Phottix Luna Collapsible Beauty Dish

The Phottix Luna collapsible beauty dish is the answer to location and on-the-go beauty lighting needs.

Design

The dish comes in a collapsed state in a drawstring sleeve. Also included is a diffusion sock. Folded up like an umbrella the beauty dish weighs 2.5 lbs. and measures 15.5 inches.As you open the unit and spread out the white internal panels, you see a very clever interlocking system. Each individual panel is spread and held by hinged white fiberglass rods that lock together. This keeps the panels spread and form the shape of the beauty dish. Just as easily, you collapse these rods to close down the dish. The assembly and disassembly is very easy and very quick.The internal reflector dish is mounted to the unit with three aluminum rods and screws. This is one component that feels a bit flimsy and in the unit I received one of the holding screws is loose and cannot be tightened. Possible over tightening during manufacture has caused the threads to strip.  A rear extension sleeve covers the front section of your strobe and stays in place using the provided drawstring.  The diffusion sock is also well constructed and fits snug over the edge of the dish.  The basic unit comes with a Bowens compatible speed ring. Speed rings for Elinchrome and Balcar units are available at a reasonable price. The Phottix HS Speed Mount is available for use with a hot shoe flashQualityThe overall quality is very good. The panels are well made and the material used is as god as some expensive soft boxes. The use of fiberglass instead of plastic keeps the unit rigid and maintains its shape even after multiple assembly and disassembly. The center reflector is a bit flimsy and could be made better.The Luna was attached to an Elinchrome strobe to check the quality of the light it produces. I found the light to be well balanced and provides very similar light to one produced by a metal beauty dish. The shallow rim does impact the quality somewhat. The light quality becomes much softer when you add the provided sock. As Phottix does not provide or make a grid for the Luna, controlling the light would require a DIY grid. I do hope they can make a grid attachment in the near future.Pros:

• Lightweight
• Quick assembly and tear down
• Good construction and materials
• Portability 

Cons:

• No Grid capability

Overall the Phottix Luna Beauty Dish is a great light modifier and ideal for location and studio shoots. The light quality is good and with the diffuser you have a true portable soft light suitable for head-shots and waist up portraiture. Most of all, the price is right - $60.I would recommend this for both location and studio work and there is one in my studio.