broncolor Para

The choice of legends.

There is no other light that gives bodies, faces and products as much volume and plasticity. broncolor Para is the light system with the most variants. Whether as a powerful spot, a soft light cloud, with diffusers or honeycomb grids, for continuous lighting or flash operation - you precisely achieve the light you want. Always. Everywhere.

broncolor Para

The choice of legends.

The magic of parabolic lighting

There are many modifiers on the market that claim to be ‘parabolic’ in shape, but very few of them actually are.

True parabolic lights produce a beautiful, sparkly light which is very flattering when it comes to skin tone and ideal for bringing out the detail in textures. The shape and reflective properties of the modifier allow for great control over the focus and contrast produced by the light — one of the main advantages of these modifiers.

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broncolor 3D effect

As the light radiates frontally from the optical axis, every object has an extremely plastic, three-dimensional appearance. It is especially this point that differentiates the Para from other large format light shapers with structured reflector material. See the effect of the true Para light with your own eyes.

Handmade in Switzerland

Unlike mass-produced products, the broncolor Para are handmade by employees with decades of experience. A rigorous quality control process of every single component as well as the finished product guarantees the well-known broncolor quality. An original broncolor Para is a lifelong companion.

Light, compact, unique

Set up in no time. For Para 88 and 133 – the mobile, small Para models – broncolor has developed a special, patented opening mechanism. Just two quick hand movements on the four clamping brackets allow the Para to be set up in seconds.

The Para 177 and 222 can be easily, and without great effort, set up by means of a crank handle mechanism. The rods are provided with joints that allow the Para to collapse and shorten to half the usual length for an easy transport.

Versatile and compatible

Thanks to the different adapters, the broncolor Para family can be used by both photographers and video makers from all areas. The Para systems are easy to operate with flash and continuous light from a variety of manufacturers. Furthermore, there is a universal adapter available which allows the majority of commercially offered lamps to be used.

As a further highlight, the Para can be used without the focusing device directly as reflectors with other broncolor lamps.

Unmatchable 3D effect

The Para system convinces with an incredible three-dimensional light, especially when used in a defocused position. Where does this extraordinary three-dimensional light characteristic come from?

The light is reflected in the 24 segments of the Para and focused depending on the position of the focusing tube. The strongest luminosity is in the centre of the motive you like to shoot. The luminosity decreases from this point in all directions; at the edge of the motive only half of the light hits the surface. Thanks to this, a white dress, for instance, against a white background can be perfectly separated.

Despite its size, a Para is not a soft light. The typical Para light has no diffusion and no contrast-reducing light close to the shooting axis as known from other larger light shapers. The unique Para product design enables the distinctive and very beautiful skin texture in portraits.

Unmatchable 3D effect

The Para system convinces with an incredible three-dimensional light, especially when used in a defocused position. Where does this extraordinary three-dimensional light characteristic come from?

Genious & swiss handcrafted

broncolor Para never ceases to impress.

Manufactured with love in Switzerland . At broncolor, we are driven by customer satisfaction. The daily motivation of every member of our big family is to support photographers in reaching their ambitious goals. We work with passion to make the decisive difference! With the broncolor Para system, every shoot becomes a success: incredible light variability from soft to spot-like in a lightweight and compact design.

The four big ones

In addition to the four sizes of Para, the Para 88 HR and the Para 133 HR allow to use continuous light at up to a maximum of 2000 W output. The apex zone of Para 88 HR and 133 HR is made of a specially heat-resistant material.

The Para 177 and 222 can also be used with continuous light without being equipped with the specially heat-resistant coating.

Legends

"Whenever I have the luxury of bringing my own broncolor equipment on set, the Para reflectors are always my light shapers of choice. They are easy to set up and cast phenomenally even and dimensional light without losing much power. Since I consistently shoot on location, having something that can compete with the sun is critical. The directional, 3-dimensional quality, along with the color consistency is what truly makes them shine."

Benjamin Von Wong

"I own multiple light shapers (from reflectors, a small Softbox to bigger Octabox light shapers) but nothing is capable of creating the type of light the Para system produces. It’s something special, and special was what we were looking for!"

Jeroen Nieuwhuis

Moja has been working with broncolor equipment for many years. His main light shapers are the Para light shapers together with other effect lamps such as the broncolor Flooter. Moja’s photographic signature is clearly recognisable by the unique 3D effect of the Para.

Patrick (MOJA)

Tutorials

EN Assembly of broncolor Para 88 and 133 in 60 seconds

Follow the commercial lifestyle photographer Erik Valind how he sets up the Para in his studio within 60 seconds without any tools.

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EN Assembly of broncolor Para 177 and 222 in 60 seconds

Follow the commercial lifestyle photographer Erik Valind how he sets up the Para in his studio within 60 seconds without any tools.

Watch Video

Technical data

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Accessories

Light grid

The Para light grids are unique due to the special construction of the lamellas that always keep a precise rectangular shape. This high-quality light grid provides more precision as it makes the light more directional. Restricting the beam angle to 40° there is much less flare light. A highly recommended accessory for portrait and fashion photography. A small pouch is included.

Diffuser

To control the light even more, three different diffusers are available for each Para size:

Diffuser 1 is an almost completely transparent fabric. Only a small portion of the light is diffused, and the typical Para light characteristics are not influenced. The light becomes somewhat finer, the contrast is slightly diminished and the dominance of reflections on the subject is reduced. This makes it a magnificent tool particularly for subtle lighting effects in glamour photography.

Diffuser 2 makes the light denser than number 1. The light becomes softer and more homogeneous but also a little less sculptural. Direct reflections in eyes or on other shiny surfaces appear as almost homogeneous white areas, and the additional scattered light in the studio reduces contrast. Unlike with number 3, however, some of the light can still pass through the diffuser without scattering, the light characteristics are retained to a lesser extent.

Diffuser 3 is a white, non-transparent fabric, and all the light is scattered. The result is an extremely homogeneous, very soft and low-contrast light.