Shoot through umbrella vs Bounce?

What Robert said!

It's up to you to decide whether the sun will be your fill or your main light, and is decided purely on how much flash power you have. Obviously, with a diffusion panel in place (or a translucent umbrella), you will need less power to overpower the sun.

I hope that makes sense. It's 2am here, and I'm off to bed.

Shutterbug Doug wrote in post #5980643
just search for convertible photo umbrella and such. Found these at B&H, they also have more listed as well.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Umbrella_Silve​r_and.html
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Convertible_Umb​rella.html

Is a 30" umbrella too big for a 430 or 580 ex?

MikeZip007 wrote in post #5983337
Is a 30" umbrella too big for a 430 or 580 ex?

Not at all. I use a 60" with my SB-800, which is very similar in power and to the 580EX and I have no problem with coverage or efficiency.

TMR Design wrote in post #5983440
Not at all. I use a 60" with my SB-800, which is very similar in power and to the 580EX and I have no problem with coverage or efficiency.

Hmm... interesting. OK.... then I'll reverse my question: Is 30" too small?

MikeZip007 wrote in post #5983746
Hmm... interesting. OK.... then I'll reverse my question: Is 30" too small?

Not at all.

Those types of questions are always followed with "it depends on what you're shooting".

For single subject head shots, head and shoulder shots, single small child, product work etc. you can certainly use a 30" umbrella with excellent results.

TMR Design wrote in post #5983806
Not at all.

Those types of questions are always followed with "it depends on what you're shooting".

For single subject head shots, head and shoulder shots, single small child, product work etc. you can certainly use a 30" umbrella with excellent results.

Ah, I see what you did there

To start out, I bought this set and it works great so far - stands, etc. 580II master with a 580 and 430 bouncing out of the umbrella.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Flash_Umbrella_​Mount.html

Zack Arias has great blog. This link is to an entry about Shoot through 'brella' and Softbox however in the example image you can see the difference of through v. bounce.

Zack 'onelight' Arias

mlav wrote in post #5984027
To start out, I bought this set and it works great so far - stands, etc. 580II master with a 580 and 430 bouncing out of the umbrella.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Flash_Umbrella_​Mount.html

It says "backing can be removed halfway..." Does that mean it only comes off half way or will it come completely off?

Photogenic Eclipse umbrellas have removable backing. I think I got 48" or 60" for under $40

MikeZip007 wrote in post #5986212
It says "backing can be removed halfway..." Does that mean it only comes off half way or will it come completely off?

It comes off completely. They mention that you can only remove it half-way in case you want to flag it.

Rudi wrote in post #5986429
It comes off completely. They mention that you can only remove it half-way in case you want to flag it.

http://www.amazon.com …B0001903HK/ref=​pd_sbs_p_1

"Removal Black cover with silver lining" this is a 3in1 right (bounce with silver, bounce with white and shoot through) right?

MikeZip007 wrote in post #5987849
http://www.amazon.com …B0001903HK/ref=​pd_sbs_p_1

"Removal Black cover with silver lining" this is a 3in1 right (bounce with silver, bounce with white and shoot through) right?

I won 2 of those in the 60" version. It has a white translucent lining with a removable black backing. You can use it as a bounce, a shoot through or shoot through with a cutter but pulling the back half way back. Any umbrella with a removable backing can be used this way. It doesn't have to list that as a feature. Obviously a silver interior can't be used as a shoot through so depending on the application you may find one to be better for your needs.

Isn't the silver lining on the black cover so that when you put the cover on, it's used as a silver bounce?

Hi Mike,

Not all umbrellas are constructed the same way. Some of the more efficient, better designed silver umbrellas do have silver on the interior of the black backing. Off hand I don't know the make and model of those umbrellas. Most umbrellas with a black removable backing just use a thin black nylon and yes, when there is no silver lining and the umbrella's lining is white, then some light is wasted as it passes through the white material and is absorbed by the black backing as opposed to passing through the white material and hitting the silver interior of the backing, and then some light is returned through the white material.

How much different is it in terms of efficiency? I don't know but I don't think it's anything to be concerned about unless your flash is of very low power and then you probably have more problems that the lining of your umbrella