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.

Great value if your looking yo set up a studio or just experimenting with flash. I don't know what more you would get from a more expensive purchase but choose well,look after your gear and it will look after you. I bought a second to give me more lighting options.

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 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.

In the world of photography almost everything seems like its expensive, or at very least well overpriced. At $10 these are very functional and seemingly fair quality.

I would love to say that this is finally the umbrella that will last forever, but those don't exist. It is on par with other hollow shaft umbrellas that I have used in the past. Thankfully, there is no color cast to the photos caused by the umbrella; the photos look as expected in that regard. The results are again on par with other similarly sized umbrellas. I do like when umbrellas have a strap that wraps around to hold it in place when collapsed. Sadly, this one does not, but a Velcro strap or ball bungee does the trick too. I'm satisfied.

One blow-over and this weak thing broke. I can still use it, but I guess you get what you pay for. I would highly suggest not buying this or utilizing weight on your light stands at all times.

This thing works decently well as a diffuser... but it is almost equally reflective and transmissive... meaning it's hard to say whether you should use this like a pass-through umbrella or a bounce umbrella. Maybe there is a different fabric they could use which would pass through more light while still spreading it out evenly... but that sort of product refinement would probably put this in another price point. For now, and for the price, it works.

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.

Worth it.

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

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

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.