New Toy For Me!!

ZerodogZerodog Registered Users Posts: 1,480 Major grins
edited February 17, 2011 in Accessories
I have been messing with various methods of light modification for off camera flash trying to avoid stands and big items. My favorite tools have been my 2 gorillapods and a Rogue Flash Bender. Lately I have been looking for soft window light effects. So, I have been bouncing a flash off of a 36" reflector. This works pretty good. But it still is not as defused as I would like. And I am still holding a reflector and flash by hand or having someone hold it. So that had me thinking of a softbox. I went to Pictureline in SLC to check out the Lastolite EZ box and ended up going another direction entirely. I got a HUGE 60" convertible umbrella. It was an easy choice because of the $45 dollar price tag. I got a stand and flash bracket and everything for $160. If I want a softbox later, I now at least have the stand I needed anyway, and that was the expensive part of this setup.

I have to say I am impressed with this contraption. It took me all of a few minutes to setup. It should be very versatile for me. If I need more light, I will just add another flash or 2 or 3 or 4. And the light? It is soft and wonderful. If I want it softer, I will pull the black back off and shoot through it

I played around doing some lens calibrations last night. I grabbed the girl and put her in front of this massive contraption to try it on a person. Here is what I got with my newly calibrated 50mm 1.8.

1190290749_EKMPV-L.jpg

Here is the setup in the kitchen.
1190290495_Hx9NV-L.jpg

Comments

  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited February 17, 2011
    Do try some different settings and positions with the flash and umbrella. Give the flash enough distance from the umbrella to completely fill the inside, even if it means using a diffuser or WA cover for the flash.

    Once you use the big light modifiers you get spoiled to the soft shadows and wrapping light and it makes it hard to go back to anything smaller. thumb.gif
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • ZerodogZerodog Registered Users Posts: 1,480 Major grins
    edited February 17, 2011
    Nope, I just tried one setting. It was about 1.5' away from the umbrella with the wide angle diffuser flipped down on the flash.

    So what is the idea with the adjustment. Further back will be more diffused and closer will be more focused? Am I thinking about that right?

    Yes wrapping light is a good description. It is like it bends around the subject. Pretty cool!
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited February 17, 2011
    Zerodog wrote: »
    Nope, I just tried one setting. It was about 1.5' away from the umbrella with the wide angle diffuser flipped down on the flash.

    So what is the idea with the adjustment. Further back will be more diffused and closer will be more focused? Am I thinking about that right?

    ...

    Use a large blank wall as your subject and set the umbrella/tripod/flash a distance away. Vary the setup distances between the flash and the umbrella and with/without the diffuser. Photograph the results of each different setup, possibly underexposing so you can see the light pattern and spread on the wall.

    I think you'll see the differences better than I can describe them and that some of the differences will be specific to your particular umbrella-flash combination. What you are looking for is how the light focuses and spreads at different settings.

    Use the settings that match your needs/intentions and distances to the subject(s).
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
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