Butterfly grids (also known as “butterfly light control grids” or just “grids” for butterflies) are essential in film, photo, and video lighting because they control and shape soft light -especially when you’re working with large diffusion frames (often 8x8, 12x12, etc.).
Narrow beam spread:
A butterfly grid narrows the spread of the soft light created by diffusion. This helps prevent unwanted spill onto the background, ceiling, or lens.
More directionality:
It adds a level of directionality to soft light, giving you a controlled, beautiful falloff - especially useful in interviews or close-up work.
Maintains Softness:
It maintains the soft quality of a large diffused source while giving it shape - unlike flags or cutters, which hard-cut the beam.
Better Contrast Control
By controlling the spread, you reduce light wrap and flare, which helps maintain contrast in the image.
Location Work:
On tight sets or outdoors, a butterfly grid helps contain the light, so you don’t accidentally light up background elements or bounce off things you don’t want.
The degree of a butterfly grid - like 30°, 40°, 50° - refers to the beam angle of the light that’s allowed to pass through the grid.
The Degree = Beam Spread
• A lower number (e.g. 30°) means a narrower beam - more directional, more controlled.
• A higher number (e.g. 50°) means a wider beam - less directional, softer edges.
• 30° = Narrow Spread and Tight control
• 40° = Medium Spread and Balanced, general use e.g. Interviews or portraits
• 50° = Wider Spread and Softer, Subtle shaping, large spaces
If you’re choosing one for your butterfly setup, think: how much spill can you afford?
• Need to control it tightly? Go 30°.
• Need more ambient spread but still shaped? Maybe 50°.
What is the difference between a honeycomb and a box cell pattern of the Grids?
BOX CELL Structure:
Pros:
• More directional control - sharper beam edges
• Less spill
• Tighter geometry - useful for lighting edges, faces, backgrounds
• Often better in windy outdoor setups (if made rigid as with all DoPchoice Grids)
Cons:
• May cast harder shadows if the light is too close
• Less forgiving in flex or odd mounting angles
HONEYCOMB Structure:
Pros:
• Smooth light shaping - gentle transitions, organic falloff
• More flexible material (can conform to slightly curved surfaces)
Cons:
• Less rigid in form (especially on large frames)
• Slightly less precise beam control compared to box cells
• Not ideal when ultra-sharp edge control is needed
