60 inch Umbrella Confusion?

I am doing my research into purchasing two umbrellas for use with my 580EXII and 480EX (also have a couple of cheapy ebay manual flashes).

Having watched the OneLight Workshop DVD Zack suggests going with the larger 60 inch. Researching various posts on this forum as well as other forums the opinion is the 580 may not even be powerful enough to completely fill the 50 inch umbrella in certain situations.

Therefore my theory of going for the 60 (largest light source - softest light) against say the 45 inch may be flawed, taking into account I only have 8' ceilings and I wish to use outdoors as well (60 may not be as stable).

So I would like to hear some opinions here. I'm thinking maybe one 45 & one 60 inch. However in Australia a 60 inch seems to be quite a bit more expensive as not all stores stock this size.

Also what size light stands (for stability) would you recommend for 45inch and 60 inch umbrellas?

Getting too big of an umbrella is better than too small - you can always make the umbrella "smaller" by using a higher zoom setting or moving the umbrella closer to the flash.

I'm pretty sure a 580 can fill a 60" - the issue is if there is much light left over afterwards. I've never used a 60" with a speedlight, so I can't tell you about that.

For light stands, you want a wide footprint. Problem is that they don't all list this in the specifications, so just buy one that suits your portability and functionality needs, and throw on weights when you're outdoors. Or you could buy heavy-duty light stands if you don't need portability, but then you woudn't be using speedlights...

Scott, thanks so much for the shot of your setup. Good to see it is fine for inside.

Just wondering whether the 580 will have enough power outside. Unfortunately here in the tropics the sun is very harsh, although I have enough flashes that I could get a bracket to hold 2-3.

I'm wondering whether there is much difference in the stability outside between the 45 and 60 inch? Naturally I will be using sandbags in this situation.

I have a 60" Photek Softlighter II, this light stand, and have used it with a 580EX. I used it with full power, the Softlighter being 6-7 ft from the subject, in a studio setting. It turned out that it's not very bright. But fortunately I was using it as a fill light and therefore it's OK. Yet I should admit that I used the diffuser. I haven't tried it without the diffuser. Probably that could be enough even as a main light.

toxic wrote in post #9579748
Getting too big of an umbrella is better than too small - you can always make the umbrella "smaller" by using a higher zoom setting or moving the umbrella closer to the flash.

I'm pretty sure a 580 can fill a 60" - the issue is if there is much light left over afterwards. I've never used a 60" with a speedlight, so I can't tell you about that.

For light stands, you want a wide footprint. Problem is that they don't all list this in the specifications, so just buy one that suits your portability and functionality needs, and throw on weights when you're outdoors. Or you could buy heavy-duty light stands if you don't need portability, but then you woudn't be using speedlights...

Do you have any recommendations for light stands with a wide footprint suitable for use inside and outside - often at the beach? The beach is a 2 minute walk away so will need to be reasonably portable.

colormaniac wrote in post #9579860
I have a 60" Photek Softlighter II, this light stand, and have used it with a 580EX. I used it with full power, the Softlighter being 6-7 ft from the subject, in a studio setting. It turned out that it's not very bright. But fortunately I was using it as a fill light and therefore it's OK. Yet I should admit that I used the diffuser. I haven't tried it without the diffuser. Probably that could be enough even as a main light.

I have heard lots of great reports about the Softlighter, however I am after something a bit more flexible. I will be going for a umbrella that has a removable cover so I can use it as both a shoot-thru and a reflective. I have a 24 inch Ezybox (ebay subsitute) but I like to leave this up as I always spend too long fumbling around getting it together. I'm after something that I can leave in the boot of the car.

colormaniac wrote in post #9579860
I have a 60" Photek Softlighter II, this light stand, and have used it with a 580EX. I used it with full power, the Softlighter being 6-7 ft from the subject, in a studio setting. It turned out that it's not very bright. But fortunately I was using it as a fill light and therefore it's OK. Yet I should admit that I used the diffuser. I haven't tried it without the diffuser. Probably that could be enough even as a main light.

Thanks for that info... I just bought the Photek Softlighter II and am looking for a stand and clamps.

My 430EXII fills up a 45in umbrella fine so I imagine a 580EXII will have no problem with a 60". Keep in mind larger umbrellas catch wind easily, get some sandbags to weigh your light stand down.

Here is a shot out side using the umbrella setup on uneven ground.
Both images shot at the same setting on the camera, but the first image I had the flash 1/2 power and changed it to 1/16 power.

Unless your trying to kill the sun the 580exII will work just fine. I don't use a diffuser on my flash, all that does is kill 1 stop of power and makes your flash work harder.

I like the Manfrotto 1052 light stand. Light and very robust.

sunnygirl wrote in post #9579905
I have heard lots of great reports about the Softlighter, however I am after something a bit more flexible. I will be going for a umbrella that has a removable cover so I can use it as both a shoot-thru and a reflective. I have a 24 inch Ezybox (ebay subsitute) but I like to leave this up as I always spend too long fumbling around getting it together. I'm after something that I can leave in the boot of the car.

The Softlighter does have a removable cover so that it becomes a shoot-thru.

Maureen Souza wrote in post #9579910
Thanks for that info... I just bought the Photek Softlighter II and am looking for a stand and clamps.

You are welcome! Oh, I've forgotten to comment on the stand. In a studio situation, the stand that I use is completely fine. In an outdoor situation, all I know is that even the same stand with a 22" umbrella (without any sandbags) can been blown off in a day that people don't call it windy.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, it is most appreciated.

sunnygirl wrote in post #9579882
Do you have any recommendations for light stands with a wide footprint suitable for use inside and outside - often at the beach? The beach is a 2 minute walk away so will need to be reasonably portable.

I don't have any, sorry. I actually just use a relatively cheap light stand for my speedlight, and I just throw on weights when I need extra stability. You will need some sort of weight when you go outdoors either way, to keep a softbox or umbrella from tipping everything over when there's a breeze.

In general, though, taller light stands are built to be more stable than shorter ones (at the same height). Or you can stick with well-known brands, like Manfrotto or Giottos.