Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36"

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

Perfect Umbrella for me, much easier and faster to set up than my softbox, I can use it as a shoot through or a reflective umbrella as well. I like the 36" for being more portable than the 48 or 60". As a photographer who works primarily on location I couldn't ask for a better umbrella, except the ribs in the umbrella are still a little fragile for me, I would gladly pay more for something a little more rugged.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

i use with ellincrom.
very soft, very beautiful shadow!!
i will buy more big size!!
I am satisfied with this purchase.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

Price = GreatQuality of Light = GreatBuild = Not badPortability = GreatAssembly = Easy

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

My go-to umbrella for most lighting situations. Love the diffusion cover for portraits.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

I bought this for use with an AlienBees strobe and a shoe flash. The cloth collar is too small to comfortably go around the housing of the AB. With a shoe flash, it's awkward to set up, though it does work. Using an umbrella bracket didn't solve the problem of placing the shoe flash (Canon 580EX II) in the correct position. Instead, I use a metal bracket and studs to place the shoe flash horizontally, so to keep the control panel and the remote sensor visible and accessible.

The removable light diffuser works well, but I'm not sure how long it will last; it feels as it can break easily.

I give it 3 stars because of the quality and overpriced tag.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

Upon recieving my Photek Softlighter I was egaer to put it to use. So I did, opened it, held it and scrutinized it! Its design was sleak, light weight and easy to understand. Mounted it on my mono light and fired away, enlightening with the results I quickly shared my results with my colegues.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

This umbrella is very affordable and gives a pleasing, flattering quality of light that is suitable for fashion or portraits. Its quick and simple to set up and breaks down in a few moments. Its light weight and small to transport. Annie Leibovitz has used them to good effect for years and she has access to any type of light modifier going, so that is a very good endorsement in my estimation. My only criticism is they are maybe a little delicate, so they are not designed for the heavy handed or very windy days outside.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

This is a great product. I prefer the larger big brother but no one ever seems to have them in stock. I picked these up in the meantime and did the job. Can't go wrong.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

This small umbrella has become my go-to light modifier for location portraits. It sets up easy and provides a nice directional soft light with Dynalite fan-cooled heads. Highly recommended.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

great for location
compact
light

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

Very soft light. Easy to get close.

Not the strongest construction but price and quality of light easily makes up for that!

This version unscrews so you don't have a poll poking out your subject's eye!

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

I use this as a key light for all my head shots and I even own a beauty dish.
I love this for location/editorial work it is small enough to get into tight areas and the fact you can pivot it from the front makes it very versatile. You can get away with just a stand where you'd need a boom for a BD or octo/softbox.

And hey, this is Annie Leibovitz chosen modifier. Got to have something going on. Also have seen Arny Freytag using the larger ones on Playboy shoots.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

I bought both the Photek 36" SOFTLITER and the 46". My studio is narrow and I have been looking for a great light modifier to work with. I have bought many softboxes, umbrellas, and halos over the years but these Softliter II work much better at a fraction of the cost. Because my flash head goes in from the front it means I can move the Softliter right to the wall. Love it! The quality of construction was a pleasant surprise.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

Small and easy to carry, yet a great modifier

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

-Black back easy to remove
-Diffusion cover goes on quick once you know how to do it
-Great even light
-Silver and Gold discs are a great bonus, and a neat way to change the light without switching modifiers
-Not too heavy
-Goes up MUCH faster than a softbox or octobox.
-Removable shaft is a must
-These actually fit the Elinchrom 7mm holes as well as regular 8mm holes, (if you have quadras, get these, not the "7mm" ones.)

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

I specialize in portraiture on location and this umbrella is the best small light modifier I have ever used. It has a soft light quality that is easy to correctly position creating a lighting pattern easier to work with than a soft box but crisper than an umbrella. Material quality is very good and I really like the detachable shaft for storing the umbrella in a small space. The first time you use this umbrella it will take a moment of thinking to get the soft light panel on over your strobe but once you get the hang of setting it up, it is easy.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

I have a couple of softlighters and use both with speedlights and/or monoblocks in various combinations. Its used with flash as a key light and for fill with my 60 inch Softlighter. Both work great. Highly Recommended.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

I purchased this modifier for a location assignment where I was making full length portraits in a room with 7 foot ceilings. I wanted a soft light from an high an angle as possible. My main light umbrella is 60" and would have been too low. The diffuser cover really helped making the light soft, despite the small size of the source. Assembles quickly and easily.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

Skeleton could be stronger.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

This is really the most versitile umbrella/softbox i've ever used. The giant one gives really soft fabulous light with the baffle installed, directional -- like a softbox without the annoying setup. the small one is a good compromise and the removable shaft means you can get it really close to your subject. it's also a shoot through and a reflective. it comes with a pair of reflectors (gold and silver) that you can weave into the spines -- personally i just toss these out.

the spines aren't terribly sturdy though for something you're supposed to be carting around. i don't know why someone hasn't figured out to make them out of whatever they make fishing rods out of. mine usually lasts about ten months before something gets bent and, as far as i can tell, you can't buy just a replacement umbrella. that's what's keeping it from being 5 stars.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

