Who Is Using the Larson Enterprises Reflectasol 42" x 72" Super Silver?

I've been using a Photoflex 41" x 74" collapsible LiteDisc for full length portraiture but I want to get away from collapsible reflectors and get something that is free standing and has its own base or legs, eliminating the need for a light stand and grip or arm to mount and hold the reflector.

This reflector is for studio use only so I'm not concerned about a frame or its strength (I actually prefer little to no frame) and don't need to think about how it's going to hold up in wind.

I like the rectangular shape rather than oval and would like the reflector to rest on the floor.

I've done a lot of research and I've also gotten to work with a few other brands. The aluminum frame of the California Sunbounce is cool and the design is clever but those reflectors are intended for grip or an assistant to be holding them and for studio use there's a lot of wasted real estate in those frames that is not occupied with reflective material.

I've also considered the Lastoilite Skylite's and those too seem better suited for location use where strength and durability are important.

The Photoflex and Calumet seem very similar and not really to my liking. The Chimera is also very nice but I don't care for the elastic corners and the method of attaching the material to the frame. Westcott Scrim Jim doesn't excite me either.

SO..... I've always heard a lot about Larson Enterprises and their products, and the Reflectasol's in particular. I've also seen them in use and like the simplicity and the fact that it stands on its own.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way.. let's talk about the Larson Enterprises 42" x 72" Super Silver Reflectasol.

Who's using it? What is your experience with it?

TMR Design wrote in post #13492511
I've been using a Photoflex 41" x 74" collapsible LiteDisc for full length portraiture but I want to get away from collapsible reflectors and get something that is free standing and has its own base or legs, eliminating the need for a light stand and grip or arm to mount and hold the reflector.

This reflector is for studio use only so I'm not concerned about a frame or its strength (I actually prefer little to no frame) and don't need to think about how it's going to hold up in wind.

I like the rectangular shape rather than oval and would like the reflector to rest on the floor.

I've done a lot of research and I've also gotten to work with a few other brands. The aluminum frame of the California Sunbounce is cool and the design is clever but those reflectors are intended for grip or an assistant to be holding them and for studio use there's a lot of wasted real estate in those frames that is not occupied with reflective material.

I've also considered the Lastoilite Skylite's and those too seem better suited for location use where strength and durability are important.

The Photoflex and Calumet seem very similar and not really to my liking. The Chimera is also very nice but I don't care for the elastic corners and the method of attaching the material to the frame. Westcott Scrim Jim doesn't excite me either.

SO..... I've always heard a lot about Larson Enterprises and their products, and the Reflectasol's in particular. I've also seen them in use and like the simplicity and the fact that it stands on its own.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way.. let's talk about the Larson Enterprises 42" x 72" Super Silver Reflectasol.

Who's using it? What is your experience with it?

I don't own the 42" x 72" Reflectasol, Rob, but I've owned a 42" x 42" for many years and also have a small Larson Reflectasol Hex. The 42" x 42" has been a fantastic workhorse. The frame is cleverly designed and a pleasure to work with. It opens like an umbrella and can, in fact, be used as an umbrella. My 42" x 42" came with flash mounting hardware and a tilt bracket that clamps to a light stand.

Anyway, the clever part is that the central shaft (same on the larger 42" x 72") is articulated and can be tilted downward to act as a support for the reflector. Here's a close look:

Than you VERY much Dave. I wasn't sure if you owned any Larson products, although I should have suspected.

The information you've given me is what I was hoping to hear and the images absolutely help. It's almost impossible to find any good product shots of Larson items.

Does the 'kickstand' in the back adjust in height to change the angle or do you extend it further to change the angle?

TMR Design wrote in post #13493222
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Does the 'kickstand' in the back adjust in height to change the angle or do you extend it further to change the angle?

The "kickstand", as you call it, is a solid metal shaft, Rob. It is not adjustable for length. However, all is not lost. The angle of the reflector can be varied from almost perpendicular to a usefully raked back position:

Thanks again, Dave. That's what I thought. So, if the floor space available doesn't allow for the kickstand (that's just what I'm going to call it, lol) to be pulled out, then the angle can be limited.

From what you've said and shown the solution for that would be to mount it to a grip head and use an A5017 for a small footprint.

TMR Design wrote in post #13493381
Thanks again, Dave. That's what I thought. So, if the floor space available doesn't allow for the kickstand (that's just what I'm going to call it, lol) to be pulled out, then the angle can be limited.

From what you've said and shown the solution for that would be to mount it to a grip head and use an A5017 for a small footprint.

When I use mine, it's pretty much always on an A5017 but then my 42" x 42" Reflectasol benefits greatly from the height adjustment afforded by stand mounting.

Dave F.

Cool. I'll do a little more digging and then make a decision.

Always wanted to buy this stuff. What I heard from Chuck Gardner was that this thing easily lasts 20+ years without any problems.

Is the shaft fixed in the portrait orientation, or can it be rotated 90 degrees to allow the reflector to sit on the long edge for landscape orientation?

mmishkin wrote in post #13807285
Is the shaft fixed in the portrait orientation, or can it be rotated 90 degrees to allow the reflector to sit on the long edge for landscape orientation?

There is a 2-way version of the 42" x 72" frame that allows portrait and landscape orientation of the panel:

http://larson-ent.com …997__WAY_X_FRAM​E_ONLY.htm

Dave F.