Westcott Umbrella - Soft Silver, Collapsible Compact - 43"
The Westcott 2002 Collapsible Soft Silver Umbrella provides quick and easy light softening with a slightly harder look than a white umbrella. This umbrella has a unique design that allows it to collapse into a very compact package that fits easily into a location case.
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 33 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
94%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Lightweight (19)
- Easy to setup (18)
- Reliable (11)
- Consistent (7)
- Compact (5)
Cons
- Flimsy (3)
- Weak (3)
Best Uses
- Strobe lighting (15)
- Portraits (14)
- Artificial lighting (11)
- Indoors (8)
- Photography (8)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (10), Semi-pro photographer (10), Pro photographer (5), Professional (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (8)
Most Liked Positive Review
Good alternative to softboxes
This is a good portable umbrella to take on location photography. If you are a Strobist, then this is a good item to have in your arsenal.
The light output has more...Read complete review
This is a good portable umbrella to take on location photography. If you are a Strobist, then this is a good item to have in your arsenal.
The light output has more contrast than a white diffused umbrella or softbox. Personally, I like the harsher look than a diffused soft light. It is also more efficient than a white umbrella (which loses a few stops) so you don't lose too much light when you use your hot-shoe flash.
Lastly, it folds nicely to a small & compact umbrella. Small enough to put inside a coat pocket. However, in order to make it portable the design requires more bending joints. You have to be careful when you fold the umbrella or you can permanently bend the metal parts. If I were to complain anything about these umbrellas is that they could have used stronger parts for these.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Beautiful light, fragile design
The light that these guys put out is really impressive...the soft silver finish ends up producing a look closer to a traditional white umbrella with just a touch more pop, really flattering and...Read complete review
The light that these guys put out is really impressive...the soft silver finish ends up producing a look closer to a traditional white umbrella with just a touch more pop, really flattering and versatile.
However the design means the support ribs are slimmer than many and bear more tension, making these very, very fragile. Most umbrellas can survive being knocked over lightly at least once, whereas I've lost two of these to the most gentle falls. Even a very light wind will have one of these bobbing around frighteningly, much more so than sturdier umbrellas with heavier construction. At this price they're almost disposable, but I'd still think twice about using them in even the slightest breeze.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 33 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
- Low Light
- Night Time
- Outdoors
- Special Events
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Soft Silver, Collapsible Compact - 43":
Purchased to use on light stand,with wireless flash and pocket wizards.
Very happy with this item.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Easy to break
- Weak
Best Uses
- General Use
- Low Light
- Outdoors
- Special Events
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Soft Silver, Collapsible Compact - 43":
This umbrella makes beautiful light, softer than silver but more crisp look than white umbrella. The shaft is cranky, but workable. The thing is that the umbrella is really easy to break after a few shoots. The cap that holds the umbrella fabric is really easy to break, and so is the latch.
The real strength of this umbrella is being collapsible, but if you are carrying at least one light stand, that advantage is almost immediately gone. I would recommend Creative Light umbrella, as it is a bit better built than any of the Westcott umbrella.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy To Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portable lighting
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Soft Silver, Collapsible Compact - 43":
Unique double folding umbrella for the ultimate in portability. I use these umbrellas as part of a mobile lighting kit with Nikon Speedlights for the ultimate in portability.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Soft Silver, Collapsible Compact - 43":
As far as portability goes this series of umbrellas can't be beat. Very lightweight, easy to expand and collapse. Smooths the light out nicely.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Soft Silver, Collapsible Compact - 43":
This is a "soft silver" umbrella, but near as I can tell "soft silver" is synonymous with "barely reflective." The interior is a dull gray and the flash loses several stops of light vs. shoot through or a more reflective silver umbrella. It's a shame really, I like the compactness of the Westcott "Collapsible" umbrellas and was hoping for a nice reflective umbrella to compliment my shoot-through umbrellas.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Strobe Lighting
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Soft Silver, Collapsible Compact - 43":
Cheap, good quality, small and light. The only con I can think of is that it would be good to get it with the reinforced tip that some of Westcott's umbrellas are now shipping with.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
- Hollow shaft
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Soft Silver, Collapsible Compact - 43":
Performs well and holds up to wind. No complaints about output.
I give 3 out of 5 stars because the shaft is hollow and the umbrella is difficult to fit into the storage sleeve.
I will by more, as the quality and size of the umbrella are hard to find in any other brand. I would like to see a solid metal shaft in future versions though.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy Setup
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Soft Silver, Collapsible Compact - 43":
This is great in terms of ease of use
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact
- Consistent
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Daily Functions
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Soft Silver, Collapsible Compact - 43":
I use this for quality Portraiture, it's light weight, compact and easy to use.
Haven't had a problem with it, it rates an A+ in my book.
Pros
- Compact
- Lightweight
Cons
- Sharp ribs
- Weak hollow pole
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Soft Silver, Collapsible Compact - 43":
This umbrella has a special place due to its compactness and great match with Manfrotto Nano stand for travel. However, there are 2 major cons which Westcott should address. The metal tips are sharp and the pole is hollow and weak. To address the problems, the tips were filed smooth and a 7mm hex key was hammered inside the pole.
Pros
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Soft Silver, Collapsible Compact - 43":
This is my first umbrella and I wasn't sure how big I would need. The size seems to be big enough to light up potraits with about 6 people from the waist up. I have not tried full body length shots yet, but I believe it will be big enough.
Pros
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Soft Silver, Collapsible Compact - 43":
Wanted something lite and compact. These sould fit the bill just fine.
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Soft Silver, Collapsible Compact - 43":
These are awesome, small enough and light enough to be easily carried about to locations, fast to deploy and just works.
Pros
- Compact
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Soft Silver, Collapsible Compact - 43":
Use the Umbrella with My SB-600 and SB-900 to tame the harsh light. Works well.
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Soft Silver, Collapsible Compact - 43":
I use this as part of a strobist kit. While I'm prepared to shop for bargains on things like stands and clamps, an umbrella is part of the system that creates the quality of the light you use. So while there may be cheaper umbrellas, this one creates great light, is well made, and is reasonably priced.
Pros
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Soft Silver, Collapsible Compact - 43":
this product is well-built, strong...actually, i ordered the wrong one (wanted to get a removable black cover). But, I love the weight (a little heavier than I expect), easy to storage...therefore, I decide to keep this one.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Soft Silver, Collapsible Compact - 43":
Works well, packs small. Be careful to not crush the hollow rod.
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Soft Silver, Collapsible Compact - 43":
Can't complain about this umbrella. Super handy and portable, and the price is incredible. Will be getting another one of these soon.
Pros
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Soft Silver, Collapsible Compact - 43":
Compact but opens to a useful size. Well made.
Pros
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Soft Silver, Collapsible Compact - 43":
As good as an umbrella will get, it's compact and small, it sets up easy. Strobist worthy. I can't comment on durability so far, but it's been a month and it hasn't broken yet.
Displaying reviews 1-20
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What's in the Box
- 1 Year Manufacturer's Warranty
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