Rogue Flashbender 2 Xl Pro Lighting System Review

Rogue FlashBender 2 XL Pro lighting arrangement review

Rogue FlashBenders have been amidst our favorite line-ups of flash light modifiers since nosotros first reviewed them in 2010. Over the years, new models like XL Pro and new accessories similar Rogue Diffusion Panels have been added to the FlashBender family. Recently, ExpoImaging has updated its lite modifiers with some features that were meaning enough to put a Version 2 designator on the whole family. In this review, we are focusing on Rogue FlashBender two Xl Pro, which is currently the largest FlashBender low-cal modifier.

There are ii main differences that FlashBenders 2 bring to photographers: reduced weight and updated attachment system.

The folks from ExpoImaging have adult a new custom fabric for their reflectors, which immune the weight to exist reduced by 20%-30%. In the example of FlashBender 2 XL Pro, our measurements confirmed the weight departure of about 25% (8.3oz / 236g vs. 11oz / 310g). The new material is thinner, lighter, and withal very durable. On top of that, we found that information technology actually allows the reflector to exist more "bendable" and easier to shape.

We've ever loved the integrated attachment system of the FlashBenders. The new design replaces the stretchy strap with a buckle. Since with FlashBender 2, yous now need to feed the strap through the buckle, information technology may accept a few more than seconds to adhere information technology (compared to the original pattern). Nonetheless, when you lot disassemble your FlashBender two, you can just loosen the strap a picayune to slide the reflector right off. So, for the next employ, you lot simply slide information technology dorsum on and tighten the strap. This flim-flam works well with most speedlights (nosotros tried nigh about 10 different models), but with some large flash heads (similar, for instance, Nissin MG8000 Farthermost), it is still be meliorate to completely remove the strap from the buckle, because it may be difficult to slide the reflector over the flash head.

The most significant improvement of the new attachment system, notwithstanding, is how much more secure it is. The original pattern worked well, merely the new i is fifty-fifty better, so fifty-fifty the large Rogue FlashBender 2 XL Pro can stay in place with no problems.

Different Large and Small models, FlashBender ii XL Pro comes with accessories, which include softbox attachment (diffusion panel), stripbox zipper, and a travel bag. The original version of XL Pro used to come with a silver attachment, which we rarely used, and so nosotros are happy to see that a travel bag is now included instead. It's definitely going to be more applied for about photographers.

Some other large change for Rogue FlashBender 2 XL Pro is the re-designed stripbox attachment. The original blueprint allowed you lot to adapt the width of the stripbox for narrower or wider light spread. The new stripbox design features an integrated grid, which makes the light more focused fifty-fifty when compared to the narrowest configuration of the older panel.

The images below show the light distribution patterns of the regular softbox zipper, original stripbox (set broad), original stripbox (fix narrow), and the new stripbox attachment.

Also, in the above images, y'all can see a noticeable amount of light spill at the bottom of the original stripbox, which is caused by the opening at the bottom of the FlashBender when it is shaped for the stripbox configuration. The FlashBender ii attachment has a bottom flap that closes the opening for better command of the light. While, in most cases, we don't run into this low-cal spill equally a problem, in some photography applications and setups, it can exist beneficial to have that bottom flap airtight.

The following case demonstrates Rogue FlashBender 2 40 Pro with its new stripbox attachment in use. In the top paradigm, y'all can see that the grid does a bang-up chore focusing the light, and so there is no low-cal spill on the background. And then, for the final image (second from the top), nosotros were able to add a split flash behind the bailiwick to illuminate the background the style we wanted. We also added a third speedlight with Rogue Grid attached to it in order to throw a axle of calorie-free onto the front of the accordion to bring to live the details of the instrument's pattern.

Finally, we noticed that the FlashBender 2 reflector had a couple of additional Velcro strips (the hooks) along the top border. They are put in place to hold the attachments a bit more securely. We figured that they could besides be used to vary the diameter of the front opening when using Rogue FlashBender two every bit a snoot. We don't retrieve that this is an intended use, but nosotros thought information technology's worth mentioning because it gives you even more means to employ your FlashBender two.

To summarize, Rogue FlashBender two XL Pro is a very overnice footstep upwards from the original model. The reduced weight puts less stress on your flash head, the reflector is easier to bend, and the new belt-and-buckle attachment is extremely secure. The new stripbox attachment with an integrated filigree is great for creating soft focused calorie-free. The silver attachment is not included anymore, but instead, you get a squeamish travel bag to keep the FlashBender ii Forty reflector and the attachments together. With its bendable reflector, included softbox and stripbox attachments, Rogue FlashBender 2 XL Pro Arrangement is a versatile lighting solution, and we can recommend it for a wide variety of photography applications. It is likewise worth mentioning that the new generation of Rogue XL Pro is priced exactly equally the first version. (You can cheque the current prices below.)

russellbefiture1972.blogspot.com

Source: https://photo-tips-online.com/review/rogue-flashbender-2-xl-pro-lighting-system/#:~:text=To%20summarize%2C%20Rogue%20FlashBender%202,buckle%20attachment%20is%20extremely%20secure.

Share this post