Umbrellas Picks for 430EX Flash - General Knowledge Requested

Looking at purchasing an Umbrella for use with a 430EX flash - Portraits.
Hope to get some feedback on a couple of questions.
I am looking at something similar to a Adorama or Photoflex Umbrellas.
I see Adorama has 33" and 40" umbrellas with only a $1.00 cost difference.

-First Question - What are the pros and cons of using a 40" rather than a 30" Umbrella with a 430EX?
-Second Question - Can a 430EX be used with a Shoot Through Umbrella?
-Third Question - The Photoflex can convert from Circular to Square. Is this a benefit?

If the 40" has any benefit I figure it would also be beneficial if I purchase more powerful strobes.

I was looking at the following Umbrellas
-Adorams White removable Black cover http://www.adorama.com​/LTU40BC.html
-Adorama Gold http://www.adorama.com​/LTU40G.html
-Photoflex (circular, square) http://www.adorama.com​/PFADW45.html

Thanks in advance for your input.

1st. You can use whatever you want, I use my alien bee umbrellas and ive used up to 60" brolly. I think the 40-48 inch is the best size for the speedlights.

2nd. You can use it as a shoot through, but you have a huge loss in light.

3rd. I think this is totally prefrence.

1) I use a couple of 42" umbrellas with flash units. The bigger the umbrella, the softer the light. But if you're dealing with 8 ft. ceilings, anything bigger than about 42" will prevent you from getting the light source as high as most people want for portraits. The 42" umbrellas fold to about the same length as my lightstands, which makes it convenient for packing and carrying.

2) Silver reflective umbrellas are generally preferred over shoot-through when you're using small flash units because of their greater efficiency. You'll want all the light you can get.

3) Square umbrellas create square catchlights, which are seen as more "natural looking". We are accustomed to seeing square or rectangular catchlights from windows.

Thanks for the feedback gentlemen. I appreciate it greatly.

Curtis N wrote in post #2485905
...
2) Silver reflective umbrellas are generally preferred over shoot-through when you're using small flash units because of their greater efficiency. You'll want all the light you can get. ...

How significant is the difference in efficiency between a Silver and White umbrella? I would imagine slight as I would assume the White would be slightly softer.

I understand the Adorama black removable cover on the umbrella above to have a reflective back which should help in reflecting light back.

I expect I would be fine with a White Umbrella and a 430EX flash. If someone thinks different please speak up.

as a side question, how do you attach the umbrella to the flashgun?

pcDigiMan wrote in post #2494727
How significant is the difference in efficiency between a Silver and White umbrella? I would imagine slight as I would assume the White would be slightly softer. I understand the Adorama black removable cover on the umbrella above to have a reflective back which should help in reflecting light back.

I don't have any white umbrellas so can't give you a quantitative answer.

On the Alienbees website, they list specifications for their various units using silver and shoot-through umbrellas. Generally the difference is about one stop. They do not list specs for white umbrellas with silver covers.

ffureel wrote in post #2494796
as a side question, how do you attach the umbrella to the flashgun?

You need something like this.

Curtis N wrote in post #2494959
You need something like this.

Hum, Adorama has the same item under the Adorama name for $2.00 more http://www.adorama.com​/LTUSH.html

pcDigiMan wrote in post #2496584
Hum, Adorama has the same item under the Adorama name for $2.00 more http://www.adorama.com​/LTUSH.html

Yeah I noticed the same thing under more than one brand name at B&H too. Pays to shop around, I guess.

I asked a question above regarding umbrella efficiency.
Well you may find this link interesting describing the efficiency of a 1)shoot-through,2) white and blackcover and 3)white with a laminated black cover.
http://www.photoflexli​ghtingschool.com …with_Umbrellas/​index.html

Do you have all the stuff you'll need to fire your flash and stuff? If not, send me an email at alain.amphoto@gmail.co​m. I just went crazy trying to put together this setup myself so I can tell you exactly what you need.

I use the Westcott double fold umbrella. Packs very small and neat. The one recommended on http://www.strobist.co​m

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pcDigiMan wrote in post #2511235
I asked a question above regarding umbrella efficiency. Well you may find this link interesting describing the efficiency of a 1)shoot-through,2) white and blackcover and 3)white with a laminated black cover. http://www.photoflexli​ghtingschool.com …with_Umbrellas/​index.html

Bob, thanks for posting that link. I finally got around to reading it. It was interesting, and confusing, and in my opinion used poor experimental technique to explain a rather simple concept in a complicated way.

They use a light meter to measure the light leaking through the umbrella, but don't bother to use it at the same distance from the umbrella as the measurements of the reflected light. This method also makes no account for the extent to which the light is scattered (diffused) by the umbrella.

I think it's fairly easy to under stand that a translucent umbrella is inherently inefficient. Some of the light goes through, some of the light gets bounced back. So no matter how you use it, you're wasting some of the light. It should be no surprise that a more opaque white umbrella will reflect more light and require less power.

What's counterintuitive to me is why they would manufacture an umbrella cover that's black on the inside. We know that black absorbs light and converts it to heat. On the other hand, an umbrella cover with a reflective (silver) surface on the inside will reflect light back through the translucent material where it can do some good.

Again, thanks for posting the link. Unfortunately, I don't feel any smarter after reading it.

ffureel wrote in post #2494796
as a side question, how do you attach the umbrella to the flashgun?

in addition to the bracket Curtis linked to, these are pretty cool:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …EG&addedTroughT​ype=search

B&H never seems to have them in stock, but you can order them directly from The Morris Company (for $10 more...dangit!) Still, using two flash units in one umbrella is nice and this little job from Morris is much cheaper than the one Denis Reggie sells. (I do like the umbrella mount on his better though)

I've used my flashes with both white and silver umbrellas. I just ordered a square umbrella and can't wait to try it. I prefer the specular light from the silver umbrellas...it just looks nicer and as Curtis said, the silver umbrellas are more efficient.