Fotodiox Premium Grade Studio Umbrella - 43" Shoot Through Translucent Neutral White

Update: I used these for a video shoot (see attached screen cap) and the lighting was awesome. We filmed this in a dimly lit basement, and these shoot through umbrellas turned the OMNI's into nice soft light...These little things gave new life to a set of old Lowel OMNI lights that I use for shoots. Great lighting for both video and photo. While these do not control light like a soft-box, these give that nice, soft light that I am looking for. The large size and circular shape gives the light additional softness. The construction seems OK - somewhat on the fragile side, but I am one of those geeky types that overdo it in terms of care and storage, so I very rarely break equipment. I tend to maintain items that others may deem as "cheap" or "fragile" for a very long time.Given my other alternative was to purchase a couple of speed-rings, (approx $35 each) as well as the soft boxes ( approx $25 each), getting this effect for a mere $25 for both umbrellas was a blessing on my pocket. These also set-up and tear down very quickly, when compared to setting up a soft-box, rings, poles, etc.I am sure there are many artistic and academic reasons why my approach is not PC in the filmmaking/photo world, but I am very pleased with my results...These have upped my production quality for a very low price.

These are very nice. Amazing for the price. This is my first set of umbrellas so I did some research. Some people have complained about umbrellas in general that it's easy to dent the tip of the tube, making it impossible to slide into an umbrella holder. Some even suggest breaking off a pencil inside the tip of the tube to prevent it from ever denting inwards. Luckily, these umbrellas have a cap on the end enclosing the tube. No pencil jamming required :) Love it!

I bought a couple of these for various photo projects. They do exactly what they are designed to do at a reasonable price. It seems ridiculous the prices other companies charge for what is essentially a big, white umbrella. So, when I ordered these my only concern was the build quality because I'm pretty rough on my gear.These are well-built. The shaft is reasonably thick. I couldn't flex them with a reasonable amount of force, but I didn't want to push too hard either. I couldn't measure the thickness of the shaft wall because there is a nice metal end cap. The fabric is fine. I only lose about 1/3 stop shooting through these with my White Lighting strobes. The ribs seem to be on par with every other umbrella (of any sort) I've ever used. They are tipped with a nice white plastic barrel. The umbrellas come with a fairly thick, clear plastic sleeve to help keep them clean and white. Even if I do break one, at $10 a piece, I could buy five or six replacements and not spend as much money as some other companies charge.Because 43" is big, I have to move the umbrella all the way out to the end of the shaft to get it far enough away to get even illumination. When I do this, I get a beautifully soft lighting effect. I was concerned that they would be too heavy hanging way out off my strobes, but they are light enough I don't have to counter balance them. I was also concerned the shaft would bend under it's own weight, being held by just the last three or four inches. Also, I was a little worried the shaft diameter size would be wrong for my strobes, but they fit very nicely, which means they are of a standard size for most strobe equipment. But no worries. Everything has held up fine so far.I only have one wish that would make me happier. The folded length from tip to end of shaft is 29". I can't fit them in my lighting case. I would have loved for them to double fold and telescope down into a shorter length. I think you have to pay through the nose for that kind of convenience, however.All in all, I think they are well worth the price, and I know I'll buy them again. Because sooner or later, I'm going to break one. :)

I love the size and sturdiness of this umbrella. Great value for the price

i order this one because it was the only one that could be shipped internationally (puerto rico) and came pretty fast, less than a week. great quality and was bigger than expected! no dents or fold in the ubrella fabric... really great purchase!

I have several of these umbrellas and love them all. They are pretty sturdy for the price point and seem to have some sort stain resisting quality about them. I'm the worst about tossing them on the floor, dropping them in dirt etc... but they have all held up really well.

Study and does the bob in my busy photostudio in Barbados

This was my first commercially produced modifier, and I'm loving it. I can tell it's not ultra durable, but it's much easier to use than my do-it-yourself approaches in the past have been, and I'm delighted with the effect - shot some portraits for a local artisan and after just a couple shots to hone in on the proper light level we got a result we both liked in terms of the quality of light & shadows.The only slight caution I have if you're new to umbrellas is you might, just might, want to start with something a little smaller if you're going to either 1) use it low down on your stand, since it's large which means not only wide dispersal but also possibly bumping the ground or the stand legs, or 2) planning on using it in close to the backdrop if you want that truly dark - the wide dispersal could dump light where you're not wanting it, I suppose, although I had enough depth in the room that it wasn't actually an issue for me (or you could GOBO it, as I've often done with DIY solutions.)Oh, and I suppose like any umbrella you have to be aware of wind, eh?For the price and convenience, best diffuser in my kit, presently. I'm sure there are more durable options, the kind worthy of 5 stars, but this is just what I was expecting.

Worth it.

Ya conocía el producto. Muy bueno, aunque me gustaría con una funda protectora. Cumple muy bien su función. Manejándolo con cuidado dura mucho tiempo. Y el precio es excelente.

Es muy ligera y de facil operacion, pero se siente un poco fragil, me gustaria que tuviera varillas mas gruesas

Great budget option for an umbrella, nothing negative to say. Easy and light to pack and carry in my light stand bag.

I have to say I love the size of 43” when it comes to an umbrella. It seems to be sturdy and will hold up. Not the cheapest umbrella I could have boughten and in-fact it was the only simple white umbrella I could find for 43” on Amazon.So I went to a family portrait in a barn and needed to bring my 5 ft neweer umbrella aswell to help light the scene. When having both umbrellas side by side I realized that the 43” was an off white cream Colour. So much to the point that the white clothes on one side of the families photo was creamy and the other side was more brilliant white.Now. I know it’s hard to tell in this photo but I just wanted to show the set up.