Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 43"
The Westcott 2001 Collapsible Optical White Umbrella provides quick and easy light diffusion. This umbrella has a unique design that allows it to collapse into a very compact package that fits easily into a location case.
- Optical White Satin umbrellas can be positioned close to the subject, and used as a shoot-through diffuser.
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 82 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
97%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Lightweight (49)
- Easy to setup (44)
- Reliable (28)
- Consistent (21)
- Durable (17)
Cons
- Short lifespan (6)
Best Uses
- Portraits (43)
- Photography (36)
- Strobe lighting (34)
- Artificial lighting (31)
- General purpose (20)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Semi-pro photographer (23), Photo enthusiast (22), Pro photographer (14), Enthusiast (8), Professional (7)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (23)
Most Liked Positive Review
A must have accessory for your flash
I bought this shoot through umbrella after reading The Strobist, amazed at what it can do to improve the light coming from a small speedlight. Turns your small flash into a relatively large light ...Read complete review
I bought this shoot through umbrella after reading The Strobist, amazed at what it can do to improve the light coming from a small speedlight. Turns your small flash into a relatively large light source for soft, professional looking light. The shoot through design has a unique benefit in that it allows you to move the umbrella in really close to the subject, which means a) less power needed from flash, b) better isolation from the background, and c) even softer lighting. It's inexpensive and works brilliantly - just don't forget the light stand and umbrella adapter to go with it.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
My first strobist setup
This is a great umbrella. It's pretty large, yet it folds up very compactly (a little longer than a foot) when you collapse it.
I've never tried any other shoot through...Read complete review
This is a great umbrella. It's pretty large, yet it folds up very compactly (a little longer than a foot) when you collapse it.
I've never tried any other shoot through umbrella before because it's my first strobist gear, but I feel like the construction is a bit flimsy. It's completely my fault for not weighing down the lightstand while shooting outdoors, but it blew over and it bent the metal connectors really bad. The metals used to construct this umbrella are very flimsy and even when I'm clamping it into my lightstand, it leaves an indentation on the rod.
Other than that, the shoot through umbrella is great. It spreads the light onto your subjects and evenly lights them.
Just be careful with how you handle this umbrella... It's very fragile.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 82 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Consistent
- Easy To Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43":
Use artificial light? You need one.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy To Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43":
Good umbrella - collapses very small, nice strong construction, great for on the go/location work.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy To Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43":
This is just what I needed. I shoot though umbrella by Westcott to give me a bigger, softer light source. Folds compact for easy storage. I liked so much, I brought two.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Strobe Lighting
Comments about Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43":
This umbrella works great. I have used it about 6 or 7 times now (i know that's not too much) and it is still in great shape. Its super cheap too.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy To Setup
- Lightweight
- Value
Cons
- Short Lifespan
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- INDOOR
- Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43":
Gave it 5 stars, because for the price you cannot beat it. Yes, it is a tad flimsy, but if you are looking for extreme durability, spend more money, duh. I can see how it may be difficult to get back in the black cover after usage, but I found twisting as much as possible (like how it was packaged) seems to work just fine. Color seems fine, nice and soft. As a relative beginner to soft light, it is quite impressive since I was on a tight budget! I listed 'Short Lifespan' as a Con, but for [$] just buy another one, or two, or three!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43":
I really enjoyed shooting with the Optical White 43" collapsible umbrellas by Westcott. As a photographer that travels, space it s major consideration when carrying equipment on the road. These umbrellas are sleek and compact and take up very little room. But what was most impressive is that they are rugged. I can be rough on equipment and traveling does not always lend itself to a handle with care environment. The umbrellas where reasonablely priced, durable, and compact. And most importantly- they perform their intended function. I am very pleased with this product and would highly recommend it to my peers.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy To Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43":
I use these on portable lighting stands with adaptors for my speedlights, and they work great. They fold up and collapse down to a very small size, making them very portable. Easy to use, and good value.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43":
Mechanisms seems nice and tight. Expect years of use.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
Comments about Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43":
Great starter diffuser for the "strobist" newbie (like myself). The low cost means little risk for someone getting into OCF.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy To Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
Comments about Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43":
The nylon pouch could be a little larger in diameter to facilitate storing the umbrella quickly.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
Comments about Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43":
Great light diffuser, compact enough to carry in any bag, costs practically nothing. So what if it isn't robust enough to last a lifetime? It's just an umbrella, after all....
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy To Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
Comments about Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43":
This shoot through umbrella works just like it's supposed to. I have only used it indoors, but I would suspect the wind to grab it quite easily. So I'm not sure about the durability. There is no way I could get the umbrella back into it's sheath though.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
Comments about Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43":
Bigger than I thought! Has the Westcott emblem branded on the umbrellas, no biggie. Come with protective cases, nice touch (if i wasn't a clutz and could get them in! :))
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
Comments about Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43":
It's an umbrella. What could go wrong?
Pros
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
- Sharp metal
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Strobe Lighting
Comments about Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43":
For this price point, this is a great umbrella. The newer design includes a solid metal insert at the end of the umbrella shaft to avoid crushing the tube in your umbrella adapter's clamp mechanism. Unfortunately, the bare metal ends of the unbrella scaffolding are still present, so cover these up to avoid injuries.
This model has only the Westcott logo on the umbrella fabric, which is a bonus over some other vendors who include a second logo. 43" Shoot through is a great size for typical shoe mount strobes paired with a compact portable light stand.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43":
Works as advertised.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Photography
- Portraits
- Weddings
Comments about Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43":
used it in a wedding shoot and the mobility of this item was very convinient for me.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43":
Works like it should and it folds up very small which to me is the biggest advantage. You can pack this up in your gear bag with no problem and it is built well. I love it, I'd back this umbrella in a knife fight.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy Setup
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43":
Expected the umbrellas to be more fragile than they were. Seems to be ruggedly built for its purposes.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43":
The reinforced tip was a needed and is a great upgrade.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-20
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What's in the Box
- 1 Year Manufacturer's Warranty
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