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Grids for cheap?
I played around with grids for the first time yesterday and loved the effect. Now I want more of them, but they're ridiculously expensive (for the Profotos I use). What I'm looking for over time are grids for my standard reflectors, for my beauty dish, for my magnum reflector and for softboxes. Does anybody know of cheap alternatives to the brand name grids? BTW, I can't rent. I'm in Cyprus, where the supply of photo equipment is limited and very expensive. Thanks Oct 19 06 11:30 pm Link By grids do you mean metal diffusion grids? If so, they make these frying pan covers that are a metal mesh to stop grease from splattering all over the place. Those will work in a similar way, they can come pretty big, and can take the heat. Also, Lee and Rosco make some great diffusion grids in rolls and sheets. Oct 19 06 11:36 pm Link I'm talking about stuff like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control … ype=search Thanks for the pointers to Lee and Rosco. Oct 19 06 11:41 pm Link you may be a little roped in by the lights you are using -- you may be able to find other brands that ARE cheaper, but the problem is going to be getting them to fit on the lights. Oct 19 06 11:46 pm Link You could adapt some of the soft eggcrates for Lowel Rifalites. . . http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control … ype=search http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control … ype=search http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control … ype=search . . . these are for the mid sized 500 watt version, but there are bigger and smaller versions. . . . . . not exactly a thin honeycomb, but a similar effect in a large space. Oct 19 06 11:55 pm Link Get grids from the ceiling tile dept at home depot. Come in 24"x 48" size. . Have also seen them at radiator shops ( single core radiator) replacement. some transmission cooler grids work too. Oct 20 06 06:05 am Link I picked up some 20º grids from B&H made by Delta. I paid about $30 each for the 7.5 inch models for my Photogenic Monolights. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control … =&O=NavBar Malodave JvR wrote: Oct 20 06 06:40 am Link Speedo's got good deals especially for sets of smaller (7") grids. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control … =&ci=11260 Even eBay can't touch it. Oct 20 06 07:07 pm Link the Speedotron grids are made to fit any standard grid reflector. i beleive it is 7" they are MUCH cheaper then the Profoto Grids setns and also much thinner, but that does not matter all that much. they will fit in profoto though. like $100 for a 4 set kit. using any home made device may drive you crazy now, once you get used to grids, you are going to want them for evertyhing. light tools amkes awesome grids for softboxes and large frames. i but them for all my Chimeras. Jim Oct 20 06 07:11 pm Link Thanks for all the suggestions. I indeed fear that I will become addicted soon. I was a revelation to use directed light. Oct 21 06 01:38 am Link Wayne Collins Photos wrote: I'm sorry, I tried that on someone else's suggestion.. I even stacked two of them together to make the grid deeper. It cut the light's power down and put a weird shadow pattern on the wall. Most importantly, it did not in any way control light spill or contain the light's spread. Oct 21 06 02:50 am Link JvR wrote: Have you seen how expensive the fresnel flash units are yet? Egad. Oct 21 06 07:37 pm Link Searcher wrote: No, but luckily I can't try these out anytime soon. So, I'll remain ignorant and keep my money. Oct 22 06 11:26 pm Link Seems like others have covered what you may be looking for already. If you are looking for a Lighttools Soft Egg Crate like those sold by Chimera and Lowell, you can get inexpensive softboxes with them that may help you achieve a similar affect using larger grid cells that are deeper. Lighttools is actually based in my city . . . really cool operation that they have here. All Canadian production.  Oct 23 06 12:02 am Link Keep track of ebay auctions. I bought three 10"new in plastic bag speedotron grids for about $40 and then later got a 10" grid reflector for about $20 (new condition). Apparently not too much demand since many like myself just set up a softbox and bang away. Will try to force myself to use them on my next shoot. Oct 23 06 12:29 am Link It's a good idea to watch the auctions but the O/P is talking about grids for a much larger light source. Oct 23 06 02:27 am Link Balcar is the cheapest I know...but If you have any connections with anyone in aviation...grids origianlly came about, by the use of the materials used inside plane wings. If you can research anything that caters to that industry and find a manufacturer of this material, then you can probably get any size you need. I once knew a photographer who obtained all his grid stuff this way and how I know this fact. But I just use the Balcar stuff...if they still make them...they have lasted me for over 20 years now. Oct 23 06 02:39 am Link Searcher wrote: Be happy you're not buying Broncolor accessories. OMG I wanna cry. Oct 23 06 04:36 am Link |
