What Umbrella Size

[martinsmith]

I'm thinking about getting a silver brolly for some outdoor shoots.

Is it better to get a smaller 33" brolly so that it doesn't blow away, or are they not much more stable than the larger 40"s?

[TMR Design]

Hi Martin,

I would get the tools you need to do the job right, and then if it means using sandbags or heavy duty stands, so be it.

A small umbrella (33" - 36") will do the job nicely for many things but without knowing what you'll be shooting it's hard to offer solid advice.

If I was to generically recommend an umbrella size it would be 43"- 45" and then you're covered for many things.

If you're doing larger shots, groups or full length portraiture you might want to look at 60" umbrellas or a more versatile device like a Photek Softlighter which is an umbrella-like softbox that can also be used as a bounce or shoot through umbrella.

[fi20100]

What strobe / strobes will you be using with the umbrella?

[martinsmith]

Thanks, I will be shooting single models and using a Speedlite. I have a pair of white shoot through/bounce umbrellas but have only used these indoors. With the lighter nights, I'm hoping to get some more outdoor location stuff done. One is at a beech which is why I was thinking smaller to prevent the thing vaninishing in the slightest breeze.

[TMR Design]

Honestly, without properly securing the gear, any size umbrella in a breeze is a kite waiting to take off. A smaller umbrella may catch a little less wind but that's not the best way to approach this.

The umbrellas you have now are fine. I don't see any reason to get new or smaller umbrellas. I think you should work with what you have and invest a little money in heavy duty light stands with a nice wide footprint and I highly recommend sandbags or weights to put over the leg braces or the tripod legs themselves. That will have more impact than swapping to a smaller size umbrella.

[breal101]

Robert said it well, in addition there is no substitute for a human to help secure an umbrella on the beach. Even then make sure the wind isn't blowing out to sea. You can't believe how a small breeze will twist the umbrella so it no longer points where you want it.

[martinsmith]

Ok, thanks Robert.

[pridash]

There are a number of threads on Strobist on how to weight down the stands. Some have found sandbags cumbersome and leaky, so other suggestions are provided.

http://www.flickr.com/search/groups/?w=71917374%40N00&q=light+stand+weight&m=discuss

[TMR Design]

Sandbags get messy if you put the sand right in the pockets. I don't do that and I don't use sand. I collected a bucket full of rocks and divided them up, put them in ziploc bags and then place them in the pockets. Works great. No leaks and you can easily adjust the weight as you need it.

Of course you can use anything that has weight to it and can be attached at the base or center of gravity. The sandbags are very nice because they are saddle bags and I place a bag over each of the 3 leg braces. Once I do that my stands aren't going anywhere. and there's peace of mind in that.

It's just not any fun watching and worrying about your light stand toppling over. Makeshift methods may come back and bite you in the arse if they're not done well.

[jrsforums]

The best idea I saw posted was to go to a sporting goods store and get 5, 10, or 20 lb. ankle weights. Small size to weight and easy to attach to stand or legs.

Edit..found it..to give credit where it is due: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=499557&highlight=spring+stand