Westcott 43" White Umbrella, Collapsible
- Price: $29.90
- GBP 18.90
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- In Stock
This umbrella has an 8 mm standard shaft which will fit virtually all heads except Elinchrom which requires a 7 mm shaft. Elinchrom owners should mount this umbrella to their head's tilter, rather than the umbrella receptacle.
This Westcott 43" White Satin Umbrella has a removable black backing, so that it may be used as a "shoot-through", makeshift softbox. It has a collapsible shaft, which makes it very compact for packing away in your location case.
Umbrellas soften, broaden, and diminish the light output of any tungsten or flash light source. Umbrellas with a white interior will soften and weaken light more than an umbrella with a silver lining. A white umbrella without a black backing may also be used as a makeshift softbox, although the use of the light will not be as efficient as with a lightbox.
Choosing umbrella size is determined by the size of the subject, and the strength of the light supply being used. Choosing an umbrella surface is as subjective as choosing a paint and brush.
Suggested use: 1 or 2 person mid-length portrait.
| Maximum Wattage | 750W |
| Dimensions |
43" (1.09 m) Closed length: 14.5" (0.36 m) |
| Weight | 1 lb (0.45 kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 127 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
89%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Lightweight (35)
- Durable (32)
- Attach securely (28)
- Easy to use (21)
- Good color value (20)
Cons
- Flimsy (10)
- Not durable (6)
- Weak (6)
- Poor design (3)
Best Uses
- Indoors (46)
- General purpose (44)
- Portraits (31)
- Outdoors (24)
- Low light (19)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (23), Semi-pro photographer (23), Enthusiast (19), Pro photographer (15), Semi-professional (12)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (43)
Most Liked Positive Review
The Strobist Umbrella
This is ideal for traveling. Lightweight, small and versatile. Contrary to some people say, the black cover isn't hard to take off or put on. Don't fully extend the umbrella when taking off...Read complete review
This is ideal for traveling. Lightweight, small and versatile. Contrary to some people say, the black cover isn't hard to take off or put on. Don't fully extend the umbrella when taking off the black cover and when putting it back on, the umbrella should be fully opened and make sure the screw on top is slighty loose when attaching the pins. It is however a little combersome to fold the umbrella with the back cover on as it easily comes off. The solution is just to store the back cover separately. As for the hollow shaft, put a small piece of pencil into it for durability-a tip by the Strobist himself. I hope this helps.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Portable but difficult to use
I got these umbrellas while trying to create a light, portable lighting setup. This paired with some lightweight 5 section collapsible stands seemed like the perfect pair.
From a weight and size pe...Read complete review
I got these umbrellas while trying to create a light, portable lighting setup. This paired with some lightweight 5 section collapsible stands seemed like the perfect pair.
From a weight and size perspective, these fit the bill perfectly. From a functional standpoint, they could certainly be better. The black cover is very difficult to keep attached to all of the points on the edge of the umbrella when it's collapsed, and it's nearly impossible to re-fold correctly while attached to the umbrella to fit the whole thing back in the protective black sleeves.
The black covers are attached to the center of the umbrella by a silver plastic screw. While trying to detach the cover from one of the umbrellas, this screw snapped right off. A metal screw or snap would have been a much better way to go.
I ended up just removing the black covers from the umbrella and leaving it off. I mostly use umbrellas as shoot-throughs anyway, and the covers are too frustrating to use on a regular basis.
For a portable setup, I would get these umbrellas only if you plan on using the covers sparingly and carefully. They will not take much abuse.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 127 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Portable
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
Comments about Westcott 43" White Umbrella, Collapsible:
I bought two. I keep the black backing on one and keep the other as a shoot through. They fold up small so they are easy to travel is. The quality is good for the money and they should last a while with care. I use mine for strobist work on location with Vivitar 285HV's, SB-600, SB-800 and 900.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors
Comments about Westcott 43" White Umbrella, Collapsible:
I like these umbrellas as I had one and got a second one. The color tone is slightly colder that some soft box umbrellas I own. However that's not a problem as I shoot in raw and you can do a white balance. I really like the results from these. They are also compact & easy to use. I noticed that once I remove the backing, some of the tips tend to come off easier by themselves. I plan on keeping the backing on and if I want shoot throuhgs i'll get a second pair.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors
Comments about Westcott 43" White Umbrella, Collapsible:
This thing is very compact and fits right into a backpack yet sets up full size and with the removable cover it's like have having 2 in 1
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Westcott 43" White Umbrella, Collapsible:
The product is small in terms of collapsibility.
