Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 60"
The Photek Softlighter II 60" Umbrella takes light from your strobe head or monolight, reflects it into its white panels, then softens it again with a diffuser on its way out.
This 60" size is perfect for a 1 - 2 person full length portrait, or 4x5 ft product setup. It will illuminate ~20 sq ft.
Note: This size does not include the gold and silver discs.
- Unique construction consisting of ten panels instead of the usual eight gives more reflective surface, more perfect circle of light - more flattering catch lights in the subject's eyes.
- The removable black nylon cover stops all stray and ricochet, enhancing total light control.
- With removal of its black cover and a reversal of direction, the Softlighter II becomes a "softbox" -- a shoot-through diffuser, providing light that can be used either as a main light source or as a flattering fill.
- Note: For mounting shoe mount flash units to the Softlighter II a shoe mount light stand/umbrella adapter is necessary. Shoe mount flash units must be set to Manual because the entire flash will be inside the umbrella (unless the flash unit is equipped with a remote sensor).
- Note: For strobe use only -- not for use with hot lights, or modeling lights over 250 watts.
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 84 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
97%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to setup (51)
- Lightweight (45)
- Consistent (33)
- Reliable (29)
- Attach securely (8)
Cons
- Flimsy (4)
- Short lifespan (3)
Best Uses
- Portraits (52)
- Photography (40)
- Strobe lighting (39)
- Artificial lighting (25)
- Indoors (14)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Pro photographer (36), Semi-pro photographer (24), Photo enthusiast (9), Professional (4)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (29)
Most Liked Positive Review
Great Light
Very nice light. I use this both with my Profoto strobes and my Nikon SB-900 speedlights and it works great. It was actually very easy and quick to setup. I can set this...Read complete review
Very nice light. I use this both with my Profoto strobes and my Nikon SB-900 speedlights and it works great. It was actually very easy and quick to setup. I can set this up in under 2 minutes. It takes a slight bit of fiddling to get the Nikon speed light inside, but no big deal. It's a huge surface are so I would be careful about setting it up outside if there is a wind. You need to use this with some sort of radio trigger, no TTL. If you use TTL or CLS alot then maybe look at the 24" McNally Lastolite softbox. Great price for this piece of gear.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Indispensable but finicky
Just to get this out of the way: this is one of the most versatile modifiers that you can own. Think of it as three units in one: large reflective and shoot-through umbrellas as...Read complete review
Just to get this out of the way: this is one of the most versatile modifiers that you can own. Think of it as three units in one: large reflective and shoot-through umbrellas as well as a large brolly box. When traveling and kit size is an issue, this gets brought along before my 5' octabox does.
The removable shaft is brilliant, allowing the unit to get closer to your subject when used with the diffuser.
That said, there are times when Softlighters drive me crazy. The ribs are very, very fragile, more so than on other umbrellas: they'll overlap and snap when opening the umbrella, they'll bend and snap if falling to the ground even gently. I've replaced each size of Softlighter multiple times.
The rib tips, that secure the black cover, constantly pop off and require adjustment.
This thing is several times the weight of other umbrellas of comparable size.
I don't stop buying them, but I definitely have a love-hate relationship with them.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 84 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Beautiful Light
- Easy to transport
- Great Value
Cons
- Not TTL friendly
- Not windproof
Best Uses
- Indoors
- Singles portraits
- Soft lighting
Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 60":
Very nice light. I use this both with my Profoto strobes and my Nikon SB-900 speedlights and it works great. It was actually very easy and quick to setup. I can set this up in under 2 minutes. It takes a slight bit of fiddling to get the Nikon speed light inside, but no big deal. It's a huge surface are so I would be careful about setting it up outside if there is a wind. You need to use this with some sort of radio trigger, no TTL. If you use TTL or CLS alot then maybe look at the 24" McNally Lastolite softbox. Great price for this piece of gear.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by Mike T
photo taken with Photek 60" Softlighter
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Pros
- Attach Securely
- Durable
- Good Color Value
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 60":
Makes really pretty light, and easier for me to set up than a large soft box. With smaller girl hands the large soft boxes are hard for me to put together, so this works much better for me. And above all, makes really pretty, soft lighting. It does seem a bit more fragile than a large soft box because the umbrella is so large that I can see how the bars could get bent or broken easily. But for the cost and ease of use, well worth it. Also, it does take a couple minutes more to set up than a soft box.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Nice light quality
- Portability
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 60":
This umbrella is great for environmental portraits, as it is light and portable. It's kind of an ordeal to get it all set up, given the diffusion attachment, but the results are nice. Just be very careful when opening the umbrella, as the stays could easily catch and bend or snap.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 60":
Easy to set up and break down, and creates beautiful soft light. It's compact and portable, and I like the versatility of the product.
