Optical Snoot Review by Jake Hicks
In this Blog, we take a look at a Review of our Optical Snoot by Photographer Jake Hicks.
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PiXAPRO
EF/Mount Optical Snoot Spot Projector with Gobos Kit
H-061202
The Pixapro® EF-Mount Optical snoot, together with canon EF or EF-S lenses, enables you to project patterns onto your subject or background, to produce creative or cinematic effects with your strobe or LED studio light. This is the ideal tool for any photographer or cinematographer, who like to get creative with their lighting. Perfect for fashion, beauty, portrait, food, and product photographers. It is also a great tool for filmmakers.
Compatible with Canon EF Lenses
Unlike most optical snoot projectors, the EF-Mount Optical snoot can be used in conjunction with any Canon EF or EF-S mount lenses, giving you the option of using either wide-angle lenses (for projections that cover a wide area) or telephoto lenses (for smaller, more controlled projections).
Gobos Available.
The EF-Mount Optical snoot has a wide range of gobos available for it, which enable you to project different shapes and patterns onto your background or subject. You can focus or de-focus the light to produce softer or sharper projections, depending on the type of look you are trying to achieve. It can also be used in conjunction with coloured gels for creative effects.
Interchangeable Fitting
The EF-Mount Optical snoot features an interchangeable speedring, which enables it to be used with a variety of different flash brands, including Bowens, Elinchrom, Broncolor, and Profoto (please view compatibility table below for more information).
Tips and Recommendations
Although the EF-mount optical snoot can be used with any Canon EF or EF-S mount lenses, to get the best results, we recommend using fast prime lenses with a maximum aperture of about f/2.8 or wider (such as a 50mm or 85mm f/1.8). using lenses with smaller max. apertures will result in dimmer projections.
The Optical Snoot is the ideal tool for any photographer or cinematographer who likes to get creative and add mood with their lighting, which can range from fashion, portrait, editorial and product photographers.
Not Suitable for use with Hot Lights.
NOTE: Canon STM Lenses do NOT work with this Optical Snoot as they Cannot be manually focused unless attached to a camera body.
NOTE: Flash head, stand and Lens are not included with this product.
Fitting Compatibility
| Fitting Type | Compatible Brands |
| Bowens S-Type | Pixapro, Lencarta, Godox, Aurora, Lastolite Lumen8, RimeLite, iLux, Walimex VC / K +DS, Jinbei, Bowens, Interfit: Stellar, Venus and Honey Badger Series |
| Elinchrom | Elinchrom, Interfit EX and EXD series, Calumet Genesis Studio Flashes |
| Broncolor (Big) | Broncolor Primo, Pulso, Siros, Minicom, Unilite, Litos, MobiLED and Flashman flash heads |
| Profoto | Profoto Flash Heads |
Features
- Focuses light with Canon EF mount lenses
- Can be used in conjunction with Gobos and Gel filters
- Great for adding creativity and mood to your shots
- Interchangeable Speedring to allow you to adapt to fit a range of lighting units.
What’s In the Box
- 1x Optical Snoot
- 1x Gobo Holder
- 9x Random Slides
- 16x Gobos
Specifications
| Lens Mount | Canon EF/EF-S Mount |
| Max. Gobo Diameter | 6cm |
| Gobo Holder Diameter | 8.6cm |
| Gobo Projection Diameter | 4.5cm |
| Gobo Holder Slot Diameter | 8.8cm |
| Optical Snoot Depth | 13.7cm (Without Speedring) |
| Optical Snoot Diameter | Approx 17cm |
| Optical Snoot Weight | 440g |
| Gobo Material | Stainless Steel |
| Gobos Dimensions | 60mm x 72mm |
| Gobos Patterns | Spot, Slit, Boxed, Diagonally, Orb, Wave, Dots, Dream, Blossom, Scatter, Flare, Bubble, Foam, Louvre, Tree, Dens Palm |
Videos
Q&A’s
I am using 600Ws Flash but the optical snoot doesn't seem to be giving me enough power, am I doing something wrong?
The main purpose of the optical snoot is to project patterns onto your subject or background, to produce creative and dramatic effects with your strobe or LED studio light.
The optical snoot will not transmit 100% of the power output by light, like many other light modifiers do (e.g. softboxes, reflectors etc), as some of the light bounces around inside the snoot, and is absorbed by the interior walls of the snoot. Distance to subject will also affect the amount of output that you will get out of it.
We recommend using lenses with a maximum aperture of at least f/2.8 (ideally f/2.0 or wider) to get the most power out of your light. With this set up, you should be able to get a decent amount of light output, and create projections with a sharp edge or a a soft edge by changing the focus of the lens (please see images below).
Sharp Edge
Soft Edge
Images are provided by Jason Vaughan
Can I use standard GOBOs with this optical snoot?
The holder that comes with this optical snoot is designed to work with our gobos, which are 60mm in width/diamter and aren't a standard size unfortunately. The Closest standard GOBO sizes to ours, are SIZE D (which are slightly smaller at 53.3mm in diameter) and SIZE M (Which are slightly bigger at 65.5mm in diameter).
However, you may still be able to use them with some sort of DIY Solution. For example, the photo below shows an M-Sized GOBO stuck on to the back of the GOBO holder using Gaffer Tape, and it still worked perfectly. The only downside is that you may lose a bit of the edge depending on the gobo (we wouldn't recommend using the Gaffer tape solution if you are using it with a flash that has a halogen modelling lamp).
Can I use a Zoom lens with this Optical Snoot?
You can use a zoom lens with this optical snoot, however, please be aware that Zoom-lenses typically do not let as much light through as a fixed prime lens can. Therefore, your projections will come out considerably darker than they would have done if you had used a fixed prime lens.
Zoom lenses with wide apertures are typically quite expensive and heavy. Depending on the light you are using it on, or the stand, you may or may not want to us it on the optical snoot. A selection of fast primes at various focal lengths would be a better option.
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Ask a questionDelivery & Returns
UK Delivery Rates
Free UK Standard delivery on orders over £150.00*
| Order Date (if received before 3pm) | Cost | Latest Expected Delivery Date |
|---|---|---|
| UK Saver Delivery (Orders over £150*) | FREE | 2-3 Days |
| UK Saver Delivery | £5.00 | 2-3 Days |
| UK Next Working Day | £8.00 | Next Working Day |
| UK Before 2pm Next Working Day | £18.00 | Before 2pm Next Working Day |
| UK Saturday Delivery | £30.00 | Saturday |
Returns
EssentialPhoto is committed to the provision of quality and reliable products and outstanding customer service. Buyers are entitled to cancel the order and return the goods within 28 working days for a full refund of the purchase price of the goods.
International Delivery Rates
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Product Reviews
EF/Mount Optical Snoot with Gobos Kit
Amazing piece of kit, opens up a whole new host of ideas.
EF/Mount Optical Snoot with Gobos Kit
I had planned to get this at The Photography Show but dues to it being postponed, I decided to buy online as there price was right for me.
EF/Mount Optical Snoot with Gobos Kit
Great quality build product, feels and handles like the best out there, but a lot cheaper.
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