Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella (Silver)
Photography discussions are full of desert island scenarios; "if you had to choose a single lens or if you had to choose a single light..." Well if you had to choose a single light shaping tool, you might do well to pick the silver Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella.
First of all it's a really big, broad light source that wraps light around your subject yielding clean highlights and rich open shadows. But due to the special shape of the umbrella there's a unique mix of soft enveloping light with the kind of crisp detail you only get from reflectors. Put another way, if you combined a beauty dish with a softbox, you'd have a parabolic umbrella.
This umbrella has a unique design structurally as well. The shaft is double walled for strength, but it tapers to 7 mm to fit Elinchrom and other European flash heads. Instead of bendable metal, the 16 inner ribs are made of durable fiberglass and the fixed black backing ensures that all of the light output is on your subject instead of through the umbrella. The silver interior is slightly cooler in color temperature than a white umbrella and tends to focus the light into a soft but narrower field. You can also vary the light-to-umbrella distance along the shaft for a harder or softer light. This silver version is ideal for throwing the light over a long distance. Two of them, for instance could light an entire auditorium or a large graduating class. With the Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella less is definitely more.
- Measures 7.25' (2.2 m) in diameter
- Constructed using 16 durable fiberglass ribs
- Double wall shaft is engineered with double the thickness of most umbrellas
- 7 mm tapered umbrella shaft tip
- Carry case with shoulder strap is lightweight and constructed of heavy-duty nylon
| Dimensions |
Open diameter: 7.25' (2.2 m) Collapsed size: 43.6 x 3" (111 x 8.2 cm) (H x W) |
| Surface |
Exterior: black Interior: reflective silver |
| Weight | 2.5 lb (1.13 kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 18 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Durable (8)
- Good color value (8)
- Good power output (6)
- Attaches securely (4)
- Attach securely (4)
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors (13)
- General purpose (6)
- Portraits (5)
- Low light (4)
- Night time (4)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Pro photographer (11), Semi-pro photographer (5)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (17)
Reviewed by 18 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-18
Pros
- Amazing Product
- Attaches Securely
- Durable
- Everyone should have one
- Good Color Value
- Lightweight
- Long-Lasting
- Powerful
- Worth every penny
Cons
Best Uses
- Engagement Shoots
- Indoors
- Low Light
- Night Time
- Outdoors
- Portraits
- Special Events
Comments about Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella (Silver):
I shoot everything... so when I took it to an engagement shoot my clients where impressed. I have to say the lighting you get out of it used with my strobe is amazing... it's built very well and easy to put up and take down. I don't have anything negative to say about this purchase... I with I would have purchased this a long time ago.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Securely
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors
- Portraits
Comments about Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella (Silver):
Excellent umbrella for enveloping the subject with a punchy light.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Similar:
- 7' Parabolic Umbrella (White), 7' Parabolic Umbrella (White Diffusion)
Pros
- Attaches Securely
- Durable
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella (Silver):
i use this for outdoor locations for full body shots.... i bought the siler and the white ...i use the silver for industrial locations to give a harsher look and the white for softer shadows..... i shoot in outdoor locations and recomond that you buy some sandbags....because this thing is going to pick up and fly...
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Securely
- Durable
- Good Color Value
Cons
- NONE
Best Uses
- General Use
- Low Light
- Night Time
- Outdoors
- Portraits
- Special Events
Comments about Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella (Silver):
Ok wow. I've been using umbrellas for almost 20 years and thought I knew it all. It's hard to describe just how gorgeous the light from this umbrella is. Imagine perfect light to shadow fall off and soft sculpting. That's the best way I can say it. I can't recommend this enough. Kind of life changing. I'm overjoyed.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Cheap
- Lightweight
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors
- Night Time
- Portraits
Comments about Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella (Silver):
--- Non native English speaker - efforts required - Thanks ---
I bought this umbrella to complete my personal studio and for travel portability.
The difference between similar size soft boxes is subtle. The main difference, for my point of view, is the way it reacts to "light-subject" distance changes.
This modifier is very light and the construction looks good.
The weight is great for travel even if the overall length limits the portability.
I will not the afraid to use it outside. Of course, it will required sand bags to not fly away with breeze but I don't expect damage as it could be with beauty dish...
I have played a little to found the "focus point" and I found it about 40cm from the umbrella tip (opposite side of the rod tip... about 10cm inside from the umbrella's edge).
