The Godox Parabolic 128 is one of the more expensive light modifiers by Godox. Is it worth the price of 2000 Euro (VAT, inc)?

A Parabolic is best used without a diffuser. Once you attach a normal white diffuser it becomes just a normal softbox and the difference between other diffused light formers will be hardly visible.

The optional Godox D1 or D2 diffusers are transparent and therefore the light a parabolic produces remains less or more the same.

For details of assembling and included parts I refer to Youtube and the official Godox website.

The Godox Parabolic softboxes are designed for both the H1200P or H2400P as written in the manual. Godox says they take no responsibility for any accident by using lights of other brands. A bit strange because you can perfectly use a AD600 Pro with extension cable. You mount the flash head on the strobe adapter and you move the flash head with the focusing rod.

When the light is placed most inwards you get a narrow beam with great contrast. At the focus point the light rays become collimated to output parallel light keeping strength and smoothness. When the light is moved further out the light rays spear out more so you get less contrast and more diffused light.

Hence a parabolic is loved by many fashion photographers like me.

Ever heard of the inverse square of law? The Inverse Square Law only applies to omni-directional light. Since Parabolic Reflectors focus the light into a directional beam, they do not follow this law! The light maintains intensity and maintains its unique look at greater distances. A parabolic reflector is a light collimator. It focuses the light into a straight and narrow beam. (like a Fresnel lens used in a lighthouse)

Why is a parabolic light former perfect for fashion photography? In my opinion it is a perfect balance between soft and hard light. Soft light for the skin and harder light for clothing texture. The beautiful shadows created by a parabolic result in lovely jawlines on the model. It creates depth and your photos look less flat compared to other softboxes.

A parabolic softbox is large and it needs a big and heavy light stand.

Outside it delivers! The light quality is unseen and perfect for fashion shots and in combination with a AD1200 Pro you can easily place it 8 meters from the model.

Positive:

• Build quality

• Quality of light

• Rod moves easily

• Grid and diffusers available for those who want it.

• Price (though it is expensive)

• Ideal combination with the AD1200 Pro

• Storage case looks really nice!

Negative:

• Plastic handle. This should have been in metal. Time will tell.

Overall score:

• 9,5/10