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  5. Diffusing/bouncing flash - panels, umbrellas or softboxes?

Diffusing/bouncing flash - panels, umbrellas or softboxes?


12 years 2 months ago #201332 by Larrabee
I'm looking to add some spread to my flashes. I'm wondering, what do you guys get the most versatility out of? Is there one that you find yourself reaching for time and time again? Size, portability and ease of setup are important. So I like the idea collapsible panels. But the softboxes lose so much less light. And then there's still the bounce/shoot-thru umbrellas.... With so many options I'm kind of torn.
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12 years 2 months ago #201336 by Sleven
A 42" x 72" panel with reflective white fabric as a reflector is a studio staple. It's large enough to actually DO its job. Panels can be pretty portable, and are exceptionally versatile. Umbrellas light up large areas pretty well,and are very portable, and very affordable also. The Lastolite Umbrella Box is like a softbox, and also an umbrella, and gives beautiful light. It is an enclosed umbrella that doubly diffuses the light,so it's very different from a regular reflecting umbrella. A grid-fitted, recessed face softbox offers a lot of control of beam spread.

I think shoot-through umbrellas are a poor choice for use with "real" studio flash heads at power levels like 200-1200 watt-seconds--all they do is blast light forward AND backward,and create a lot of ambient spill, and bland lighting with weird-looking effects. They work better with speedlights.
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12 years 2 months ago #201338 by Liss
I think you ultimately need them all. I would start with reflectors, then umbrellas, then softboxes of the type for your lighting.

I was wondering if you shoot indoor, outdoor, or both?
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12 years 2 months ago #201343 by Larrabee
I shoot both out and indoors about equally. My lights right now are two SB-600..

I totally agree with you guys in that I will eventually need all 3. But until I have the funds and space to work with I need to focus on just one for now. Panels seem like the logical choice but I just loved the couple times I got to work with softboxes. So much more control.
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