umbrella + stand

Hi all,

Thinking about getting a couple of umbrellas and a nice stand/s from amazon (or another reputable EU site). I am planning on a 43" shoot through and another reflector the same size. This will be my first modifiers, so I don't want to go the most expensive way, but I have learnt from the past that I need to get good quality products from the beginning. Any suggestions? I am planning on using speedlites (YN685) on them for light.

Thanks!

Heya,

Have you considered brolly boxes? They're umbrella based soft boxes, so a reflective interior surface, with a softbox cover that velcros onto the surface. It's an umbrella at heart, so it opens up like one and transports like one. They're inexpensive and really give you better control over spill and have less of a hot spot compared to a shoot through umbrella. They don't cost much different either. I use them with strobes & speedlites, they're a "do all" modifier to me. Look for Godox or Neewer (smae thing) 47" brolly boxes, they're inexpensive and pretty good. I use my brolly boxes over my much more expensive EZ-Pro 48" Octa even (lighter weight, easier to use, easier to transport around, same good light).

Another good modifier to consider is a Photek Softlighter II, any size you wish, larger is more appropriate for a strobe, but indoors, a speedlite can still be used with it. Very nice soft light.

Also know that you can always double up and gang up your speedlites to get more out of them in large modifiers to get more spread, more output, etc.

As for stands, I would get a fairly sturdy boom stand. It's worth it in the long run. One thing I've never regretted in buying is a sturdy mount. Just remember it only stings once to buy it, so spend early on a good stand, and it's a good stand for all your lights. Don't go cheap on a stand holding expensive lights and modifiers.

Very best,

https://www.amazon.co.​uk …ds=boom+stand+p​hotography
https://www.amazon.co.​uk …-2&keywords=neewer+brol​ly

something like this?

Yessir, that brolly box is the one. They're great. Speedlite(s) or strobe shoots into the umbrella and the light spreads across the reflective surface and out onto the white cover surface for an even, soft light. It's big and you can put it close with a boom, making it very soft for single or couples.

Cannot comment on that stand, it's the right style of boom and the right device for controlling the boom arm (I think those are the best), but that stand itself doesn't look very heavy duty, and it doesn't seem to show any ratings for weight (not that they're accurate). But that is the right style of portable boom stand. Hard to recommend one since I don't know stores or anything in EU/UK. Otherwise, I'd put you on the Adorama Boom or Cheetah Boom for cost.

Very best,

MalVeauX wrote in post #18142760
Yessir, that brolly box is the one. They're great. Speedlite(s) or strobe shoots into the umbrella and the light spreads across the reflective surface and out onto the white cover surface for an even, soft light. It's big and you can put it close with a boom, making it very soft for single or couples.

Cannot comment on that stand, it's the right style of boom and the right device for controlling the boom arm (I think those are the best), but that stand itself doesn't look very heavy duty, and it doesn't seem to show any ratings for weight (not that they're accurate). But that is the right style of portable boom stand. Hard to recommend one since I don't know stores or anything in EU/UK. Otherwise, I'd put you on the Adorama Boom or Cheetah Boom for cost.

Very best,

https://www.amazon.co.​uk …rds=boom+stand+​heavy+duty
This says 5kg, would that be enough?

My suggestion for Umbrellas is Westcott. Quality stuff at a decent price.
You can spend more easily, but I don't see any reason to.

http://www.adorama.com​/weu45wb.html

You might also look at a kit like this...
http://www.adorama.com​/we43cufk.html
or this...
http://www.adorama.com​/weuwbp7k.html

Make sure you buy quality stands if you don't buy a kit.

On booms the PIVOT is extremely important. Personally I'd not buy a boom that was less than $200.

cubatahavana wrote in post #18142770
https://www.amazon.co.​uk …rds=boom+stand+​heavy+duty
This says 5kg, would that be enough?

Again, good looking boom design (that particular mechanism is what I recommend that controls the boom arm), but I can't be sure about the weight. It looks like aluminum & plastic which is fine, but it doesn't look particularly robust as I'd expect. As for the 5kg weight, that's probably in vertical mode. I doubt it can hold 5kg at the end of the boom, horizontally mounted, with the boom extended more than half way.

I use a Cheetah Boom (Adorama's Boom is the same thing I think?).

http://www.cheetahstan​d.com/Cheetah-Boom-p/cboom.htm

Maybe taking a look at that can help you find something similar; just pay attention to the build, joints, size, etc. It will make more sense. Notice they disclose the boom's weight capacity extended as 6lbs (~2.7kg). This is pretty accurate to me. I load it with speedlites and batteries and even my 6lb strobe and it handles it fine even extended. For the cost, I'd get another in a heart beat, it handles heavy stuff fine in the wind for me, and I torture it.

Here's some examples of this stand in use, and just how much weight is can take. This boom can hold the umbrella & speedlite + battery pack at full extension, horizontally. I counter balance with the sand bag (full of bottled water) and I use bungee stakes to steady it to the soil.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/uhA1​V4

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/AKa1​5q

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/GTkD​qt

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/J18b​Hr