Umbrella for use at home

[Alis]

Hi everyone,

I am thinking of buying a translucent umbrella with a stand to use with my 580EXII Speedlight (I already have the PWs). I want it to be light/small to be used at home, to move it quickly.

Any advice will be appreciated

Thanks!

[Colin Southern]

Hi Ali,

You get the umbrellas anywhere for next to nothing - the light stand / boom arms cost a bit more (although still cheap) - you'll also need an adaptor to mount the 580 / umbrella to the boom arm though.

eg:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics...-344395685.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics...-345334190.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics...-345461765.htm

or ...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Arm_Stand.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...a_Bracket.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Umbrella.html

[Alis]

Many thanks, Colin! That is exactly what I need.

However, I noticed the umbrella is very low priced Is there a better brand with higher quality that you can recommend (may be a few of them) regardless of the price or this is actually a good quality umbrella?

[Colin Southern]

Hi Ali,

They're "budget" quality (other words come to mind, but I'd rather not use them!) Seriously, they're OK - I suggest getting several of them because it's only a matter of time before the wind catches one and pulls over the whole rig. It'll ruin any brolly, but they make excellent shock absorbers!

If you want a "pro tip", also get a genuine Canon off camera shoe cord and use it to connect the flash to the TT5:

(a) the foot on the TT5 is only plastic (although cheap to replace -- I broke 3 in 24 hours once!)

(b) it gets the TT5 further away from the 580EX II, so less interferance (the US frequency models are somewhat prone to it)

[Alis]

Thanks, again, Colin. I have seen the cable on professional lighting stands, now I know why.

One last question, B&H is out of the Impact bracket and I could not find it anywhere else at a price close to BandH. Is there anything else compatible with the umbrella and stand you recommended that you can tell me? If not, I have to wait until they have it again.

Thanks again!

[Colin Southern]

Hi Ali,

Try this one instead ...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...djustable.html

It's been a while since I've spent any of your money -- seems just like old times eh?

[Alis]

Thanks, Colin! Hopefully I will have them early next week. Now I have to think of something to do with them.

It's been a while since I've spent any of your money -- seems just like old times eh?

Exactly! No directly though. But honestly I have never regretted buying any of them.

The funny thing is that when I am trying to justify their expenses for my wife, I say Colin (or my NZ friend) recommends this one and that is the end of the story!

[Colin Southern]

The funny thing is that when I am trying to justify their expenses for my wife, I say Colin (or my NZ friend) recommends this one and that is the end of the story!

Hopefully she doesn't have an overseas friend who knows about jewelery!