Look... A picture is worth 5,000 words in this case! This modifier can only produce gorgeous light. Effortless to use. Many looks from a single modifier.

Easy to set up and use. Great case for carrying in the field - everything is there. I use this for head and shoulder shots and even full body portraits outdoors and in studio. The way it shapes the face and features of the subject is unmatched - and all with a singles source. Mostly shooting defocused but zooming as needed when farther away from the subject or for a more dramatic effect.

Quality is excellent so far on the 133. My other Para is a 177 where some of the stitching came undone at the plastic mounts near the outer tips after very few uses. I was able to stitch it back together in those two spots myself after receiving zero response from customer service. I have enquired 4-5 times to Broncolor with other questions and never received a response. For that reason I will stay away from Broncolor for anything other than basic reflectors and soft boxes.

What do you get when you buy Broncolor? Quality at ever step and level. Beautiful construction and solid, this puppy will put in years of effort and function.

Peerless light output. Excellent build quality, easy setup and teardown.


Not sure what that other reviewer's deficiency is, but the Siros lights work with the Para series just fine... you can even find countless images with Siros lights attached to paras.

I absolutely love it. I have seen the para before at B&H and fotocare; also on the field with photographers as talented as Benjamin Von Wong, who is one of Broncolor's embassadors. Always been impressed by the outstanding results and the versatility. I rented one unit for a commissioned job that you can search as the New Guinea Snake Charmer.Hope you like it. The reason I chose the Para 133 was its versatility and performance specially in situations in which the subject is not absolutely still. The Para 133 has to be the easiest light shaper to set up that I have ever used. It takes less than a minute to be ready to start shooting. This new version HR is designed to withstand the higher temperatures when using continuous light sources like HMI lights. I am very impressed with the quality of the newer construction and the 2 different materials found inside the reflective area, which really provides a combination of soft and hard light. This is the reason of the nickname the 3D light The Para 133 HR can be focused and defocused via the focusing shaft, which is much thicker and sturdy than the one found on the Para 88. In my case this is a blessing because I am using it to mount Broncolor's Siros 800 L monolights as opposed to lighter head lights used with the powerpacks like the Move L1200 or the Scoros. It doesn't bend or move at all once mounted on the Broncolor Para adpter part # 33.489.00. After watching Karl Taylor Beauty Lighting Comparison Tests in which the Para 133 was the absolute winner and using this newer version myself, I can say that this is one the best investments I have made.

This diffuser was recommended by Broncolor expert, Urs Recher, to diffuse the glossy surface of the large para when shooting multiple subjects. For one person, the Para 177 or 222 without the diffuser is amazing as is but with 2 or three subjects the one in the center gets the proper light focus and the people to the sides or above and below can pick up some inconsistent reflections.

The number 2 diffuser provides one stop of diffusion - enough to even out the lighting across multiple subjects while still maintaining the characteristics of the original 24 reflective panels.

It is very well made and fits tight, requiring the points on the outer diameter of the para to be pinched together slightly during application. It's not required but it does add a different look when shooting with the para fully defocused (extended) especially with multiple subjects.

One of the problems with most light modifiers that have parabolic in their name is that they are not. This has some implications for how they work as light shapers. The unique thing about a parabolic reflector is that of you place a light at the ficus, it will be reflected in parallel lines. One immediate consequence is that the inverse square law no longer applies and the light will travel very far and stay bright.
You can test if a reflector is parabolic by using a small bright flashlight at the focus point and shine it over the surface of the reflector. If it is parabolic, the reflected light should remain within the diameter of the reflector no matter where it hits the reflecting surface. Alternatively, put a modeling light on and position the flash head at the focus point and check the reflected patch on the wall. If you move the para closer or further away, the size of the patch should not change since the light coming out is coming out in parallel lines and the circle should not get bigger or small as the distance from the wall is changed.
The Broncolor Para 133 is exactly what is on the box: parabolic!
Of course, considering the fact that I can buy a small car for the same price, it absolutely should be what it says it is! Highly recommended for the lighting effects it can create.

Truly amazing modifier. A picture is worth 5,000 words in this case.

The quality of light is unmatched. My only regret - not buying this beauty earlier. The focusing rod and feathering yields a multitudes of variations of lighting on a model. Just gorgeous.

I chose the Para 177 as the biggest Para I could comfortably maneuver in my studio. Easy crank open set-up and take-down makes this large Para manageable in studio or on location. It's big enough to stand in front of while shooting and get beautiful light fall-off around the edges of the subjects with no fill reflector required. I often add a hair light but that's it - perfect lighting.

Coming from Parabolix I noticed the absence of a hot spot in the center with the Para 177 in the defocused (fully extended) position. See the Para 133 Reflector Kit review by Oleg here at B&H to see a photo comparison of the Parabolix vs the Broncolor catch lights. I am also using Profoto Pro light head with excellent results.

Machining, fit, and finish of the Para 177 are exceptional. As with all Broncolor Para's, the unique light quality and the versatility of going from a focused more specular light to a soft even defocused ring light effect is outstanding.