While camera and lens companies continue to innovate, we also think that it’s great that lighting companies are also trying to do the same. Today’s announcement of the Broncolor FT lighting system has to be one the more brilliant and efficient use of lighting that we’ve seen in a while.
In essence, the system uses an actual Parabolic umbrella with adjustable light throw and a light tube that evenly spreads the light out throughout the umbrella. This is far different from a flash head that directly blasts light forward because it’s blasting light out in all directions and evenly illuminating the light modifier.
According to Broncolor’s Press release:
“what makes this unique is the new Para system uses a series of interchangeable Focusing Tubes. An FT focusing tube supports, positions and transfers power to the FT 1600W HMI and a 2000W Tungsten heads. The FT tube is wired for a lamp head with electrical connections integrated into the tube…The F tubes are designed for use with strobe heads or other third party fixtures that can be attached with the screw mount or by using one of the many attachment baskets made by broncolor.”
As for the products, the announcement focuses on the FT 1600 HMI system that boasts a lamp head and focusing tubes meant to to be used with the new Broncolor 88 HR and 133 HR Paras–which are said to be able to handle lots of heat that monolights output. In fact, Broncolor says that they can handle up to 2000W tungsten-halogen light sources.
With the parabolic umbrellas and the tubes working together, you essentially have two different variables that can control the flash exposure. Of course, there is the actual flash output but there is also the parabolic umbrella that acts as a zoom head akin to what you have on a hot shoe flash or to specifically shaped umbrella reflectors on more traditional studio strobes. The more narrow the beam due to the more narrow parabolic configuration, the more powerful it will look vs it being spread over a large area.
We’ve got no word on pricing yet, but considering that Broncolor offers the top of the line when it comes to lighting gear, don’t expect them to be cheap.