However once i removed the backing, for some shoot through, i found that it kept coming off once it was collapsed. I would rather go for a full length with removable backing.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Good Color Value
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
- Low Light
- Night Time
- Outdoors
Comments about Westcott 43" White Umbrella, Collapsible:
Never had one until now, but this seems like a good one. It will allow you to shoot-through and as a softbox. The only thing is that the black cover will not stay together if not fully open. Once collapsed, the corners separate from the metal fasteners.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Small durable
Cons
Best Uses
- Low Light
Comments about Westcott 43" White Umbrella, Collapsible:
folds up nice and small,works great.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Durable
- Good Color Value
- Long-Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
- Low Light
Comments about Westcott 43" White Umbrella, Collapsible:
This umbrella is easy to use as either a shoot-through or reflective umbrella, which is very convenient. This was my first umbrella, and I think it's a great place to start. It has worked well for the portraits I shot with it, creating a nice soft light. I'd definitely recommend it for anyone who just getting into lighting.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Adjustable
- Easy to Use
- Good Color Value
- Sets up quickly
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
- Low Light
- Night Time
- Outdoors
- Special Events
Comments about Westcott 43" White Umbrella, Collapsible:
I use the product for speed light flash unit and studio flash units.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
Comments about Westcott 43" White Umbrella, Collapsible:
Folds down real small about 12", so far seems like a quality umbrella for the price.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact size
Cons
- Wont' fit Elinchroms
Best Uses
Comments about Westcott 43" White Umbrella, Collapsible:
I ordered two of these because of their compact size. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed when I saw the odd hexagonal shaft because it was obvious it would not fit in my Elinchrom monolights. The shaft measures 9mm in diameter and I would imagine it would not fit in many other strobes as well. I really wish there had been some mention of this in the specifications.
It works fine with a Manfrotto lite-tite umbrella adapter, but beware if you plan to use it with any other strobes.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Handy
- Value for money
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
- Outdoors
Comments about Westcott 43" White Umbrella, Collapsible:
I purchased this umbrella to get into strobist off camera photography. I like the fact that I can shoot through and also work with reflected light with the black outer cover. Its a good size umbrella (43") and very easy to carry around for outdoor strobist work. Totally recommend it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Good Price
- Solid Shaft
Cons
- Cheap Attachment screw
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
Comments about Westcott 43" White Umbrella, Collapsible:
Used two Westcott umbrellas on a recent portrait shoot and the size was not quite what I was expecting but that was my fault for not doing the math. The black cover came off easy enough but not sure how long the attachment screw on the top is going to last since it's a cheap plastic, would have appreciated aluminum. Replacing the cover is a bit of a challange but do like the option of using as a bounce and shoot through in one unit. Best attribute is the solid shaft for being able to tighten it down in the mount without worry of crushing the tubing. All in all, good product for the price but will most likely upgrade to a more substantial umbrella in the future.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
- Low Light
- Special Events
Comments about Westcott 43" White Umbrella, Collapsible:
Had an event to shoot in a lounge. Came useful.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
Cons
- Flimsy
Best Uses
- General Use
Comments about Westcott 43" White Umbrella, Collapsible:
does it's job but attaching the outer black umbrella can be tricky and it doesn't stay on the white one when folded up.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Price Value
Cons
- Cumbersome
Best Uses
- Difused Light
Comments about Westcott 43" White Umbrella, Collapsible:
I use this item as a shoot through umbrella for nice soft difused light. I use my Nikon Speedlights with this umbrella for the ultimate in portability. The removable cover has little steel caps that go over the ends of the ribs on the umbrella; they are difficult to assemble as the caps tend to pop up, even when folding for storage. Little velcro tabs would have helped tremendously by holding the cover in place while assembling; a feature I will pay a seamstress to accomplish for me.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Westcott 43" White Umbrella, Collapsible:
I am still new to lighting equipment. This umbrella was purchased for portraits after reading many reviews. I agree with the majority of them. It does work as described. The plastic screw that holds the black cover on is somewhat weak and will probable break if not being careful. However, these are things that I can work around.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Collapses Small
- Good Color Value
Cons
- Flimsy
Best Uses
- Indoors
- Low Light
- Special Events
Comments about Westcott 43" White Umbrella, Collapsible:
It works. Be careful with it and you will probably get plenty of years of use with it. I attached the black cover on the opposite side, covering the strobe and controlling MOST (not all) light. Collapses fine. Seems like the new ones have some built in reinforcement so you don't bend the umbrella rod.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Outdoors
Comments about Westcott 43" White Umbrella, Collapsible:
I use this for my indoor and outdoor portrait. The best thing about this product is that its compact and easy to use features. The downside of this product is that the design of the umbrella is not well constructed.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors
- Low Light
- Special Events
Comments about Westcott 43" White Umbrella, Collapsible:
It's a great umbrella. Compact so it's easy to always carry along. My only complaint is that storing the umbrella with the removable black cover, is kind of difficult.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Flimsy
- Weak
Best Uses
Comments about Westcott 43" White Umbrella, Collapsible:
I've owned this umbrella for a few weeks now, and it has been somewhat useful. The portability of the collapsable shaft is great, because I bike around town and can fit my light stand and umbrella inside my messenger bag with all my camera gear.
BUT
Today, the plastic cap that screws into the top of the umbrella (and secures the removable black cover) broke off. Avoid the removable cover model of this umbrella, and just get a shoot through and a reflective. I'm not stuck with just a shoot through.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-20
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What's in the Box
- One Year Manufacturer's Warranty
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