The 22-inch High Output Silver Beauty Dish creates a bright, highly-efficient light source with a narrow 45° beam spread. When used close to the subject, the narrow beam spread allows a more selective area of coverage. With about six times the efficiency of a white dish, the silver dish can be used to light subjects from greater distances as well, even with low power flash units.

The reflector arrives with an optional direct-light blocker. Direct light from the flashtube is blocked, allowing only bounced light from the reflector to fall on the subject. This reduces the degree of reflections from shiny “specular” objects.

Because of its geometry, the Silver Beauty Dish provides a somewhat higher degree of shadow softening and the finish allows more specularity than the White Dish. Even more specular response can be achieved by using the Beauty Dish without the included direct-light blocker. The result is a small center light source (the flashtube) surrounded by a 22-inch circle of reflected light that enhances reflections from shiny objects such as sequins, jewelry, etc., and achieves maximum pop.

The reflector additionally arrives with a translucent white diffusion sock that converts the Silver Beauty Dish into the equivalent of a round softbox with very even coverage and outstanding evenness across the face of the diffusion fabric. This widens the angle of coverage to about 150° and lowers the output by about 2-1/2 to 3 f-stops. It also minimizes the specularity and results in approximately the same photographic result as a conventional white beauty dish with diffusion sock.

As with any light modifier, there is no right or wrong use. It’s up to the photographer to use the light and modifier as best suits his/her intended purpose. Generally, one should consider using the Beauty Dish without the direct-light blocker when lighting from a distance. Because of its very high output in this mode, the Beauty Dish is an ideal tool for shooting weddings or other events, and for high key studio lighting with the light placed around 7 to 20 feet from the subject. For closer, more intimate lighting, using the diffusion sock will allow wider coverage and lower specularity. Using the Beauty Dish without the sock will result in more selective lighting and higher output, though this use may be challenging when higher power flash units are used due to the very high output of the Beauty Dish.

Beauty Dish	22HOBD Silver	22HOBD-W White
Size	22-inch diameter	22-inch diameter
Depth	6"	6"
Weight	2.4 pounds	2.4 pounds
Beam Spread	45°	130°
Interior Surface	bright silver	white
Light Blocker	optional, included	optional, included
Diffusion Sock	translucent white sock optional, included	translucent white sock optional, included

Flash Units: The Beauty Dishes attach to the faceplate of all Paul C. Buff standard flash units and flash heads, including the DigiBee units, Einstein units, AlienBees units, retired Zeus heads (Z2500SH and Z2500BTH) and White Lightning units (both the current X-Series line and the retired UltraZAP and Ultra lines). The dishes are not compatible with the AlienBees ABR800 Ringflash, the retired Zeus Ringmaster head, or the retired WL Series (5,000 and 10,000) units.

Grids: For more control over the spread of your light, you can use our 22HG15 15º honeycomb grid or our 22HG30 30º honeycomb grid. The 22HOBD and 22HOBD-W beauty dish reflectors also accept our discontinued 22RHG40 40º grid. The grids fit into the recessed lip on the face the reflectors.

Carrying Bag: For around-town travel with the beauty dish, we offer the HOBD-BAG 22-inch Carrying Bag. The soft-sided bag carries one 22HOBD (silver) or 22HOBD-W (white) beauty dish and includes a zippered compartment that can hold up to two beauty dish grids (22HG15 or 22HG30).