Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW Umbrellas and Cold Shoe Mount

Comments about Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW Umbrellas and Cold Shoe Mount:

The stands feel pretty sturdy, but I'm not too convinced about the umbrellas.First the stands/support: the collars are plastic, but feel like glass filled nylon, so they feel pretty sturdy. They're my first stands, but feel about the same as others I've played with.the umbrellas I'm not such a fan of. The ribs are thin metal, and feel like they're going to bend some day, and the black cover is held on using metal caps that are stitched to the cover. Still, it's a good starter set that gets you up and shooting, just plan to replace the umbrellas someday soon.

Comments about Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW Umbrellas and Cold Shoe Mount:

I use these as reflectors for off camera lighting. I shoot portrait photos at events. The size of the umbrellas, and the height of the stands are perfect for this. I had read that the carry bag was too small. The bag I received is large enough to carry my tripod as well!

Comments about Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW Umbrellas and Cold Shoe Mount:

I was very plesed with this kit. Lightweight and portable. I have used it both as to shoot through by removing the black backing, and as a reflector.

Comments about Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW Umbrellas and Cold Shoe Mount:

I bought these to use with my shoe mount flashes, so I had to also get the umbrella brackets w/adjustable shoe, but they are big enough to use with larger lights so I will get them eventually. For now they still work fantastic as a 2-light set-up on the go.

Comments about Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW Umbrellas and Cold Shoe Mount:

I've only had a few occasions to try this kit out, but so far, I am very impressed. Materials used seem fairly sturdy, very easy to assemble and use with my SB-700 & SB-900. Plus bonus points for the bag. While it is too large for the kit, the additional size lets me throw in a heavy duty tripod, making travel that much easier.

Comments about Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW Umbrellas and Cold Shoe Mount:

Umbrellas are great and have the option to take the black layer off. Once you turn the bracket the other way then as it came you can move the umbrellas to the direction that is needed. The one downfall is the case has a zipper at the side and bottom of it, so you have to be careful of how u place objects in the case so when you transfer it to place to place it doesn't not brake anything.

Comments about Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW Umbrellas and Cold Shoe Mount:

I am starting in the strobist world and was looking for a fair priced starter kit.
The umbrellas are made of high quality materials, the stands are very lightweight and the case is very convenient for transportation.

Comments about Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW Umbrellas and Cold Shoe Mount:

It is a very nice kit, i would recommend it to others, easy setup and light weight.
Even though there is no flash shoes with the kit, i'm able to use the shoes of the flashes themselves, the bag is nice and large enough for the kit.

Comments about Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW Umbrellas and Cold Shoe Mount:

The included components are of decent quality, and no complaints whatosever given the price point. The kit is a very nice start, but not quite complete, and I'm not sure why. I would give 3.5 stars if it were an option, but 4 was just too high for a bundle that is slightly "quirky" in my opinion.
First, I'm surprised the description isn't correct, but the umbrellas in this kit ARE shoot-thru. The black backing easily comes off. In Keith's review he mentions the black backing can't be detached. He's incorrect. Unscrew the black cap at the tip and the backing comes right off. 2nd, this kit is designed for use with flash, so I'm very surpised that shoes for flash aren't included. I don't get it. I actually had to call to make sure I definitely needed another piece, and verify what exactly I needed. You need the Stroboframe 300-405 as well.
I received my kit on 4/30/10 and the bag that came with the kit is ridiculous. It's of decent quality but way too small. Bill mentioned that his bag was roomy. He must have lucked out and gotten a different bag. The bag I received is designed for a TRIPOD and says so on the packaging. Not two light stands with brackets attached. In a nutshell, remove the bag from your consideration set (unless a decent tripod bag is of value to you), and add $20 to the package to make it functional with flash, and what you have is a $130 kit that is still a decent value in my opinion. I would buy it again, but just wish these things were better communicated.

Comments about Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW Umbrellas and Cold Shoe Mount:

Works well. The umbrella stem is a little soft, tightening too much will deform it. The bag that I got is HUGE, fits everything and has enough space for at least one more stand + umbrella. Stands have sturdy build and balances well (as long as you put it on wide stance). I don't like the tightening clamps/brackets that much. They do their job, but they are a little flimsy for my taste. For the price though, this is a great kit and I would recommend it to anyone. If you're looking for your first or supplementary umbrella kit, don't think twice. Just get it.

