diffusers
spitfly
Registered Users Posts: 1 Beginner grinner
Hi! New here. I have a question I'm hoping someone can shed some light on. Do I really need to go to a camera store and get a specialized umbrella diffuser or can I just hop over to Target and buy a white umbrella? Really what difference is there between the two? I'm wanting to just hook it to a 500 watt light bought from Home Depot. Thanks.
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Comments
Normally, a umbrella used for rain (like your Target example) has some type of handle - eithed crooked or decorative. A photo umbrella has a straight shaft - usually of the same dimension (I havent measured mine) because the shaft fits into the receiving hole of either your strobe or your bracket. Additionally, most photogrphic umbrellas lack the extra supporting ribs from the shaft that make the umbrella wind proof (or kind of wind proof). These extra ribs could cause shadows when bouncing and would definitely cause shadows when shooting through the umbrella.
The photo umbrella should be a neutral white or silver. Even if a rain umbrella "looks" white, it may have flourescent dyes imbedded to make the white look brighter. These could flouresce when hit by the strobe.
Anyhow, photo umbrellas are so darn cheap on eBay, that I doubt you would be saving anything even if you found a make-do umbrella in Target.
There is a problem though with bouncing a haolgen worklight into an umbrella. The worklights generate a tremendous amount of heat and may cause a fire - at least the heat may discolor the umbrella. There are "video" umbrellas, designed to resist the heat of continuous lights. They are probably still pretty dangerous when used with the powerful and hot home improvement center work lights.
You would be better off buying an el cheapo Chinese strobe on ebay. This would be a lot safer and more comfortable to use.
Finally
The rain umbrella is bound to be heavier. You can buy a Wescott umbrella with a black cover for less than $30.00. That gives you shoot-through capability with the cover removed, and bounce capability with the cover on. Much smarter use of your money . . . unless you need a new rain umbrella, and have a fookin' heavy tripod with a big honkin' clamp on it!:D
Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
A sudio umbrella has the benefit of having a pole with standard
diameter that fits on lightstands, camps and such. They are lighter
and have the translucency you want. Also they are only 20$ more than
a rain umbrella.
― Edward Weston