Comments about Westcott Westcott 45" Optical White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover:

Without any included instructions, it took me a sec to figure out how to get the black cover off...you have to very gently pull off each silver tip on the outside edge and the black cover comes with the tip...then slides off the main staff at the top.

Was very disappointed that the diameter is 40", not 45". There's a review on the 60" product that mentions that the measurement is along the arc, not the opened diameter. Had I known, I'd have ordered the 60" ones.

Comments about Westcott Westcott 45" Optical White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover:

Happy with it so far. Softens light well. The rod that is meant to be put into an umbrella adapter is good quality (seems solid). Don't tighten too much though. Umbrella seems of decent quality for the price. There are cheaper ones available (and this one seems to be made in the same place as those) but this one has been fairly reliable and decently well made so far. For the price, I recommend it.

Comments about Westcott Westcott 45" Optical White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover:

Good quality umbrellas at a reasonable cost. The black outer umbrella covering comes off easily and installs easily. The quality is great. The protective plastic "bags" are extremely useful during storage.

Comments about Westcott Westcott 45" Optical White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover:

Bought these for a great price. They do what the more expensive umbrellas do at a much lower price. What's not to like?

Comments about Westcott Westcott 45" Optical White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover:

This is a great little umbrella. It does everything that an umbrella should do and does it well. Lightweight, so it can be used with lightweight light stands.

Comments about Westcott Westcott 45" Optical White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover:

I originally bought two of these to use with my studio lights. An unexpected wind gust, (my fault) damaged one of them so I replaced it with an identical umbrella. Why change if you were pleased with what you had?

Comments about Westcott Westcott 45" Optical White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover:

Very nice. Easy to get the backing off and on.

Comments about Westcott Westcott 45" Optical White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover:

The Westcott 45" Optical White Satin Umbrella has great build quality. I would hesitate to remove the Black Cover - I would buy a shoot through if I wanted that feature.

The umbrella would be great for a small home studio or on location using strobe units.

Comments about Westcott Westcott 45" Optical White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover:

Haven't been using it long, but as a shoot through it is great!

Comments about Westcott Westcott 45" Optical White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover:

Black cover absorbs a little too much light when bouncing. Straight thru shooting is fine. Should have a better balance of reflective to transluscent. Still a good and usefull umbrella.

Comments about Westcott Westcott 45" Optical White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover:

Westcott products are a little heavy, not to say that is a bad thing they last forever. I use them on location both indoors and often outdoors with flash. There is nothing cheap looking about them and they hold up to everything I put them through. Great Product and Adorama has the best prices.

Comments about Westcott Westcott 45" Optical White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover:

Easy to setup. Cover comes off quickly when required.

Comments about Westcott Westcott 45" Optical White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover:

Westcott umbrellas seem to be sturdier and better built than its competitors, and umbrellas are more economical than softboxes. The shaft is stronger and I like the black coating over the shaft. They are professional looking and a good value for the price. I especially like the provision of the black cover used to reduce light spill. I can remove it, and cover the open end with a black material, using the umbrella as a shoot-through, and convert it into a makeshift softbox. Westcott umbrellas seem durable, easy to use and professional. I use them because they separate the light with an even, soft, wide coverage over the subject, perfect for wedding, or studio portraits; and, they are great tools for controlling where and how your light is contained and distributed in a closed space, like softboxes, but without the hefty price tag.

Comments about Westcott Westcott 45" Optical White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover:

Can use as a reflector, or shoot through. Could be more compact.

Comments about Westcott Westcott 45" Optical White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover:

Easy to work with.

Comments about Westcott Westcott 45" Optical White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover:

I have used this umbrella for outdoor shots for fill-in flash, as well as; indoor portraits, still-life, and to shoot hummingbirds at the feeder on my back patio.
The only problem I had was when a light breeze blew it over and bent it. I knew better than to not weight it down, and I was able to straighten it out

Comments about Westcott Westcott 45" Optical White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover:

Great Product, the size is very good for use with small strobes, and strobist techniques, it´s lightweight, and reliable.

Comments about Westcott Westcott 45" Optical White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover:

Nice, I use it mostly as a shoot through. Nice smooth light just like shooting through a lastolite but less fuss to set up. I've use the black cover to flag half the light to get a bit directional, works well. This, a speedlight and a stand and you're good to go.

Comments about Westcott Westcott 45" Optical White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover:

Easy to remove or reinstall the black cover.