Perfect Umbrella for me, much easier and faster to set up than my softbox, I can use it as a shoot through or a reflective umbrella as well. I like the 36" for being more portable than the 48 or 60". As a photographer who works primarily on location I couldn't ask for a better umbrella, except the ribs in the umbrella are still a little fragile for me, I would gladly pay more for something a little more rugged.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

i use with ellincrom.
very soft, very beautiful shadow!!
i will buy more big size!!
I am satisfied with this purchase.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

Price = GreatQuality of Light = GreatBuild = Not badPortability = GreatAssembly = Easy

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

My go-to umbrella for most lighting situations. Love the diffusion cover for portraits.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

I bought this for use with an AlienBees strobe and a shoe flash. The cloth collar is too small to comfortably go around the housing of the AB. With a shoe flash, it's awkward to set up, though it does work. Using an umbrella bracket didn't solve the problem of placing the shoe flash (Canon 580EX II) in the correct position. Instead, I use a metal bracket and studs to place the shoe flash horizontally, so to keep the control panel and the remote sensor visible and accessible.

The removable light diffuser works well, but I'm not sure how long it will last; it feels as it can break easily.

I give it 3 stars because of the quality and overpriced tag.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

Upon recieving my Photek Softlighter I was egaer to put it to use. So I did, opened it, held it and scrutinized it! Its design was sleak, light weight and easy to understand. Mounted it on my mono light and fired away, enlightening with the results I quickly shared my results with my colegues.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

This umbrella is very affordable and gives a pleasing, flattering quality of light that is suitable for fashion or portraits. Its quick and simple to set up and breaks down in a few moments. Its light weight and small to transport. Annie Leibovitz has used them to good effect for years and she has access to any type of light modifier going, so that is a very good endorsement in my estimation. My only criticism is they are maybe a little delicate, so they are not designed for the heavy handed or very windy days outside.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

This is a great product. I prefer the larger big brother but no one ever seems to have them in stock. I picked these up in the meantime and did the job. Can't go wrong.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

This small umbrella has become my go-to light modifier for location portraits. It sets up easy and provides a nice directional soft light with Dynalite fan-cooled heads. Highly recommended.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

great for location
compact
light

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

Very soft light. Easy to get close.

Not the strongest construction but price and quality of light easily makes up for that!

This version unscrews so you don't have a poll poking out your subject's eye!

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

I use this as a key light for all my head shots and I even own a beauty dish.
I love this for location/editorial work it is small enough to get into tight areas and the fact you can pivot it from the front makes it very versatile. You can get away with just a stand where you'd need a boom for a BD or octo/softbox.

And hey, this is Annie Leibovitz chosen modifier. Got to have something going on. Also have seen Arny Freytag using the larger ones on Playboy shoots.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

I bought both the Photek 36" SOFTLITER and the 46". My studio is narrow and I have been looking for a great light modifier to work with. I have bought many softboxes, umbrellas, and halos over the years but these Softliter II work much better at a fraction of the cost. Because my flash head goes in from the front it means I can move the Softliter right to the wall. Love it! The quality of construction was a pleasant surprise.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

Small and easy to carry, yet a great modifier

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

-Black back easy to remove
-Diffusion cover goes on quick once you know how to do it
-Great even light
-Silver and Gold discs are a great bonus, and a neat way to change the light without switching modifiers
-Not too heavy
-Goes up MUCH faster than a softbox or octobox.
-Removable shaft is a must
-These actually fit the Elinchrom 7mm holes as well as regular 8mm holes, (if you have quadras, get these, not the "7mm" ones.)

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

I specialize in portraiture on location and this umbrella is the best small light modifier I have ever used. It has a soft light quality that is easy to correctly position creating a lighting pattern easier to work with than a soft box but crisper than an umbrella. Material quality is very good and I really like the detachable shaft for storing the umbrella in a small space. The first time you use this umbrella it will take a moment of thinking to get the soft light panel on over your strobe but once you get the hang of setting it up, it is easy.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

I have a couple of softlighters and use both with speedlights and/or monoblocks in various combinations. Its used with flash as a key light and for fill with my 60 inch Softlighter. Both work great. Highly Recommended.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

I purchased this modifier for a location assignment where I was making full length portraits in a room with 7 foot ceilings. I wanted a soft light from an high an angle as possible. My main light umbrella is 60" and would have been too low. The diffuser cover really helped making the light soft, despite the small size of the source. Assembles quickly and easily.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

Skeleton could be stronger.

Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 36":

This is really the most versitile umbrella/softbox i've ever used. The giant one gives really soft fabulous light with the baffle installed, directional -- like a softbox without the annoying setup. the small one is a good compromise and the removable shaft means you can get it really close to your subject. it's also a shoot through and a reflective. it comes with a pair of reflectors (gold and silver) that you can weave into the spines -- personally i just toss these out.

the spines aren't terribly sturdy though for something you're supposed to be carting around. i don't know why someone hasn't figured out to make them out of whatever they make fishing rods out of. mine usually lasts about ten months before something gets bent and, as far as i can tell, you can't buy just a replacement umbrella. that's what's keeping it from being 5 stars.