Paul C. Buff - The PLM System

The PLM™ System
Conceived and engineered by Paul Buff, this unique parabolic umbrella is the modern replacement for conventional umbrellas. The sixteen-rib frame forms a large-size, shallow parabolic shape, resulting in extremely efficient light transfer, smooth coverage patterns, and even illumination for maximum light wrap.

White PLM™ Umbrellas
white fabric for shoot-through or bounce use

provides wide, unfocused light over a 150º area
very soft shadows with perfect round catchlights
output is comparable to softbox output
available in 51-inch ($29.95), 64-inch ($34.95), and 86-inch size ($39.95)
easy umbrella-style mount (8mm pole)
Learn More about the White PLM™ Umbrellas...

compatible with:
White Front Diffusion Fabric (WFDF)
Black Front Spill Kill Fabric (BFSPKF)
Black Outer Cover (BOC)

Soft Silver PLM™ Umbrellas
soft silver bounce interior / black exterior

high efficiency (4 times the output of a softbox)
wider coverage with controlled, feathered fall-off
very soft shadows with perfect round catchlights
available in 64-inch ($49.95)
available in 86-inch ($69.95)
easy umbrella-style mount (8mm pole)
Learn More about the Soft Silver PLM™ Umbrellas...

PLM™ Accessories

when used with the Soft Silver PLM™, the PLM™ becomes a superior bounced-light softbox with very even light across the surface
when used with the White PLM™, it produces a very soft, wide-angle light (still a bounced light source)
can be used with the discontinued Extreme Silver PLM™ produce the softer light quality of a high-output softbox (still a bounced light source)
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when used with the White PLM™, it produces a 180° Japanese Lantern light source (non-directional, shoot-through umbrella with back spill control)
for use with the White PLM only (not intended for use with silver models)
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when used with the White PLM™, it eliminates unwanted back spill light, further maximizing the output in bounce mode
not intended for use with the Extreme Silver PLM™ or Soft Silver PLM™
not compatible with our retired speedring-mounted style PLMs
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PLM™ Spare and Replacement Parts
The spare and replacement parts below are for our discontinued, speedring-model PLM umbrellas only. These parts are not necessary for (and not compatible with) our current, standard umbrella-style PLM umbrellas.

spare or replacement 10mm shaft
for on-axis, speedring-mount PLM™ models only (Buff™ or Elinchrom)
not compatible with 8mm umbrella shaft PLM™ models
spare may be attached to speedring to quickly swap between speedring and umbrella mounting methods

spare or replacement 7mm umbrella rod
for on-axis, speedring-mount PLM™ models only (Buff™ or Elinchrom)
not compatible with 8mm umbrella shaft PLM™ models