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 88 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
98%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Lightweight (55)
- Easy to setup (33)
- Reliable (32)
- Consistent (24)
- Durable (17)
Cons
- Short lifespan (6)
Best Uses
- Portraits (49)
- Photography (40)
- Strobe lighting (36)
- Artificial lighting (33)
- Weddings (22)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Semi-pro photographer (25), Photo enthusiast (23), Pro photographer (16), Enthusiast (8), Professional (7)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (29)
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.
Reviewed by 88 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy To Set Up
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 43":
Bounce it, shoot through it or use it as a reflector in a pinch, this is a fantastic tool. I lost my first one at a wedding and I replaced it immediately without a second thought.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 43":
Stick a flash on one side and receive yummy, diffused light on the other. What's not to like? It also folds down neatly and includes a cover. Another couple reasons to like it more. Also, the shaft isn't hollow. I love this umbrella.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy To Set Up
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 43":
I use this in indoor and on-location portraits.
It packs small, so it's very easy to keep a couple of these in the lights bag. Great for taking a one to two light setup where you are limited in the amount of gear you can carry.
The construction is not heavy duty, so I would not set this up in high wind conditions.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Photography
- Portraits
- Weddings
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 43":
Works great for the price. Plus I like how the shaft is already reinforced with metal at the end. Some are hollow and tend to dent when attached to umbrella brackets.
Light transmission is sufficient for my use with speedlights on location. And it seems to transmit even more light than the bounce-umbrella-with-removable-outer-shell that I've been using for the past year.
Very compact size.
My only complaint is that the material is somewhat stiff. I wish it were softer.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 43":
Simple but reliable.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 43":
This is a great companion to the portable light stands I recently purchased. I often need to bring lighting to different locations and the small size is a big plus. Great for the price.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy To Set Up
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 43":
Use artificial light? You need one.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy To Set Up
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 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 Set Up
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 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 Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 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 Set Up
- Lightweight
- Value
Cons
- Short Lifespan
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- INDOOR
- Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 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 Set Up
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 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 Set Up
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 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 Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 43":
Mechanisms seems nice and tight. Expect years of use.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 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 Set Up
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 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 Set Up
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 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 Set Up
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 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 Set Up
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
Comments about Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 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 Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 43":
It's an umbrella. What could go wrong?
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »
Stands & Support Equipment
-
- Original: $24.95
- Save: $2.49
- Price: $22.46
- GBP 14.34
Backgrounds
-
- Original: $99.99
- Save: $10.00
- Price: $89.99
- GBP 57.46
Light meters
- Price: $329.00
- GBP 210.06
Tutorials
- Price: $19.95
- GBP 12.74
What's in the Box
- 1 Year Manufacturer's Warranty
Why Shop at B&H
Make your online shopping trip personal with our online Live Chat representatives. You can easily reach an in-house expert while browsing our site for your shopping needs. We have the most highly-trained staff in the industry who are pros in their fields, and their professional expertise will help you get the most from your purchase.
Place your domestic order with us for shipment via any UPS, FedEx Economy, or FedEx Priority shipping methods by 4 PM ET Monday through Thursday or 11 AM ET Friday and your order will be shipped that day. Visit our Shipping Delivery Times page for further details. Delivery times are subject to payment verification.
We appreciate your purchase from us, and we understand that sometimes the products you buy don’t turn out to be the right choice for you. We guarantee your peace of mind with our 30-day return policy. With no standard restocking fee and few restrictions, you’ll enjoy a return process as easy as shopping with us. Please visit our Return Policy page for further details.
We’ve made iPhone and Android mobile apps available for your service and shopping convenience. Use filtered search to find and purchase almost any item we sell and ship worldwide. Download product manuals and guides for many popular items. See high-resolution product images in close-up detail. Manage wishlists and view order history. Visit our Mobile Apps page to download.
See sample Newsletter
Help
Company Information
B&H Resources
