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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

alternative to sunbounce

S

Stefan Hegenberg

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Hey guys,
i´m googleing the internet since weeks for a good alternative for sunbounce diffusor sun swatter.
http://www.sunbounce.info/uploads/media/SUN-SWATTER_01.JPG
The solution looks perfect with the ability to hold the diffusor or use it with a stand, but with 550€ for just one diffusor it is quite expensive. The same for the reflectors. Does somebody has a nice tip for an alternative manufacturer?
 
Hi Stefan

We own a lot of Sunbounce and the whilst expensive it's totally worth the money. Some of our reflectors are well over 12years old and still going strong. We have the sun swatter too.

In addition we also own chimera reflectors and diffusers which are excellent for indoor use.

There's a German saying 'I'm not rich enough to buy cheap'

Good luck !
 
Disagree with above negative sentiments.

they are perfect for what they are.

my friend and I have a saying :

Ask an apple tree for an apple. Don't expect an orange.

these are for last minute applications where you need something super light. If you think you might break it, use real grip gear that weighs a lot more or costs a lot more.

They are a fantastic innovation for the price and capability.

you could theoretically put a 2x2 piece of bead board on a boom pole but it would not net the same results as this... But would be cheap and more durable.

Cheap, Light, Super Durable. Pick two...
 
Dan Kanes said:
Disagree with above negative sentiments.

they are perfect for what they are.

my friend and I have a saying :

Ask an apple tree for an apple. Don't expect an orange.

these are for last minute applications where you need something super light. If you think you might break it, use real grip gear that weighs a lot more or costs a lot more.

They are a fantastic innovation for the price and capability.

you could theoretically put a 2x2 piece of bead board on a boom pole but it would not net the same results as this... But would be cheap and more durable.

Cheap, Light, Super Durable. Pick two...
Click to expand...

Bead board on a boompole doesn't break right out of the box and doesn't pretend to be a decent piece of kit, when it is clearly not anything of the sort.

Fantastic for what they are?

What are they, when the handle falls off after a few minutes of unpacking and the rest can't be locked into an open position from lack of any sort of design or quality control?
 
Well, it sounds like a wide open market then. If, as you say, the design is bad, manufacturing is bad, and QC is bad - please show us how it's done.

Clearly there is a market of people looking for just such a kind of product, and if you have design chops - or even if you just have the passion to make the world a better place, then it sounds like a glove has been thrown down and that you might be ready to provide a better product...or at the very least a different product suggestion that fulfills the desire.

I'm fairly certain that if it fell apart right out of the box like that, then they would immediately rush a warranty replacement for it. I've had mine for a year, used it quite a bit, and it still works and hasn't disentegrated.
 
Well ill let you know what I think of mine when I get them. If they break right out of the box, then I shouldn't have any problem returning them and getting my money back. We'll see
 
Stefan Hegenberg said:
Hey guys,
i´m googleing the internet since weeks for a good alternative for sunbounce diffusor sun swatter.
http://www.sunbounce.info/uploads/media/SUN-SWATTER_01.JPG
The solution looks perfect with the ability to hold the diffusor or use it with a stand, but with 550€ for just one diffusor it is quite expensive. The same for the reflectors. Does somebody has a nice tip for an alternative manufacturer?
Click to expand...


Came across this watching coverage of NAB 2016:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW6Bw6d8Kjk
 
I have sunbounce and also some of the cheaper options. Cheaper ones are ok if your indoors, but outside it's a different deal. For example a slight flapping on the fabric on the cheaper ones I think looks horrible when it hits the actors face. Also a very small amount of wind turns these guys into sails, I've been surprised how much torque is produced on these guys by gusts - only the sunbounce have dealt with small gusts(even then I have had weighted and roped down c-stands fall down with the medium size sunbounce). Most of all the flapping in just normal conditions if the surface is reflective, removes the cheaper ones from use. If your just putting on the thin silk (or a open mesh) rather then a reflective cloth, then the cheaper ones do fine in mild conditions.
 
Take a very close look at the Chimera Panel Kits: http://chimeralighting.com/shop/?c=16896/PanelFrameKits

These are compact hollow metal frames that have elastic holding them together and a range of more standard on set sizes like:
- 24x24" - 2x2'
- 42x42"
- 42X72"
- 42x82"
- 48x48" - 4x4'
- 72x72" - 6x6'

You attach these to any one or two grip heads depending on how you rig them, but most importantly they have a good amount of fabric options:
- 1/4 Grid Diffusion (1/2 stop)
- 1/2 Grid Diffusion (1 stop)
- Full Diffusion (2 stop)
- Silver/Black
- White/Black
- Zebra Silver-Gold/White
- Single Bobbinette Scrim (1/2 stop)
- Double Bobbinette Scrim (1 stop)

These come in kits with a carrying case and I believe two grip heads.

I've been using Chimera diffusion, softboxes, and other things my whole career. I have fabrics that are over 10 years old that I still use.

In my opinion they are better than several things on the market. Though I do like that baby pin and hand holding option from Fotodiox, nicely done.
 
Phil Holland said:
Take a very close look at the Chimera Panel Kits: http://chimeralighting.com/shop/?c=16896/PanelFrameKits

These are compact hollow metal frames that have elastic holding them together and a range of more standard on set sizes like:
- 24x24" - 2x2'
- 42x42"
- 42X72"
- 42x82"
- 48x48" - 4x4'
- 72x72" - 6x6'

You attach these to any one or two grip heads depending on how you rig them, but most importantly they have a good amount of fabric options:
- 1/4 Grid Diffusion (1/2 stop)
- 1/2 Grid Diffusion (1 stop)
- Full Diffusion (2 stop)
- Silver/Black
- White/Black
- Zebra Silver-Gold/White
- Single Bobbinette Scrim (1/2 stop)
- Double Bobbinette Scrim (1 stop)

These come in kits with a carrying case and I believe two grip heads.

I've been using Chimera diffusion, softboxes, and other things my whole career. I have fabrics that are over 10 years old that I still use.

In my opinion they are better than several things on the market. Though I do like that baby pin and hand holding option from Fotodiox, nicely done.
Click to expand...

I like the chimera frames but the shock cord is a little scary. I had a photo flex frame with shock cord and I had to keep tightening the cord all the time when it would lose elasticity. Maybe chimera uses a better elastic? I have the sunbiunce now but i would consider one of these frames in a more stamdard size.
 
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