Umbrella suggestions

[mikeg]

Hi,

I'd like to start taking portraits @ home or taking pics of objects.
So I'd like to buy 2 umbrellas from b&h. My setup will be a st-e2 transmitter, one 550 ex and one 420 ex.

What umbrellas would be good for that ?


Thanks a lot.


MikeG

[Spillerphoto]

I use a system simlar to the one you mentioned but with two 550 ex flashes, when I got the flashes I put a small size umbrella with it and it worked fine. The only problem I had was the plastic stands that come with the 550 to put on the stand had to be replaced with metal ones. the plastic thread lasted for two shoots until one of my 550 ex flashes fell off the stand.

[mikeg]

I'm thinking to buy this :


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh5.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist _html___238184___BOUEP32___REG___CatID=1325___SID= F51E22A8320

or that :

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh5.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist _html___42514___PHU30W___REG___CatID=1325___SID=F5 1E22A8320


Would that probably suit my needs ?

[DWard]

Mike,
I have the photoflex and they work well with my two 420EX and ST.

I also bought brackets and stands from B&H to complete the set up. The brackets have a shoe for the flash and a hole for the umbrella. They tilt as well.

David

[tonygamble]

>>the plastic thread lasted for two shoots until one of my 550 ex flashes fell off the stand.

[bluebomberx]

Buy this and you don't have to worry about it falling off. The flash mounts on top and the umbrella shaft goes through the hole below the flash.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh5.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist _html___42160___PHMCUSM___REG___CatID=0___SID=F51E AE26620

-Richie

[mikeg]

Thanks Richie, that's what I ordered as well ;-)

[justme_dc]

Not to confuse the subject but I have a bunch of these....
http://www.calumetphoto.com/syrinx/ctl?PAGE=Controller&ac.ui.pn=cat.CatItemDetail&ac.item.itemNo=AU3050&ac.cat.CatTree.detail=y&type=PRDINDEX
They are a covered rib design. They eliminate the spokes and ghost shadows you'll see in reflective surfaces when you shoot with regular umbrellas. I find them to be well worth the extra cash. They give a much cleaner look as well.


Good luck to you.

[Dan Honemann]

Hi justme_dc,

Could you please give the brand and description of the umbrella rigs you mention? The link you provide doesn't work for me.

Thanks,
Dan

[Dan Honemann]

Mike,

What stands and umbrellas did you get? I'm looking to create a similar set-up, hopefully on the cheap. Two 550-EX and an ST-E2 using a Canon 10D.

Thanks,
Dan

[justme_dc]

Hey Dan,
The Umbrellas are available at http://www.calumetphoto.com/
just search their site for umbrellas and look for the calumet brand name. They Come in several sizes. They are actually made by the company that makes Eclipse umbrellas. Look at the Elite Lighting kits or travelite kits and you'll some great pictures of the umbrellas in action.

Hope that helps.

[Dan Honemann]

Hi jd,

Thanks. I checked out the Calumet kits and they look terrific but beyond my budget. I'm looking to use my 550-EX flashes with an ST-E2 transmitter for a cheap portrait lighting solution. Looks like maybe I can get some Photoflex umbrellas and clamps along with cheap stands that will work well enough for me.

If anyone has any suggestions for the best umbrellas and stands for the buck, I'm all ears.

Many thanks,
Dan

[justme_dc]

Dan,

Those Umbrellas are available seperate from the light kits. I have used them with both studio strobes and EZ and EX series Flashes with great results. I had umbrellas with the exposed ribs and I wasn't satisfied with the look I was gettin which is why I switched over to the ribless design.

The brackets mentioned in the above post are really great with the 550 EX.

[lziering]

I use an umbrella by Photek that includes a diffusion cover that turns the umbrella into a softbox. I mainly use it this way and it gives very good results.