We Test All MagMod Modifiers in the Exact Same Spot!

Sean Lewis

Updated on:

00 All MagMod Modifiers Feature

We’re going to use a full range of lighting modifiers from one of our favorite modifier makers, MagMod (who were among the first on the scene to use magnets and simplify the entire process of modifying light), to see how the same scene changes under different light. This series of portraits will reveal how each modifier works and should give you some ideas on how to create the look you’re after. So, let’s get to it. Bookmark this article/video and use it for reference.

Video

Lighting Modifier Checklist

Here are the modifiers we used for comparison.

Rules for Our Lighting Modifier Comparison

BTS of the setup

To help ensure consistency, we decided on the following:

  • Our subject wore the same outfit and stood in the same pose for all of the shots in the series.
  • We used the same location throughout the series of images.
  • For the lighting pattern, we used the Rembrandt pattern, which we achieved with placing the light roughly 45-degrees off-camera.
  • We also used a tripod in portrait orientation to keep the composition unchanged.!

The Results

Here are the results from our comparison using the full lineup of MagMod’s modifiers.

Ambient Exposure (No Flash)

Dark shot without modification
RAW SOOC: 28-70mm @ 35mm | 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 800

Bare Bulb (For Comparison)

barebulb test shot
RAW SOOC: 28-70mm @ 35mm | 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 800 | Flash Power = 1/32

MagMod Modifiers: MagGrid

04 All MagMod Modifiers MagGrid
RAW SOOC: 28-70mm @ 35mm | 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 800 | Flash Power = 1/32 with MagGrid

MagSphere

05 All MagMod Modifiers MagSphere
RAW SOOC: 28-70mm @ 35mm | 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 800 | Flash Power = 1/32 with MagSphere

MagMod Modifiers: MagGrid + MagSphere

Example with MagSphere
RAW SOOC: 28-70mm @ 35mm | 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 800 | Flash Power = 1/32 with MagGrid + MagSphere

[Related Reading: Mastering Light Control with MagMod Modifiers – Part I]

MagBounce

07 All MagMod Modifiers MagBounce
RAW SOOC: 28-70mm @ 35mm | 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 800 | Flash Power = 1/8 with MagBounce

MagSnoot

Example of MagSnoot Wide
RAW SOOC: 28-70mm @ 35mm | 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 800 | Flash Power = 1/8 with MagSnoot (Pushed in)
Example of MagSnoot Narrow
RAW SOOC: 28-70mm @ 35mm | 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 800 | Flash Power = 1/8 with MagSnoot (Pulled out)

MagMod Modifiers: MagBox 24 Octa

10 All MagMod Modifiers MagBox 24 No Diffusion
RAW SOOC: 28-70mm @ 35mm | 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 800 | Profoto B10 Flash Power = 1/64 with MagBox 24 Octa (No diffusion)
11 All MagMod Modifiers MagBox 24 With Diffusion
RAW SOOC: 28-70mm @ 35mm | 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 800 | Profoto B10 Flash Power = 1/32 with MagBox 24 Octa (With diffusion panel)
12 All MagMod Modifiers MagBox 24 With Diffusion and Grid
RAW SOOC: 28-70mm @ 35mm | 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 800 | Profoto B10 Flash Power = 1/16 with MagBox 24 Octa (With diffusion panel + grid)

[Related Reading: Hard vs Soft Light Layering: Mastering Light Control with MagMod Modifiers – Part II]

Magbox 36 Strip

Light box in strip shape
RAW SOOC: 28-70mm @ 35mm | 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 800 | Profoto B10 Flash Power = 1/64 with MagBox 36 Strip (Without diffusion)
14 All MagMod Modifiers MagBox 36 Strip With Diffusion
RAW SOOC: 28-70mm @ 35mm | 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 800 | Profoto B10 Flash Power = 1/16 with MagBox 36 Strip (With diffusion)
MagBox 36 Strip With Diffusion and Grid
RAW SOOC: 28-70mm @ 35mm | 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 800 | Profoto B10 Flash Power = 1/8 with MagBox 36 Strip (With diffusion + grid)

MagMod Modifiers: MagBox 42 Octa

16 All MagMod Modifiers MagBox 42 Without Diffusion
RAW SOOC: 28-70mm @ 35mm | 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 800 | Profoto B10 Flash Power = 1/64 with MagBox 42 Octa (Without diffusion panel)
MagBox 42 With Diffusion
RAW SOOC: 28-70mm @ 35mm | 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 800 | Profoto B10 Flash Power = 1/16 with MagBox 42 Octa (With diffusion panel)
MagBox 42 With Diffusion and Grid
RAW SOOC: 28-70mm @ 35mm | 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 800 | Profoto B10 Flash Power = 1/8 with MagBox 42 Octa (With diffusion panel and grid)

Conclusion

Refer back to this article and video for a full reference guide to MagMod Modifiers.

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