Impact Convertible Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Backing - 60"

So far I have used the umbrella twice. I'm going to really put it to the test this weekend when I shoot wedding formals in the church and I'm going to see what it can do in an outdoor enviroment.When it arrived, it was packaged well and comes with a clear vinyl sleeve to protect it when not in use. The mechanics when opening and closing are smooth and it does not feel like I'm about to break it any second.The description stated that it is a white shoot through umbrella and when you put the black cover on you can bounce off the silver inside. I wouldn't really describe the inside as silver...and I'm happy about it. It's white, but there is a pearlecent sheen to it, unlike the outside of the umbrella when the black cover is removed it is all white. The result is very flattering. It is slightly more reflective than white, but does not create extra contrast and pop like silver would. The black cover is easy to take on and off.

I looked at several similar umbrellas and went with this one on the recommendation of another. I am glad I took his advice. This unit is well made and does a very nice job. I use mine with basic flash units and it provides a nice, soft light when shooting through, and some nice specular highlights when bouncing into it with the cover on. If you are shooting through with a flash, adding a Stofen or similar diffuser seems to fill the umbrella better and gives a more even fill.As other as have said, you will need a study stand and if you are thinking about taking it outside, you will want to invest in sand bags.

It is a large reflector. With either a monolight or several speedlites gives a soft pleasing key light when shot through when doing portraits of 1 to 5 people. As a reflector with the black cover on it also does a nice job as well. It proves the point that the larger the source the softer the light. Using the umbrella as pictured and slightly behind the subject about 10 o'clock highlights the hair and wraps soft light around the subject facing 7 o'clock. Because of its size it complicates traveling with it, but great in the studio. It may not survive constant use of opening and closing but at this price it is a good value.

This thing is heavy; you need a strong light stand, especially if you want to mount it in a high position.I took a construction worklight (the kind with adjustable telescoping light stand), removed the lights, drilled hole in crossbar, and mounted a spigot. This is very strong and stable. You can pick these lights up at big box building supply store or Amazon in the $35 range, and Sears sometimes has them on sale for $25 or so.Black cover is easy to mount/dismount, no velcro needed. There are eight mounting tips; each one mounts to the end of a rib.I am lighting it using a Nisson 621 flash gun. The light is soft and it does a good job of flowing around the subject. I will be trying it with a 400ws monolight next week. I will try to remember to update this review.For those who have written that a speedlight can not light the entire umbrella, I have a tip for you. Use two light stands; the umbrella on one and the light on the other. I like to use a heavy light stand for the umbrella and a light-weight one for the light. Position the light behind (or in front if using as a reflector) the umbrella. Take a photo and see how much of the umbrella is lit. Move the light back until a photo shows that the entire umbrella is lit. This technique also allows you to center the light for even coverage.Mounted it high in a large living room with light-colored ceiling and walls, large open doors, and huge expanse of windows. I was able to take photos at any spot in the room. From the near end of the room to the far end of the room was about 2 stops, with most of the falloff being in the far 1/4 of the room.I get great photos using white shoot-thru, white reflector (black cover removed), and black-backed reflector. Of course, each technique produces its own effects; but they are all good. -- Another good shot is to place model between the umbrella and the camera, and add a little fill light from another source. Very dramatic!I may purchase another one. Placing one right and left of a subject would give the "safe" shots that are needed at any portrait shoot before moving on to the more interesting lighting arrangements. Also, you could more evenly light a hall or a group with two of them.

Nice and big umbrella. Sturdy and just what I needed. It doesn't seem heavy like a lot of people say. The company was very responsive as it was delayed by snow. I didn't know what the delay was but the company emailed immediately after my inquiry.

OMG sooooo cheap ... incredible disappointment. Who are you people who rated this at 3 or above? Have you been paid the the manufacturer? The material is frayed at the edges, so very light light and pieced together by ribbed tin toy material. Mishandled in anyway and it is broken, In a wind, broken. It if falls over, broken. Disposable as some one mentioned. Yes!!! I also own Westcott which is better and Profoto the best. The ribbing is solid material. The Impact ribbing is made of thin pieces of hollowed channel tin. You can find better material at goodwill stores.

Cheaply made poor quality umbrella. Not designed for heavy use.

This is a really nice umbrella. It opens and closes really easily and smoothly, unlike every other umbrella type of light modifier that I've bought, which was a really nice, unexpected plus.I was concerned that it wouldn't reflect a lot of light when the black cover was on, since it's bouncing off of a white surface instead of a metallic surface, but it reflects plenty of light and gives a really nice soft edge to the shadows. Just what I was looking for.A metallic colored umbrella would most likely give you a harder edge to the shadow, so I'll get one of those some time and use this one for getting great portrait photos when I need a nice soft shadow.