What brand of umbrella do YOU recommend?

[eleazarparadise]

I've only used a Westcott brand umbrella and I really like it until a small gust of wind blew it over and it bent up and now needs to be replaced. So I'm in the market for a tougher more durable umbrella. What do you recommend?

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by eleazarparadise

I've only used a Westcott brand umbrella and I really like it until a small gust of wind blew it over and it bent up and now needs to be replaced. So I'm in the market for a tougher more durable umbrella. What do you recommend?

A softbox or even beauty dish. No umbrella will take going over very well and they are all susceptible to wind

[GreggObst]

I like both the Westcott and Impact umbrellas. But I agree, no umbrella is going to take punishing wind very well. That's why they are so cheap. That having been said, I find the larger umbrellas do seem to be stiffer. For instance my 60" Westcott convertible is a lot stiffer than my 48" Westcott convertible.

If you really want something that will have the best chance of standing up to wind, again not a whole lot of wind but some, then look at a well made beauty dish and a quality C-Stand like an Avenger model. That setup seems to be able to fend off the wind a lot better. You have to bag down the stands pretty well, but that is true of anything that heavy.

[Btdown]

Originally Posted by GreggObst

...

If you really want something that will have the best chance of standing up to wind, again not a whole lot of wind but some, then look at a well made beauty dish and a quality C-Stand like an Avenger model. That setup seems to be able to fend off the wind a lot better. You have to bag down the stands pretty well, but that is true of anything that heavy.

Could you recommend a decent beauty dish(es)? As a beginner, not really sure what I should look for, or how big it should (or needs to be). I'm primarily a strobist but and looking what may be useful both in-studio and out.

thanks!

[GreggObst]

Originally Posted by Btdown

Could you recommend a decent beauty dish(es)? As a beginner, not really sure what I should look for, or how big it should (or needs to be). I'm primarily a strobist but and looking what may be useful both in-studio and out.

thanks!

Are you using speedlights or studio strobes ? There are some good options for both.

[Nakean]

Get a C-Stand!!!!! I know it sucks to spend about 180-210 on a stand but seriously these things are Sherman tanks! Throw a 20 pound Sandbag on that thing and now more sailing umbrella! I LOVE MY C-Stand!!! I read Umbrellas are actually made from...you guessed it....umbrella manufactures and then only slightly modified to fit our photography needs. The output is rarely perfectly symmetrical because of this reason. Find yourself a PLM which is as portable as an umbrella but has the light fall off of a beauty dish. They are generally huge so produce awesome soft light. Best part is if you put a white diffuser sock on it you have something comparable to a giant $2000 dollar softbox! WIN WIN!

Best of luck!

[bhursey]

I use impact brand from b and h. They are cheep and well built..

[JFSanders]

Originally Posted by Btdown

Could you recommend a decent beauty dish(es)? As a beginner, not really sure what I should look for, or how big it should (or needs to be). I'm primarily a strobist but and looking what may be useful both in-studio and out.

thanks!

Colonial photo and hobby sells a pretty good one for a decent price. I highly recommend them.

Jim

[Rentham]

I can vouch for the value of a C-Stand, but you immediately trade portability for stability. Mine even has the detachable base, but there is just no way the c-stand is making it to some locations.

My take on umbrellas, PLM types aside, is to buy the cheapest you can find. Umbrellas break, get dirty, get bent, etc. They're flimsy by their very nature. They're disposable. Impact brand from BH for me.