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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Questions about umbrellas
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Showing posts 1 - 14 of 14, (reverse)
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 08/14/2009 12:00:46 PM · #1
Looking at trying to improve my lighting kit. Umbrellas are cheap enough, but I am wondering what the difference in functionality and light will be between what I see available. I see white, white with black on the outside, silver reflective and some variations. I also see some two light kits with umbrellas at the local shops for between $120-$150. I do realize these are not pro gear by any means. Are they total junk, or are they worth the cheap price to get started? Would I be better off to just by my own items piecemeal? Can anyone fill in a lighting newb?

I'm familiar with Strobist and I'm starting to spend some time there.
 08/14/2009 08:17:12 PM · #2
Bumpity bump?
 08/14/2009 09:35:59 PM · #3
There are shoot-through umbrellas, and ones you shoot into, etc. I have one of each of those, and I personally kinda like the shoot-through one a little better. I don't know if it's my imagination or not, but it seems like it produces a softer effect than the other one.

My only advice on the lights would be to avoid continuous lighting. At least for me personally, I am much happier with using strobes than continuous lights. I suspect that might be what they're offering for such a low price.
 08/14/2009 09:46:37 PM · #4
Originally posted by alanfreed:
There are shoot-through umbrellas, and ones you shoot into, etc. I have one of each of those, and I personally kinda like the shoot-through one a little better. I don't know if it's my imagination or not, but it seems like it produces a softer effect than the other one.


That's because the distance from the effective light source (the umbrella surface) to the subject is farther for a reflective umbrella than a shoot-through. For the former, the umbrella pole dictates a certain light-to-subject distance, whereas the shoot-through can be put pretty much as close as you want.
 08/14/2009 09:49:42 PM · #5
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Looking at trying to improve my lighting kit. Umbrellas are cheap enough, but I am wondering what the difference in functionality and light will be between what I see available. I see white, white with black on the outside, silver reflective and some variations. I also see some two light kits with umbrellas at the local shops for between $120-$150. I do realize these are not pro gear by any means. Are they total junk, or are they worth the cheap price to get started? Would I be better off to just by my own items piecemeal? Can anyone fill in a lighting newb?

I'm familiar with Strobist and I'm starting to spend some time there.


My suggestion is to get the Strobist DVDs and/or the OneLight DVD. Start with one light, and get modifiers and extra lights as you need them. You'll learn to recognize when you need another light or a certain modifier.
 08/14/2009 09:50:42 PM · #6
Originally posted by alanfreed:
At least for me personally, I am much happier with using strobes than continuous lights. I suspect that might be what they're offering for such a low price.

The cheap kits are continuous lights of about 500 watts each, two in a kit. Why do you say to avoid continuous lights?
 08/14/2009 09:52:04 PM · #7
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Originally posted by alanfreed:
At least for me personally, I am much happier with using strobes than continuous lights. I suspect that might be what they're offering for such a low price.

The cheap kits are continuous lights of about 500 watts each, two in a kit. Why do you say to avoid continuous lights?

Your models will get hot and sweaty.

They're nice to "see" what you're doing, though, which is why most "plug-in" strobes come with modeling lights.
 08/14/2009 09:53:03 PM · #8
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Originally posted by alanfreed:
At least for me personally, I am much happier with using strobes than continuous lights. I suspect that might be what they're offering for such a low price.

The cheap kits are continuous lights of about 500 watts each, two in a kit. Why do you say to avoid continuous lights?


Continous lights run VERY hot. In the "biz" they are referred to as Toasters. A model will melt under them in just a few minutes. Strobes on the other hand can deliver that very very bright light that a camera needs for fast clean exposure in a millisecond (flash) and so is not hot to work under.
08/14/2009 10:04:57 PM · #9
Not to hijack the thread, but what about flourescent hot lights? Constant yet cool, any experience with them?
 08/14/2009 10:05:48 PM · #10
Hm, well I've been playing around with an optically triggered strobe. For $35 apiece for a trigger sensor and bargain bin flashes for $5 or $10, Perhaps the thing to do is pick up a couple more of those and some umbrellas for the same money as one of those hotlight kits..
 08/14/2009 10:12:26 PM · #11
Originally posted by fldave:
Not to hijack the thread, but what about flourescent hot lights? Constant yet cool, any experience with them?


Never used one, Dave, but the description says they are specially designed for those shooting film with digital equipment. Not sure it makes a diff, but turns me off a bit. Also - I'd be too concerned about color-cast with flourescents. For less $$s, you can buy a good strobe. Seems a no-brainer to me. Check out Alienbees! ;)
 08/14/2009 10:14:28 PM · #12
Originally posted by idnic:
Check out Alienbees! ;)

Thanks Cindi!
 08/15/2009 12:32:47 AM · #13
Best bet is to go with a couple convertible umbrellas--you can use them shoot thru or reflecting. A small one is handy for toting in the field, with a speedlight clamped to it. A larger one is nice to have inside. Use the speedlights you have, and get a couple of cheap clamp lights at home depot with some flourescent bulbs and clamp them on for modeling lights when you need em. Works great.

I'll either post some links to what I have, or PM you (probably this weekend, when I have more time to write, instead of sound-biting it like right now :-)
 08/15/2009 02:33:09 AM · #14
Originally posted by fldave:
Not to hijack the thread, but what about flourescent hot lights? Constant yet cool, any experience with them?


Yup. Recently assisted a buddy with a band shoot using his new Westcott Spiderlite kit. Definitely gives a very cinematic feel, and I will definitely use them again for specific lighting requirements. As for color-cast... these are daylight balanced units.

That said - they are really only good for indoors (or a VERY controlled environment), and are a royal pain-in-the-butt to setup/tear down (they have 5 bulbs per unit, some with different sizes). When using 4 lights - that's 20 bulbs to screw/unscrew for each location setup!
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