The last light modifier I picked up was the profoto zoom spot small. I hadn’t had a chance to use it until this past weekend when a model wanted to have pictures in a variety of outfits (and without outfits). To change things up I pulled out the zoom spot small and, based on this shoot, I thought a post on this baby might be of interest. When I was researching this modifier I could find almost no info. Here is what I think.
What I love about it is the ability to add gobos to create a variety of window light looks quickly. One minute I had the model up against pink paper with a theatrical window look; then a quick gobo change and a warming gel and repositioning up against a grey studio wall and the set changes from a theatrical stage look to warm and steamy window light. Then off with that, a few strip lights and we are doing artistic nudes:
A caution though: the profoto zoom spot small gets hot. And because it is blocking so much light, you don’t get f/8 at 10 feet with a 1200 watt/second blast from a profoto pack. At ISO 50 (for the Phase One P65+) and about 10-12 feet away from the background, I was shooting f/2.8. If you want real power, you will have to spend considerably more on the full size zoom spot with built in flash. But, for under $1000, the zoom spot small is great fun.
