Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 43"

  • Price: $19.90
  • B&H # WEU43WS
  • Mfr# 2001

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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
Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43"
 
4.5

(based on 82 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (52)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (22)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (6)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (2)

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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5.0

43 UMBRELLA (OPTICAL WHITE SATIN)

By Fuzzy

from Charlotte, NC

About Me Photo Enthusiast

Verified Buyer

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

    Share this review

     
    5.0

    Nice collapsible umbrella

    By jamoore07

    from Columbia, SC

    About Me Pro Photographer

    See all my reviews

    Verified Buyer

    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

      Share this review

       
      5.0

      Compact and Easy

      By tu-sweet

      from Florida

      About Me Pro Photographer

      Verified Buyer

      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

        Share this review

         
        4.0

        Great Buy For The Price

        By CB

        from Salt Lake City, UT

        About Me Semi-pro Photographer

        Verified Buyer

        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

            Share this review

             
            5.0

            Great umbrella for the price

            By fotojennik

            from Pittsburgh, PA

            About Me Casual Photographer

            Verified Buyer

            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

            Share this review

             
            5.0

            An awsome value for a good product...

            By Pat's Photography

            from Atlanta, GA

            About Me Pro Photographer

            Verified Buyer

            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

              Share this review

               
              5.0

              High quality, very portable

              By smill

              from Santa Fe, NM & Singapore

              About Me Semi-pro Photographer

              Verified Buyer

              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

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                5.0

                Nice and sturdy.

                By Sue B MI

                from Grand Rapids, MI

                About Me Photo Enthusiast

                Verified Buyer

                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

                  Share this review

                   
                  5.0

                  Compact, inexpensive, essential

                  By ggweci

                  from Stouffville, ON, Canada

                  About Me Photo Enthusiast

                  Verified Buyer

                  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

                    Share this review

                     
                    4.0

                    Very easy to pack and carry.

                    By ch_photog

                    from Salt Lake City, UT

                    About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                    Verified Buyer

                    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

                      Share this review

                       
                      5.0

                      It's an umbrella

                      By OldBlueDoc

                      from Richmond, VA

                      About Me Photo Enthusiast

                      Verified Buyer

                      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

                        Share this review

                         
                        4.0

                        Works fine

                        By Mike

                        from San Diego, CA

                        About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                        Verified Buyer

                        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

                          Share this review

                           
                          5.0

                          Does the job and well made

                          By Rob

                          from GTA, Canada

                          About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                          Verified Buyer

                          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

                            Share this review

                             
                            5.0

                            Great

                            By Shahab

                            from Toronto, Canada

                            About Me Photo Enthusiast

                            Verified Buyer

                            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?

                              Share this review

                               
                              5.0

                              Compact, cheap, does what it should

                              By The Ramen God

                              from Portland, OR

                              About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                              Verified Buyer

                              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

                              Share this review

                               
                              3.0

                              Not bad for the price

                              By Dave

                              from Chicago

                              About Me Photo Enthusiast

                              Verified Buyer

                              Pros

                              • Easy Setup
                              • Lightweight

                              Cons

                                Best Uses

                                  Comments about Westcott Collapsible Umbrella - Optical White - 43":

                                  Works as advertised.

                                  • Was this a gift?:
                                  • No

                                  Share this review

                                   
                                  5.0

                                  excellent

                                  By TOPGUN

                                  from RIVERSIDE, CA

                                  About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                                  Verified Buyer

                                  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

                                    Share this review

                                     
                                    5.0

                                    Good umbrella

                                    By Mike

                                    from Connecticut

                                    About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                                    Verified Buyer

                                    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

                                      Share this review

                                       
                                      4.0

                                      Good

                                      By Trey

                                      from Richmond, KY

                                      About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                                      Verified Buyer

                                      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

                                        Share this review

                                         
                                        5.0

                                        Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Sa

                                        By Smiley

                                        from Charlotte NC

                                        About Me Photo Enthusiast

                                        Verified Buyer

                                        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

                                          Share this review

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                                          What's in the Box

                                          Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 43"
                                          • 1 Year Manufacturer's Warranty
                                           
                                           
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