coverage
? great selection of fabrics + works with chimera window pattern system
? very high quality and accurate fabrics (1/2 cloth is exactly 1/2 stop metered, white is clean white with no tint, etc)
? no flex and easy to position in any angle/direction
? made in USA
CON:
? price
? requires gobo or clamps to mount, which adds weight to location kits
OSCAR B.
