Gridspots vs Barndoors

[AdrenoJunkie]

I posted this question in the gear section and never got a response so I'm gonna try my luck here. Can anyone tell me the pros/cons of gridspots and barndoors for light restriction? I've got a $50 credit to Alienbees burning a hole in my pocket and I can't decide which would be the better route to go. I'll be using them on an AB800.

[OsmosisStudios]

Grids allow you to direct where and how light falls: barndoors only control where it doesnt. I'd be tempted to go for a snoot, personally.

[AdrenoJunkie]

A snoot would be nice but it requires the Light Mod Frame which puts it our of my budget. The grids and barndoors will clip directly to my reflector. What do you mean by 'how' the light falls? Are you refering to the shape of the light?

[zona5101]

barn doors are simply gobos, they block the light and because they are mounted on the frame of the light , they only restrict the light and prevent spill on the edge. The light is unaffected where it is not touched by the barn door. A grid effects all the light, and restricts all the spill and direction. A grid is more restrictive. To change the amount of control on a grid, you change to a different grid degree. On a barndoor you move the flaps to change the degree of restriction.

As far as your AB spend...it is much more difficult to make a DIY grid than a barndoor. You can recreate the effect of a barn door out of any just about anything that blocks light. For me a grid is more useful for control on a hair or rim light.

[AdrenoJunkie]

Thanks alot Zona. The DIY aspect of it has sold me. I have a bunch of DIY gear already, I'm pretty sure I can concoct some sort of barndoors also. So gridspots it is. Thanks again for the help.