need advice on what type umbrella to buy

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/12/2008 09:54:21 PM · #1

I went to my local camera store today to buy an umbrella and stand to use with my SB600 flash and discovered I don�t know enough to decide what to buy and the guy at the store wasn�t much help either so I was wondering if anyone here has some experience with umbrellas and flashes could give some advice...

First the stand, they have 2 one light weight one that�s about 6.5 ft tall and one that�s much heaver with a wide base that is 9ft tall. (I am thinking the tall one because it looks much more stable) any ideas here?

Second size, they have one 30 in and a 45 in... Being an old country boy I always think bigger is better, but can the sb600 fill the 45 inch umbrella and if not will that hurt me?

Third type, they have one that is thin white material that he said was shot though to create a soft box effect, and they one that is silver inside and one that is gold inside. Any ideas on which type would be best for me. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

09/12/2008 09:58:30 PM · #2

The larger stands are more stable, yes. The small ones I have pretty much collect dust.

Can you only swing one umbrella right now?

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/12/2008 10:01:12 PM · #3

only one now, hope to add another one in a couple months

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

09/12/2008 10:06:35 PM · #4

It's a tough call. The shoot-through is nice but the light is not soft like a softbox (at all). It's not as contrasty as the reflectives are though. It really depends what you think you'll be doing with it I guess. I find myself rarely using my shoot-through's, but that's just me.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/12/2008 10:11:51 PM · #5

I hope to use it most for taking shots of people and maybe some still life shots

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

09/12/2008 10:15:08 PM · #6

Probably be better off with one of the large silver lined then. Maybe someone else will chime in.

CindyG

Nikon D700

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

09/12/2008 10:15:38 PM · #7

I found this article - Julia Greer Article to be a good starting point in helping me decide what to get. I ended up getting a 60" Photek Softliter II umbrella and an 8 foot stand. There are two things I don't like about the umbrella - the round catchlights (I would prefer rectangular ones) and it can be almost too big in small rooms. The light stand is a good height for me, but I wish I had something a little more sturdier though.

Depending on your setup, you may need a reflector too.

09/12/2008 10:38:59 PM · #8

thanks CindyG thats a great article, it gives me some good ideas

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

09/13/2008 08:56:17 AM · #9

bump

Dirt_Diver

Nikon D3s

09/13/2008 09:08:37 AM · #10

Here is what I use.

Link

Dirt_Diver

Nikon D3s

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

09/13/2008 09:12:06 AM · #11

Here is what I want

Link