Profoto Deep Small Umbrella (33", Silver)

Profoto's deep SILVER umbrellas make no sense whatsoever for mathematical reasons. Contrary to Profoto's own marketing on their website, these aren't parabolically shaped at all. A parabola has a precise definition Profoto would be wise to read about. As a result, Profoto's deep silver umbrellas don't behave like umbrellas such as Paul Buff's ones, which, even though they still are only an approximation of a paraboloid, are much closer to the ideal shape. Contrary to Profoto's marketing, if you're using a strobe with an omnidirectional flash tube, it won't focus light any better than a Paul Buff PLM and won't spill any less (please properly use spill kill reflectors before talking about light spill). Even worse, the focal point of the outer area of umbrella is beyond the sliding runner, where you can't locate a light source. That means that even with a bare bulb, you can't reflect light striking the outer part of the umbrella towards a subject that's on axis with the umbrella's shaft (only the central part is illuminated from the subject's point of view). The result is that even though you think you're buying a 85, 105, 130 or 160cm modifier, in reality you're buying a modifier that's effectively much smaller, and light is much harder. A Paul Buff 51inch PLM will give a softer light than a Profoto deep silver L for example, despite being smaller, and will focus light better. And, finally, even if you could reach the focal point of the outer area (you can't), since most of Profoto's heads currently sold have an internal flash tube, you wouldn't be able to strike the outer part of the umbrella anyway. In addition, manufacturing is line with similar umbrellas from China and a far cry from Broncolor's Focus 110, which is much better made. Photos below were taken with a B2 head - but don't fool yourself. With an omnidirectional head, from the subject's point of view, it will be more or less the same. The Cactus umbrella is a shallower silver pseudo-parabolic umbrella.