Rifa vs Photoflex Softbox at DVinfo.net

Adam Lubkin · December 18th, 2003, 04:00 PM

I know the Rifa is somewhat lighter and quicker to set up, but I'm curious how the light quality compares. I'm thinking of the 750 watt Rifa, 25"x25", versus a 24 x 36 medium silverdome with a 750 watt tota. How much difference do the extra size and the internal baffle make? Are "hot spots and specular highlights" actually an issue with the Rifa? In other words, can you see a difference?

Jacques Mersereau · December 18th, 2003, 05:46 PM

The Rifas have a very nice light imo. No hot spotting at all
to my eye. I love their setup and
portability. I also like that I can swap out lamps quick and change
wattage when I don't need a 1K. Our PBS station WFUM up in Flint, MI
bought two 88s after borrowing ours and loving the results.

Kris Carrillo · December 18th, 2003, 06:07 PM

i have a medium photoflex silverdome and have gotten very good results with it. having the internal baffle is very nice, since it reduces the hotspot in the center of the front diffusion panel. one other thing you might check on is whether or not the rifa can accept a grid on the front. i'm not sure because i've never used one, but the photoflex has a variety of accessories you can attach to the front to further modify and control the light. you'll find the grid (or eggcrate as some people call it) invaluable when shooting it tight spaces since it will help control spillage on your background. good luck and let us know what you decide to go with.

kris carrillo
WCTV 56

Bryan Beasleigh · December 20th, 2003, 06:44 PM

There are pros and cons to eacg setup. I own a photoflex with a tota and i like it. It's easy to tear down and the tota can be relamped easily and cheaply. You can use a GE HIR lamp that will give you 1000 watts of light for 650 watts of power. The Photoflex is cheaper than the Rifa as well.

The biggest negative for using any other light than the Starlight or the Rifa is the safety screen. The safety screen cuts the light by 30%, the Starlight and Rifa use a secondary glass envelope.

If you were to use the HIR lamp then this loss is absorbed, so i guess it about dead even.

Richard Veil · December 29th, 2003, 05:33 PM

I like Rifa lights. They are super fast to set up but take about as long to break down due to the bulb cooling.
but their are ups and downs to everything.
No internal Baffle.
Rifas are limited in wattage and wattage is determined by size. A person could find advantages by having seperate lights and Chimeras.
Or vise versa.
Rifa are fragile and do require extra care.
I sold a Rifa to Rick Ocasic from the Cars once. For his son. Rick was cool.
Strength and honor to my friend Eric at Lowel.

December 18th, 2003, 04:00 PM	#1
Adam Lubkin Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Frederick,MD Posts: 61	Rifa vs Photoflex Softbox I know the Rifa is somewhat lighter and quicker to set up, but I'm curious how the light quality compares. I'm thinking of the 750 watt Rifa, 25"x25", versus a 24 x 36 medium silverdome with a 750 watt tota. How much difference do the extra size and the internal baffle make? Are "hot spots and specular highlights" actually an issue with the Rifa? In other words, can you see a difference?

December 18th, 2003, 05:46 PM	#2
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	The Rifas have a very nice light imo. No hot spotting at all to my eye. I love their setup and portability. I also like that I can swap out lamps quick and change wattage when I don't need a 1K. Our PBS station WFUM up in Flint, MI bought two 88s after borrowing ours and loving the results. __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

December 29th, 2003, 05:33 PM	#5
Richard Veil Chimera Lighting Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Santa Cruz CA Posts: 293	Here is my take I like Rifa lights. They are super fast to set up but take about as long to break down due to the bulb cooling. but their are ups and downs to everything. No internal Baffle. Rifas are limited in wattage and wattage is determined by size. A person could find advantages by having seperate lights and Chimeras. Or vise versa. Rifa are fragile and do require extra care. I sold a Rifa to Rick Ocasic from the Cars once. For his son. Rick was cool. Strength and honor to my friend Eric at Lowel. __________________ Strength and Honor RLV

December 18th, 2003, 06:07 PM	#3
Kris Carrillo Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 28	i have a medium photoflex silverdome and have gotten very good results with it. having the internal baffle is very nice, since it reduces the hotspot in the center of the front diffusion panel. one other thing you might check on is whether or not the rifa can accept a grid on the front. i'm not sure because i've never used one, but the photoflex has a variety of accessories you can attach to the front to further modify and control the light. you'll find the grid (or eggcrate as some people call it) invaluable when shooting it tight spaces since it will help control spillage on your background. good luck and let us know what you decide to go with. kris carrillo WCTV 56

December 20th, 2003, 06:44 PM	#4
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	There are pros and cons to eacg setup. I own a photoflex with a tota and i like it. It's easy to tear down and the tota can be relamped easily and cheaply. You can use a GE HIR lamp that will give you 1000 watts of light for 650 watts of power. The Photoflex is cheaper than the Rifa as well. The biggest negative for using any other light than the Starlight or the Rifa is the safety screen. The safety screen cuts the light by 30%, the Starlight and Rifa use a secondary glass envelope. If you were to use the HIR lamp then this loss is absorbed, so i guess it about dead even.