60" umbrella???

[Tareq]

Hey,

So which 60" umbrella do you recommend [talking about the brand]?

[Eero Makela]

Softlighter II

http://www.photekusa.com/Softlighter.html

[Tareq]

Originally Posted by Eero Makela

Softlighter II

SOFTLIGHTER II

Thank you very much!

I saw that before and considered it, but it looks like more as a softbox, so i was looking to get just a normal ordinary umbrella, even this Softlighter is in form of umbrella but it remind me with my octabox.

[fjgindy]

Photoflex 60"

Photoflex | Convertible Umbrella-60" | UM-RUT60 | B&H Photo

But the Softliter II is more flexible and useful to me.

[Eero Makela]

The Softlighter II gives you 3 setups

1. Normal Umbrella - Bounce flash

2. Shoot Thru Umbrella

3. And the umbrella softbox type (not really a softbox but hard to explain) , which is the best way to use it for people photography. It is kinda like an octobox except the strobe is in the center

So you pay a little more but you get one with all 3 features in one umbrella.

Plus it is quick to setup. The 60" one is a little tricky but can be done if very careful not to bend the ribs.

[Tareq]

Originally Posted by Eero Makela

The Softlighter II gives you 3 setups

1. Normal Umbrella - Bounce flash

2. Shoot Thru Umbrella

3. And the umbrella softbox type (not really a softbox but hard to explain) , which is the best way to use it for people photography. It is kinda like an octobox except the strobe is in the center

So you pay a little more but you get one with all 3 features in one umbrella.

Plus it is quick to setup. The 60" one is a little tricky but can be done if very careful not to bend the ribs.

Aha, i thought it is only that last [point 3] setup, but if i can use it in 3 different styles or forms then that is exactly what i want then, great, you saved my time and money [not expensive if i will buy something equivalent separately].

[Tom Swaman]

My vote is for Photek, either their umbrellas which are not really featureded on their website, but are on B&H's website or the Softlighter II. You can also buy the Photek mount for two strobe heads and get excellent results. Finally, the Photek Sunbuster can be used indoors as a ver effective shoot through light softener, particularly with two strobes as this is 84 inch.

Regards,
Tom

[Tareq]

Originally Posted by Tom Swaman

My vote is for Photek, either their umbrellas which are not really featureded on their website, but are on B&H's website or the Softlighter II. You can also buy the Photek mount for two strobe heads and get excellent results. Finally, the Photek Sunbuster can be used indoors as a ver effective shoot through light softener, particularly with two strobes as this is 84 inch.

Regards,
Tom

Thank you very much for the vote, i will look at those, and i really now lean towards Softlighter II.

[Eero Makela]

BTW the Softlighter II is Photek

[Tom Swaman]

Tareq,

Please make certain you want a white umbrella.The 60 inch Softlighter II by Photek is a good modifier, but only as a white or shoot through umbrella. This unit will not accept a silver or gold insert as do the two smaller models. Also, if you want a near perfectly uniform, i.e. soft light, do not forget the Illuminata, also by Photek. If you want silver or gold, you ought best purchase a plain umbrella as shown on the B&H website.

Regards,
Tom

[Tareq]

Originally Posted by Eero Makela

BTW the Softlighter II is Photek

I know, just i thought people talking about another umbrellas from Photek not the Softlighter.

Originally Posted by Tom Swaman

Tareq,

Please make certain you want a white umbrella.The 60 inch Softlighter II by Photek is a good modifier, but only as a white or shoot through umbrella. This unit will not accept a silver or gold insert as do the two smaller models. Also, if you want a near perfectly uniform, i.e. soft light, do not forget the Illuminata, also by Photek. If you want silver or gold, you ought best purchase a plain umbrella as shown on the B&H website.

Regards,
Tom

Exactly, i want only the white one, not looking for silver or gold discs.

[Eero Makela]

Also they make two types a 8mm shaft and a 7mm shaft for Elinchrom strobes. Funny thing about the 7mm it really is not and is a little loose on the elinchrom. but with the strobe wrap sock it stays in place. The 7mm one does not have a removable shaft.

[Tareq]

Originally Posted by Eero Makela

Also they make two types a 8mm shaft and a 7mm shaft for Elinchrom strobes. Funny thing about the 7mm it really is not and is a little loose on the elinchrom. but with the strobe wrap sock it stays in place. The 7mm one does not have a removable shaft.

What does that mean, i saw that two types on B&H, but i never know what is the difference, and your post making me more confusing, sorry but as English is not my language so your explanation or description didn't help me to understand.

[Eero Makela]

If you use Elinchrom Strobes they have umbrella mounting hole that is 7mm in size

Umbrellas come in two shaft diameter 7mm and 8mm as far as I know

8mm is all other except Elinchrom strobes, as far as I understand.

so if you plan on using them on Elinchrom Strobes you want to get the 7mm shaft
Otherwise get the 8mm shaft

[Tareq]

Originally Posted by Eero Makela

If you use Elinchrom Strobes they have umbrella mounting hole that is 7mm in size

Umbrellas come in two shaft diameter 7mm and 8mm as far as I know

8mm is all other except Elinchrom strobes, as far as I understand.

so if you plan on using them on Elinchrom Strobes you want to get the 7mm shaft
Otherwise get the 8mm shaft

I see, No, i don't use any Elinchrom Strobes.

[Tom Swaman]

Fero,

I believe that Elinchrom and Profoto take a 7mm umbrella shaft and most others take an 8mm shaft.

I have two different kinds of original umbrella mounts on my different Elinchrome strobes. I recently bought two new strobes that had the solid hole in the mount. I suspect that both Photek umbrella shafts will work in these mounts as I believe that Photek makes their larger mount to fit Elinchrom mounts. I own 8mm, adjustable shaft Photek light modifiers. I can report that all of these work well with my Elinchrom strobes.

I do not know about other brands of shafts as I only have Elinchrom, Profoto and Photek at this time.

Regards,
Tom