The bag+carton box is a great addition.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Durable
- Good Color Value
- Long-Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
Comments about Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella (Silver):
works great for cheap
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella (Silver):
I love the light I get from this umbrella, it seems well made and I can't wait to use it more.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy and portable
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Portraits
- Indoors
Comments about Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella (Silver):
I love it. I was able to take excellent family portraits with only one light source. The silve reflection off the parabolic umbrella provided very flattering glow to my family and friends faces during our Christmas photoshoot.
Even though I was skeptical at first because I only had one source of light. The parabolic umbrella in silve lining really came through for me. I also like how it's light and easy to transport. I was able to carry the umbrella with me why flying home. It was small and compact which fits in the overhead bin on the planes. I would recommend this for any enthusiast and professional who had minimal space while traveling.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Powerful
Cons
- Flimsy
Best Uses
- Indoors
Comments about Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella (Silver):
I like the gradients with the parabolic umbrella. Since it's a more direct beam of light the fall off from light to shadow is shorter.
Using a reflector brings the umbrella out further from the light and the stem bends. Using a strobe "bare bulb" or with no reflector brings the umbrella closer to the support point and solves the bending stem issue.
The silver is one stop more powerful than the white one.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors
Comments about Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella (Silver):
I love the effects achieved by this product- thanks!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors
Comments about Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella (Silver):
This puts out great light. The downside is that it is so heavy it really strains the mounting on my light heads to hold it. I think the price is great value. If you are on a budget it would be a good alternative to a big light box and 1/5 or less the cost.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Good Color Value
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
Comments about Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella (Silver):
This a product that does everything the manufacturer claims and more.
The spectral light quality is amazing, the light spread comes out even and beautiful, and there is little to no light spill behind it.
I was a little wary of umbrella bar itself. You can be sure is as strong as Wescott claims. Expect it to bend a little - a 7ft umbrella has some heft - but nothing to worry about.
Be very aware of wind when you're setting this umbrella up & always use sand bags. I left one window open in the studio and that alone was enough to rattle and shake the stand. Just remember, you're using the child of a sail and a parachute. Try not to go airborne!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Color Value
Cons
- Plastic tip cracks
Best Uses
- General Use
Comments about Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella (Silver):
Produces an excellent lighting effect for such a minimal price!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Well made
- Well Priced
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
Comments about Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella (Silver):
I use it for portrait photography. It is very well made, weighs little, and is well priced.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Durable
- Long-Lasting
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
- Low Light
- Night Time
Comments about Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella (Silver):
It is a known fact that light is key to every picture. Being able to shape or modify light is the first step in producing breathtaking art. To produce the best light it's important to use the largest modifiers to create soft even lighting and Westcott has now given us a superior, durable, portable, and economical piece of serious hardware.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Durable
- Good Color Value
- Long-Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors
- Low Light
- Outdoors
- Special Events
Comments about Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella (Silver):
Beautiful piece of gear.
It arrived in a hard tube, to protect it during transportation. It came assembled, and was no problem at all setting up.
The 7mm tapered tip, does not fit the Elinchrom native umbrella sleeve, so initially I had to use the 3'rd party mount, which is a little further down the light fitting. This unfortunately does not centralize the parabolic to the light though.
I ended up re-drilling out the native sleeve to accommodate the shaft, seen as though I dont use any other Elinchrom modifiers which use this fitting.
I tried it during a shoot, for the first time over the weekend, and the results are spectacular.
The product build is hardy, and is a very high quality. I would recommend this modifier to anyone, whom has the space to use it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Good Color Value
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
Comments about Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella (Silver):
Perfect for fashion shoots.
You can't get anything bigger and/or better for under 100 USD. End of story ;-)
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Big light source
- Good Color Value
- Wide coverage
Cons
- NONE
Best Uses
- Indoors
- Small and large groups
- Special Events
Comments about Westcott 7' Parabolic Umbrella (Silver):
Creates one great big soft light source even with a 580ex II.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-18
Lights
-
- Original: $349.90
- Save: $78.60
- Price: $271.30
Brackets
-
- Original: $24.95
- Save: $2.49
- Price: $22.46
Light Controls
- Price: $29.90
Stands & Support Equipment
-
- Original: $35.00
- Save: $7.19
- Price: $27.81
-
- Original: $19.99
- Save: $2.00
- Price: $17.99
Bags & Cases
-
- Original: $86.90
- Save: $21.65
- Price: $65.25
- Price: $44.95
Grip & Gaffer Gear
- Price: $16.95
What's in the Box
- Carrying Case
- 1 Year Manufacturer's Warranty
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