Product Description Umbrellas allow for a quick and easy set-up. Black cover creates a soft silver interior as a bounce source. Remove the black cover and it can be positioned close to the subject for a shoot-through diffuser. Collapsible for on-location jobs.
Great idea - Quality just OKJune 18, 2010 rj Theoretically the ideal portable light modifier - extremely small and lightweight with two options to use. As other reviews pointed out, it's unfortunately not perfect, although not as terrible as some people said here.
1. With my version the black cover is quite easy to remove. However, it is not as easy to put it back on, because the little metal caps attached to the black cover don't really like to hang out on top of the spokes unless they are held there by some tension. Perfect for meditation - but in a hurry you will hate it.
2. Used as white shoot-through, the spokes show their unpolished metal end. If you are shooting at a busy place, you can basically forget to use it without covering the spokes, because someone will certainly lose an eye. As bounce umbrella with black cover you don't have that problem, but see 1.
3. Downside of the lightweight built is a hollow hexagonal shaft that is not very sturdy and will probably break if challenged. If you can control the conditions and use it mainly indoors, this is probably not an issue. A pencil in the inside can give extra stability.
4. If you get it to work, the results are great. You can bring a small backpack of equipment and have a big professional light source.
In summary, despite quality issues it is possible to use it for what it is intended. But if you can carry more umbrellas, larger umbrellas or are OK with shoot through or bounce umbrellas only, other umbrellas are probably a better choice.
The Strobist UmbrellaMarch 17, 2010 Algernon Ong(Manila, Philippines) 3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is ideal for traveling. Lightweight, small and versatile. Contrary to some people say, the black cover isn't hard to take off or put on. Don't fully extend the umbrella when taking off the black cover and when putting it back on, the umbrella should be fully opened and make sure the screw on top is slighty loose when attaching the pins. It is however a little combersome to fold the umbrella with the back cover on as it easily comes off. The solution is just to store the back cover separately. As for the hollow shaft, put a small piece of pencil into it for durability-a tip by the Strobist himself. I hope this helps.
does what you expect it to, just not very sturdyJuly 28, 2009 Todd Eddy(Streetsboro, OH USA) 3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I bought this assuming I was going to use shoot through more than bouncing it as it gives the illusion of a bigger softbox and you don't have to set the flash as high. With that scenario this umbrella works fine.
I didn't find it difficult to remove the black cover. Just don't fully extend the umbrella and it's easy to unhook the cover. Putting it back on is another story. Once you get the center screw in it gets really frustrating to get the pins to stick in each of the spokes. It would have been better if they snapped in so they didn't fall out when putting it on or when collapsing the umbrella for storage. I have yet to figure out the trick to get the umbrella with the cover to collapse and stay on umbrella while getting it slim enough to fit in case. The black cover is just sitting in a box now. Without the cover it's a little easier to get in the case and now it's bungeed to the portable light stand. very compact. And it's nice that if I ever do need a bounch umbrella I'll have it. Judging on the trouble it takes for me to get the cover on I'll probably never use it though.
The pole is indeed rather flimsy. When attaching to swivel mount tighten it just enough so it doesn't slide. Any more and you're likely to punch a hole through it.
Am I happy with it? sure. Would I buy another one? probably not. The cover just isn't worth the hassle. Shoot through should work for pretty much anything.
Also I've read on some other umbrellas that adorama puts their logo on the shoot through umbrella. I'm happy to say that's not the case here. Only logo is the westcott and it's on the cover that won't bleed into the image.
AWFUL!February 28, 2009 Christopher Hacker(Washingon, DC) 3 out of 4 found this review helpful
The reversable black hood is impossible to get off. And the aluminum is so cheaply made that with the effort it takes to wrangle off the hood, you end up damaging the frail aluminum frame. They suck. Period.
Good but not greatFebruary 16, 2009 Maxell32 4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This product is good for the price, weight, and size but there are a few drawbacks when it comes to durability. For one the shaft can be bent very easily when tightening it on to the stand. Also the removable back really does not like to go back on securely.
Westcott 2011 43" Optical White Satin with Removable Black Cover-Collapsible
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