Lasolite All-in-one umbrella

Is anyone using one of these? Any opinions?

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …rella_All_In_On​e_40_.html

I'm trying to put together my first off-camera flash setup, and I'm torn between getting one of these, or just getting separate shoot-through and bounce umbrellas.

I thinking of pairing these with a Manfrotto Nano 5001 stand, and a LumoPro LP632 Umbrella adapter.

That seems like expensive umbrella to me. For the money why not get something Photek softlighter.

Any regular umbrella ($20 or so) which can be used as bounce as well as shoot through should work for you isn't it?

I have to disagree here. I have several Lastolite umbrellas, and they make very high quality stuff. Considering you are getting four different umbrellas in one, I reckon this is quite a good deal...

BluewookieJim wrote in post #7698742
Is anyone using one of these? Any opinions?

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …rella_All_In_On​e_40_.html

I'm trying to put together my first off-camera flash setup, and I'm torn between getting one of these, or just getting separate shoot-through and bounce umbrellas.

I thinking of pairing these with a Manfrotto Nano 5001 stand, and a LumoPro LP632 Umbrella adapter.

Be VERY careful with those Nano stands with umbrellas. I know that David Hobby is all gung ho on them and they are good 'strobist' stands they will fall or sail away very easily. The foot print is not wide and they are extremely lightweight.

I understand the desire for compact and lightweight but you're placing a few hundred dollars worth of valuable gear on top of it, so you may want to rethink the light stands. Just my opinion.

TMR Design wrote in post #7702016
Be VERY careful with those Nano stands with umbrellas. I know that David Hobby is all gung ho on them and they are good 'strobist' stands they will fall or sail away very easily. The foot print is not wide and they are extremely lightweight.

I understand the desire for compact and lightweight but you're placing a few hundred dollars worth of valuable gear on top of it, so you may want to rethink the light stands. Just my opinion.

Yep. I had two of them (and they are great stands within their limitations), but have since sold one and only keep one, for those times when I absolutely positively have to travel light.

TMR Design wrote in post #7702016
Be VERY careful with those Nano stands with umbrellas. I know that David Hobby is all gung ho on them and they are good 'strobist' stands they will fall or sail away very easily. The foot print is not wide and they are extremely lightweight.

I understand the desire for compact and lightweight but you're placing a few hundred dollars worth of valuable gear on top of it, so you may want to rethink the light stands. Just my opinion.

+1. I use Nanos but have to weight them down with sandbags and the light if I'm going to use them outside anywhere because the slightest breeze will have your 580+brolly etc. plunging to the ground. Not so happy Jan. Great stands, just gotta be careful.

I can imagine any umbrella outside is asking for trouble if the wind picks up, even on a heavier stand without a sand bag. of course if it's windy, it can just trash an umbrella anyway. I live where it rains a lot, so an umbrella is something I use quite a lot and seldom get through a whole year with just one, they are supposedly built for the weather but get the wind under them and they bust up pretty easily.

A Nano stand cannot take much weight, especially when the weight is out front like with a softbox, it's possible you could bend the top riser or yes if a breeze comes up, just mess up everything.

I've got some heavier Manfrotto stands and one Avenger that's quite a bit nicer and heavier than all of them but I wanted to try the strobist thing where I might othewise try to get away with no lights by carrying two of the Nano stands, I'd like to improve some of that if possible. If I have to, I'll only use them indoors and keep one heavy stand and sand bag in the trunk of the car all the time.

I'm certainly open to suggestion here.

The only things I currently have are a 580exII, a stofen diffuser, Cactus v4 1 transmitter, 2 receivers, and a fundamental understanding of how to use my flash fully manual. I am planning on adding a second all manual speedlite, either a Canon 540ez or a new LumoPro 120.

I short on actual experience and equipment here so I am open to other suggestions.

I think I want to start with a small portable setup, and then when I do expand to a second light get something that can be used overhead, handle a 60" umbrella, or some of the other larger light modifiers.