The only downside is that it's VERY fragile and tends to break easily. Wish it were more sturdy.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Durable
- Long-Lasting
- Portable
- Removable Shaft
- Soft light
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
- Key Light
- Outdoors
- Studio lighting
Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 60":
A lot of different companies make light modifiers similar to the Photek and I've used nearly all of them. In my opinion nothing compares to this one. Every other one that I've found has a very distinct Fall off causing strange sharp lines on the edge of the frames. The fall off on this is a nice soft gradient. Did I mention this makes a GORGEOUS light? 60" is a MASSIVE light source and it to have that size modifier travel as easily as this one does is incredible.
If I'm lighting something, this thing is on one of the lights nearly 90% of the time. Seriously, just buy one.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Good Color Value
Cons
- Flimsy
Best Uses
- Indoors
Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 60":
Very wonderful light modifier, It is lightweight which is good, but you have to be careful handling it. All in all I am extremely happy with it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Good Color Value
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 60":
Used for Portraits. It's BIG so you need room to make it work. Outside you need will heavy sandbags. If there is any wind you will have problems. That said it works on my Speedlights, you need to turn up the power in strobist mode, and with the Monoblocks. It gives great soft light and lets you get really close to your subject. Take off the diffuser and you have 60 inches of silver reflective umbrella to use. One umbrella used many ways a bargin for the cost!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Durable
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Outdoors
Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 60":
If there was one modifier I had to choose this would be the one, great value for the cost.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 60":
Haven't had a chance to use it much yet, but works great. A nice soft light, amazingly compact and lightweight.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Good Color Value
Cons
- Flimsy
Best Uses
- Indoors
Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 60":
The light quality is beautiful and soft, the removable shaft is a must and works well.... I can see why people have reviewed that the umbrella arms break, you must be very careful opening and closing as they seem fragile. One thing, and this is a little thing, I don't like the appearance of the sock like opening for your flash, the knit is yellowish and doesn't have a professional appearance. But they are easy to assemble and use, for the price they can't be perfect!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 60":
Great modifier for really soft portrait light or lighting a big area. Horrible in even the slightest breeze, but quick to set up and break down. Way cheaper than equivalent softboxes.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 60":
nice and big for lighting bigger subjects and providing that wrap around light for the smaller ones. I have a 7' ceiling so this is nice to be able to hug the top. Fits great with the Elinchrome DLites although I mostly use my speedlight with Pocket wizards.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Big Soft Light
- Easy To Setup
Cons
Best Uses
- Strobe Lighting
Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 60":
Great light. I just got off the green square a year ago and my flash off the camera a month ago. See what the Softlighter II 60" can do for a rookie by searching OM Collection Telluride on YouTube. The Velcro tabs make it easier to assemble that my 42" Softlighter.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Short Lifespan
Best Uses
Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 60":
These photek umbrellas create beautiful light but they break CONSTANTLY.I feel a little resentful of having to buy them again and again, but they are very popular with our photographers and have many many uses.If Photek could modify them to make them more robust, I'd be very happy to pay a little extra rather than have to pay over and over again for replacements [...] - we're in Australia and B&H is our only option.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy To Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 60":
Using this with an Elinchrom 600RX. Great coverage and decent light for this modifier. so easy to assemble but just be aware when using outdoors as this becomes a parachute when there's a small gust of wind.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Setup
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 60":
The remobable shaft makes this one unique and worth the extra dollars.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Lightweight
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Thin thread
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 60":
This big umbrella creates a Beautiful and soft light when used with the diffusion cover, also It´s very easy to fold and carry.
I don´t like the thread on the removable shaft. Is very thin and looks like is going to spoil if I don´t remove it and put it back with care.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy To Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 60":
This is a serious beast of an umbrella. I love the light it produces, though to use it well outdoors I've had to rig up two shoe mount flashes to fire through it - uses up a lot of light. About 1/4 of the price of a 50" softbox with more versatility. I do with that there were some discs for this 60, but I understand the limitations. Otherwise I think this is perfect for what it is - better than any umbrella on the market and right up there with some of the best softboxes.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy To Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 60":
I purchased this item after reading many rave reviews. I was looking to add it to my portable lighting gear, thinking it would take up less space and be easier to set up than a large softbox. The quality of light is great, but I've found it to be quite unwieldy - this thing is big! Yes, it's still smaller than a comparable softbox, but it's hard to position anything 5 feet wide in some interior spaces. A great product - just think of what size you need before your final choice. I tend to use the 36" far more frequently just because it's so much easier to handle.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Portraits
Comments about Photek Umbrella - Softlighter II - 60":
For just a little more than a regular 60 inch umbrella, you get so much more. The removable umbrella shaft is greatest idea.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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- Original: $24.95
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What's in the Box
- 60" White Umbrella
- Nylon Diffuser
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