Comments about Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW Umbrellas and Cold Shoe Mount:

Wow, although the kit is clearly a bigger kit, the customer service is just great! The kit works wonderfully, but if your looking for a strong kit, this is not for you (hense why other kits are more money). But if your one to takes care of your products, then this is just perfect.

I had my bag rip, and about a year later the handle broke off on the umbrella mount after dropping it. Both times the company shipped me replacements hassle free. No questions, no extra chargers. I can say how great it's been dealing with them.

Comments about Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW Umbrellas and Cold Shoe Mount:

The kit seems very good for light duty studio work. The items all seem to be high quality and the carry bag makes it quite convenient to move the kit to a shoot site. I compared the quality with similarly priced items, and this kit won, hands down.

Comments about Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW Umbrellas and Cold Shoe Mount:

This is an excellent starter kit for a casual user. Brackets could be a little more sturdy for commercial use. Threads for umbrella retaining screws seam a little weak....also the black backing on the umbrellas seam to be removable at first, but are still fastened permanently in the center...even though the outside retainers can be detached. This means the umbrellas cannot be used for shoot-through. Overall good quality.

Comments about Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW Umbrellas and Cold Shoe Mount:

This is a great kit to begin your portrait and Strobist lighting with. I've used it for portraits and like the results. It works great for flash shooters.

I consider this kit an excellent value. The lightstands are decent quality, the umbrellas are 40" tip-to-tip and thus larger than the umbrellas in some comparably priced kits, the umbrella brackets work well, and there's a bag to carry everything in.

The lightstands are black. They are not air-cushioned but I consider that an advantage. More expensive, heavier, heavy-duty, air-cushioned stands are suited for carrying big strobes and softboxes, where the weight can collapse the stand easily and pinch your fingers. However, lighter-weight, less-expensive lightstands don't benefit from air-cushioning when carrying flashes and umbrellas. The lack of air-cushioning makes the stand easier to take down.

The umbrellas are 40" measured straight from tip-to-tip. This is a good size for most uses, except for full-length portraits. Beware that some other kits have smallish umbrellas that are more problematic for waist-up portraits.

While flash users may be put off by the kit's lack of shoes, I find the shoes in most low-priced kits to be less than satisfactory. I'd much rather buy two Stroboframe 300 shoes separately. That gives you possibly the best flash shoes available for not too much money.

Finally, some reviewers have complained about the size of the bag. Perhaps they got a different, smaller bag in the earlier kits. I have zero problems fitting both assembled stands+brackets and both umbrellas into the bag. There is plenty of room for them, with space left over. Indeed, I think I could squeeze in a third lightstand and umbrella into the bag.

Comments about Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW Umbrellas and Cold Shoe Mount:

Stands are well made with wide stance. Need weights for outdoor use. Carrying bag holds all parts and some add'l equipment. Good value.

Comments about Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW Umbrellas and Cold Shoe Mount:

I just received my umbrella kit and it is great so far. Yes, the umbrella mounts are made of plastic, but they seem pretty strong. I am a total beginner and I was up and shooting in a few minutes. The bag that I received with my kit fit all of the equipment plus bungee, extension and sync cords with plenty of room to add additional equipment. I was apprehensive at first, but now I'm really glad I made the purchase. I totally recommend this kit to anyone doing the strobist thing and just starting out.

Comments about Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW Umbrellas and Cold Shoe Mount:

More than I expected. The stands are sturdy and contrary to the picture they come in black which I thought was really nice. As my first umbrella kit I can see it bringing me much joy and finally better lighting!

Comments about Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW Umbrellas and Cold Shoe Mount:

As a serious amateur photographer who wanted to get better lighting using off camera flash this solution turned out to be a relative low cost way to get great results. I am using it with two CLS capable Nikon flash units and I am very pleased with the results.

Comments about Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW Umbrellas and Cold Shoe Mount:

Nice umbrellas and stands. My biggest objection is that the carrying bag supplied with this kit only holds one stand and two umbrellas. I have to carry the other stand separately. Also, had to purchase hot-shoe adapters separately.

Comments about Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW Umbrellas and Cold Shoe Mount:

I bought this set based on recomendation from one of the photographic forums and this is absolutely best set in this price range. As an extra bonus comes with a case so it can be moved easily. The only complain is lock of flash shoe bracket which has to be purchased separately.