Photography Umbrellas

[JDArt]

I've not seen much quality differences among the various studio umbrellas that I've used. Have you?

With that in mind, what do you recommend as a good source for umbrellas? And which are your preferred sizes?

I'm finding the larger the better these days.

[mikej]

I have and use 3 sizes... 30", 40" and 60". I like the size of the 60" but you have to have the room for it. When I don't have the room I use the 40" (I think that's really a 42"). I like the smaller umbrella for fill and kicker lighting. It works very well for this.

I have both shoot through and reflective umbrellas, although the 60" is only a reflective type. All of mine are Photoflex brand. I find for studio work you can never have too many different umbrellas, reflectors, light stands, reflector holders, etc., around.

Mike

[JDArt]

Thanks. I don't own any shoot-through umbrellas. Which do you have and how do you use them? That is, what different effect do they create vs a bounce-off umbrella.

[mikej]

Shoot through umbrellas, those that are made up of white translucent nylon, I use when I want to diffuse the light but not soften it up that much. Shoot throughs also don't spread the light out as much. A reflection type umbrella will have a white, silver, gold or a combination of 2 or even all three colors, inner lining to reflect the light back. They usually have a black cover over the outside so the light doesn't come through the umbrella. These will diffuse the light but also soften the light a bit. reflecting it out of the umbrella will also spread the light out over a wider area. I use my 60" umbrella when I need to cover a large area as it really spreads the light out.

Here is a picture I took several years ago when I just had umbrellas and before I got my softboxes. That is the 60" and a 42" shoot through.



Mike

[JDArt]

Thanks, Mike. The stand on the left looks like the sturdy ones I've gotten from Amvona, btw.

[blundar]

Photogenic makes some good convertible umbrellas (shoot thru with a black backing that is removable). The Photogenic umbrellas are not expensive either. I own a 40" convertible umbrella that I am very happy with.

I also have an Alien Bees brolly box. This one is a smaller one and it is strictly shoot thru. It is not as nice as my Photogenic.

I also have a couple of diffusion panels that I use. I sometimes use them independently. Sometimes I shoot with the umbrellas shooting thru the diffusion panels to further soften up the lighting.

I'm also thinking of getting a Photek Softlighter 60". I've heard many good things about it.

[CI Photography]

Hey Jay. I bought these after you told about their backgrounds. I should have them by the weekend, I hope. I'll let you know how they are as soon as I can. I hope they are good being you can get them for a song.

http://cgi.ebay.com/SILVER-GOLD-PRO-...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/DYNAPHOS-PHOTO-L...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/WHITE-PRO-STUDIO...QQcmdZViewItem

I've been using Photogenic, But for the cheep price I'm gona try these.

Joe

[lordarka]

I’ve used Paul C. Buff (Alien Bees), Photoflex, and Profoto umbrellas, and they pretty much increase in quality in that order. To be honest, the difference between the Photoflex umbrella and the Profoto umbrella is marginal from a quality standpoint. The AB umbrella, on the other hand, is in the process of disintegrating, with the fasteners that hold the fabric out on the rods starting to fall off, and large gaps appearing at the top of the umbrella that leak light. The leak is not such an issue, as it’s a reflective umbrella, but compared to the outstanding quality of the other two, I am obviously left unimpressed. The interesting thing about the Photoflex umbrella is that it basically seems like a very well constructed rain-umbrella that has been converted into a photo umbrella. As such, it’s a really great piece. The Profoto umbrella, on the other hand, looks like it was constructed for the express purpose of photography; the folded dimensions are smaller, the fabrics are absolutely opaque on the outside and inside, and the overall construction is as solid, if not more solid, than the Photoflex.

That said, if I were out shopping for decent shoot-through or reflective umbrellas, I know I could not go wrong with Photoflex. I am very happy with all of the products I own from them.

Arka C.

[CI Photography]

Originally Posted by CI Photography

* * * * * * * * *Hey Jay.* * *I bought these after you told about their backgrounds. I should have them by the weekend, I hope. I'll let you know how they are as soon as I can. I hope they are good being you can get them for a song.*

http://cgi.ebay.com/SILVER-GOLD-PRO-...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/DYNAPHOS-PHOTO-L...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/WHITE-PRO-STUDIO...QQcmdZViewItem

* * * * * * * *I've been using Photogenic, But for the cheep price I'm gona try these.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Joe

I got these in today. Well, you know the saying, if it seems to good to be true, most of the time it is. :-\ I haven't tried these as of yet, and don't realy care to. I'll be staying with the name brand equipment I've been getting from B&H.

Joe