how big of a reflector do I need?

George, thanks for the video. Thanks again everyone for all the input. Lots of good answers. I'm feeling a lot better about the thread.

I would go with the larger one. I have never felt as if my large 4-1 reflector was too big or that i needed a smaller one.

RDKirk wrote in post #8893180
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

I second these reflectors. Compact when stored and large when opened and ready for use. But they are mainly for indoors or outdoors on a very calm day.

'Bigger is better' is true. But the flash has to FILL the bigger reflector in order for it to provide benefit. To illustrate, if the flash can only fill a 30" area, it does no good to reflect it into a 48" umbrella rather than into a 36" umbrella.

Wilt wrote in post #8901431
'Bigger is better' is true. But the flash has to FILL the bigger reflector in order for it to provide benefit. To illustrate, if the flash can only fill a 30" area, it does no good to reflect it into a 48" umbrella rather than into a 36" umbrella.

How about the sun?
Reflectors are normally closer to the subject instead of the light source, so spread would easily fill a 42" reflector or larger depending on the setup.

As a lighting modifier you made a point, but there are still ways to bounce and get a huge light source. Although needing power, I used to double bounce to get large diffuse light sources before I got a softbox. Hence the 4'x'8' bookends.

TooManyHobbies wrote in post #8902550
How about the sun?
Reflectors are normally closer to the subject instead of the light source, so spread would easily fill a 42" reflector or larger depending on the setup.

As a lighting modifier you made a point, but there are still ways to bounce and get a huge light source. Although needing power, I used to double bounce to get large diffuse light sources before I got a softbox. Hence the 4'x'8' bookends.

You have brought up a different use of reflectors than I was commenting on. In purchasing an umbrella, it is necessary for the buyer to keep in mind whether or not the flash unit can fill the umbrella at the distance limitation imposed by the shaft length of the umbrella. One sees huge umbrella style light modifiers for studio lights, for example, but it takes a light with a removeable reflector to permit 'bare bulb' to fill that large modifier, but it would be pathetically uneven if a speedlight was used with its permanent lens. I deviated from the OP topic in commenting about umbrellas, yes. I know the 5-in-1 is not an umbrella, but I did want to simply address the question of 'size matters'. In the case of the 5-in-1 the filling can easily be addressed by moving it farther from the actual source, so the issue is moot.

I will point out than an issue for the 5-in-1 is its use outside with the silver or gold surface...blindingly bright and rapidly causing tears to come to the subject's eyes when the sun is reflected into their face!

Wilt wrote in post #8903438
You have brought up a different use of reflectors than I was commenting on.

I will point out than an issue for the 5-in-1 is its use outside with the silver or gold surface...blindingly bright and rapidly causing tears to come to the subject's eyes when the sun is reflected into their face!

I don't mean to be a last worder but...

I mentioned that because the poster did not specify use and you got down to specifics for a limited situation.

I've used silver and gold reflectors many times outside to light a person under cover in foliage during an overcast or partly sunny day without making them squint.. I think they have as many uses as the white or diffusion fabric. Depends on the light. White outside on an overcast day doesn't always do enough.