umbrellas - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

01/09/2006 05:49:50 PM · #1

silver, shoot thru, or white?

what size?

any brands to stay away from?

hokie

Nikon D2X

01/09/2006 05:55:56 PM · #2

Woah..there is no one answer unless you know what you want to do with it. To describe the situations for each would take a while.

This is from B&H...

..."Umbrellas soften, broaden, and diminish the light output of any tungsten or flash light source. Umbrellas with a white interior will soften and weaken light more than an umbrella with a silver lining. A white umbrella without a black backing may also be used as a makeshift softbox, although the use of the light will not be as efficient as with a lightbox.

Choosing umbrella size is determined by the size of the subject, and the strength of the light supply being used. Choosing an umbrella surface is as subjecetive as choosing a paint and brush."....

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/09/2006 06:19:46 PM · #3

Originally posted by hokie:

i dont wanna lose too much light, will silver still soften the light a lot more than direct flash?

PS im using these with viv 285's/

Nuno

Nikon D700

01/09/2006 06:57:38 PM · #4

I will follow this threath close, because I'm looking to buy some studio flashes.

But let me put some wood in to the fire... And about brolly boxes?

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

01/09/2006 11:18:16 PM · #5

photography related bump, for a front page thats filled with everything but photography.

saintaugust

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

01/09/2006 11:19:17 PM · #6

i prefer waterproof ones.

hokie

Nikon D2X

01/09/2006 11:23:35 PM · #7

I think I like softboxes more than umbrellas for everything but travel.

Our studio only uses softboxes...very few umbrellas in house. Only when we travel and even then..if we have the space..we take soft boxes.

Softboxes give a lot more latitude for light control. And you can still take umbellas (like a silver and a white) for wide throws of light.

Silver gives more specular highlights and reflects more light, white umbrellas can be blocked with black on the back, take the black off the back and let light spill out or you can shoot through them for a softbox like effect without the spill control of a softbox.

Message edited by author 2006-01-09 23:24:55.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

01/09/2006 11:31:32 PM · #8

Originally posted by hokie:

softboxes are simply out of the question right now for me due to the fact that ill be shooting mostly on location, and it just seems so much simpler to shoot with umbrellas. ill most likely be shooting band promo shots, and just need something to soften the light. how significant is the light loss between silver and white umbrellas (both with and without the black backing)?

hokie

Nikon D2X

01/09/2006 11:46:46 PM · #9

Originally posted by hsteg:

Yeah..I operate the same. I travel with a silver umbrella for my main strobe to throw the most light and then a white umbrella with a black out back for my second strobe..which I can bounce, control some spill or shoot through, a soft box for tabletop applications and portraits.....plus various reflectors for fill light and my removable camera flash for tight spots, backlighting, fill flash..whatever.

I have Pocket Wizards for all the flashes and clamps so I can hang my strobes for events, sports or whatever.

Something that sportshooter.com taught me. Carry a long bit of lamp cord and special insulation peircing sync wire taps. That is a cheap way to sync all your strobes long distance if you can't swing pocket wizards but you need to keep you slaves from firing off other strobes. Its also cheap insurance incase your strobes have trouble slaving off other strobes firing or your radios go phooey. :-D

01/10/2006 04:08:56 PM · #10

so whats a good size? looks like ima go with silver for now....

01/10/2006 09:43:43 PM · #11

I found this set, seems to be perfect, even comes with mounts for my hotshoe flashes.

//www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=395645&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

any comments on why i should or shouldnt get that?

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Canon

01/11/2006 04:38:23 PM · #12

Originally posted by hsteg:

anyone use thesse?

Tranquil

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

01/12/2006 06:51:44 AM · #13

Nope sry.