how big of a reflector do I need?

I was going to get a 5-in-1 Reflector for indoor and outdoor portrait photography. I wasn't sure if i should get the 32" of the 40" set. Is bigger better when it comes to reflectors?

Awe where are the experts to chime in to help out answer this question?
Sad to see that 65 people looked and nobody responded!

Well it's pretty straightforward. Bigger is usually better. But you also mentioned using indoors. If you use indoors will 40" make or break that usage? If not, i say go with the 40. It's only 8 inches, but it may be the difference between lighting 1 face and 2 faces on any given job.

Bigger the better - more versatile!

As cheap as it is, pick up some large sheets of white ( and black ) foamcore. Do the "stick in a can" ( a broomstick or 1x2 in a paint can with concrete) routine for your indoor setup. As for the foldable reflectors, I have them from 12" round up to 36" x 72"....and they all get used at various times.

Bigger is better. The reflectors of anywhere near 36-40 inches in diameter are really suited for head-and-shoulders shots. Look at the much larger reflectors--36x72 and larger for full length work.

I've been a big Reflectasol fan for over twenty years--they fold more compactly than any of the twist-o-flex reflectors without presto-chango magic tricks, they stay perfectly flat, they last forever (I've got a couple that are twenty years old), the fabric is both dry-cleanable and interchangeable, and any halfway decent seamstress can make more fabrics. But they are pretty pricey in the large sizes (although you can often score a used one at a good price on eBay...I said they last forever).

But a close second are these new reflectors from Interfit. They don't erect as quickly as the Reflectsols, but they share all the other characteristics. I've got two of them, and I use them constantly. B&H has them in silver and gold, Adorama has them in silver and white:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Panel_Reflector​_with.html
http://www.adorama.com …=interfit+panel​+reflector

queenchatty, thanks for picking up this thread and getting everyone to chime in. i'll go with the larger 5-in-1 reflector and keep the foamboard in mind. i just have a make shift home studio for pictures of the kids and family, so folding up neatly for storage is important. rdkirk, the reflectasols look great. i'll file that info away for future use. thanks for the input.

That's certainly one of the advantages of white foamcore: it stores away easily, and when it gets ratty, give it to the little ones with some colored markers and let them create some art !

good point george. and my do the little ones like to color.

No problem Apollo. I just hate it when I see a large amount of people read a thread and not bother to reply.
I am interested in setting up a small studio and wanted to see what our more experienced members would have to contribute to your question.
Sooooooooooo a big thank you to all that replied. I appreciate the time every one took to respond.

...here's a cool little vid to look at,proving you don't need a lot of high dollar stuff to do well:

http://www.prophotolif​e.com …udio-product-photography/

George Thanks a bunch for that link. Awesome information!
I have book marked it LOL one can never have enough sites to refer to.
Next DIY project "Stick In A Can"

george m w wrote in post #8893893
That's certainly one of the advantages of white foamcore: it stores away easily, and when it gets ratty, give it to the little ones with some colored markers and let them create some art !

Stores away easily, not as easy as a collapsible. I have both from 2x3' foam core to 8'x16' foam core and 14" to 8'x8' collapsible. Foam core just seems to get in the way in the studio where sapce is limited and damages easily. I can throw my collapsilbes without worrying and they travel great. I would only suggest foam core if on an extreme budget or if you were going to make large bookend reflectors out of 4'x8' which I think everyone with a studio should have a pair of. Then they are also a great light lodifier not just a reflector.

I would get something like calumet 4x8 panel, assuming you have some assistant to hold it.

http://www.calumetphot​o.com/item/RM7232/
http://www.calumetphot​o.com/item/RM7262/
http://www.calumetphot​o.com/item/RM7370/

Another option, the skylite

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ite_Kit_Silver_​White.html

If money not an issue, look at CA sunbounce.

QueenChatty wrote in post #8894317
I just hate it when I see a large amount of people read a thread and not bother to reply.

In many cases (probably most cases) it could be that those looking don't know the answer either and are looking to see if one of our more knowledgeable members have answered the question