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Photek 40" Softlighter, Diffusing Umbrella with Black Cover. image
 
(based on 5 ratings)
Brand: Photek
Located in: Flash/Lighting, Universal Light Controls, Umbrellas
Photek 40" Softlighter, Diffusing Umbrella with Black Cover.
Review Snapshot®
Avg. Customer Rating:
 
4.8 stars
(based on 5 reviews)
100% of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Customers most agreed on the following attributes:

Pros:
Consistent(4), Easy to setup(4), Lightweight(5), Reliable(4)
Best Uses:
Artificial lighting(4), Photography(5), Portraits(3), Strobe lighting(4)
Describe Yourself:
Pro photographer(3)
Was this a gift?:
No(3)
 
Versatile lighting tool
By LindsayVerified Purchaser from New London NH on 2/7/2011
Pros:
Consistent, Easy To Setup, Lightweight, Reliable
Best Uses:
Artificial Lighting, Photography, Strobe Lighting
Describe Yourself:
Pro Photographer
Was this a gift?:
No
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Photek Photek 40" Softlighter, Diffusing Umbrella with Black Cover.:

We utilize this item with two 60" Softlighter II's for architectural interiors. We use these Interfit 3-head brackets with two to three Canon 580's per umbrella. We get marvelous results with the Softlighers and they are easy to setup and place in both large and small interiors.

 
Multi purpose lighting tool
By LindsayVerified Purchaser from New London H. H. on 2/7/2011
Pros:
Consistent, Lightweight, Reliable
Best Uses:
Artificial Lighting, Photography, Strobe Lighting, Weddings
Describe Yourself:
Pro Photographer
Was this a gift?:
No
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Photek Photek 40" Softlighter, Diffusing Umbrella with Black Cover.:

We use this in conjunction with two 60" softlighter IIs with interfit three head brackets and two to three Canon 580 flashes per umbrella to light architechural interiors. The softlighters are excellent and versatile tools for our needs.

 
Great item
By stephVerified Purchaser from Odessa Tx on 1/12/2011
Pros:
Consistent, Easy Setup, Lightweight, Reliable
Best Uses:
Artificial Lighting, Photography, Portraits, Strobe Lighting
Describe Yourself:
Pro Photographer
Was this a gift?:
No
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Photek Photek 40" Softlighter, Diffusing Umbrella with Black Cover.:

I am a softbox girl, but for on location work these umbrellas work great! The set up and take down time isn't bad at all. I used to use brolly boxes for on location work, and I found that they spilled light.
These umbrellas do not do. They work great with my Alien bees.

 
Professional results
By LamarVerified Purchaser from New York City on 12/31/2008
Pros:
Consistent, Easy Setup, Lightweight, Reliable
Best Uses:
Photography, Portraits
Describe Yourself:
Semi-pro Photographer
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Photek Photek 40" Softlighter, Diffusing Umbrella with Black Cover.:

I was told by a professional photographer that Annie Leibovitch used them and that was enough for me. Setting up can be tricky in terms of inserting a choice of a gold or silver reflectors as well as the white outer shell. It seems the outer shell material is flimsy but it is pretty durable but you have to be careful.

Results: I use Nikon SB 600s and combined with the umbrella, put out more than enough light for portraits. Indeed, you will have to have them several feet from the subject to reduce the amount of whiteness on the skin just right to get the soft light affect. Much trial and error achieved professional results.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

 
Nice easy to set up softbox
By bugtrumpetVerified Purchaser from Columbus, Ohio on 8/25/2008
Pros:
Big softbox type lighting, Easy Setup, Good for off camera flash, Lightweight
Cons:
Tricky to setup w flash
Best Uses:
Artificial Lighting, Photography, Portraits, Strobe Lighting
Describe Yourself:
Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Photek Photek 40" Softlighter, Diffusing Umbrella with Black Cover.:

I ordered the 40" Softlighter to use with off camera flash units. After a couple of trys, I found a way to put things together that makes it pretty easy. The most difficult things are 1) putting that sock thingy over top of the flash unit when it is mounted in an umbrella swivel, and 2) inserting one of the two (included) reflectors (silver or gold). #1 is fixed by putting the sock over the flash unit (SB-25) before you attach it to the umbrella. #2 is just a pain. You have to insert the flexible reflector sheet under the umbrella ribs. I found that the light from the Softlighter is very soft which is what I was looking for. A single flash does a good job of filling the entire opening and seems to illuminate the diffuser pretty evenly. While it does take a minute or two to set up, IMO it is worth the time to have a very portable 40" softbox. Much easier to set up and take down than a std softbox. It comes with a nice carrying bag with space for the reflector sheets and the fabric diffuse panel. IMO, very much worth the money if you want a decent sized softbox for not too much money. I really like mine.

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