Photek SL-6000 60" Softlighter II, Diffusing Umbrella with Black Cover

2017-06-06T16:20:04

I've been using the 46" version for about 7 years and finally decided to give the 60" one a shot. As a few other people have said, the diffusion fabric isn't sized properly for the umbrella and the opening is too small. It fits snug on my 46" one, and every strobe I have put in it fit well. With this one, the fabric hangs loosely and I had to fight to get my Einstein into the sock. I still love the quality of light this thing produces, and you can't go wrong with the price. I just wish it were designed better.

BRIAN S.

2017-02-24T02:51:31

Just a wonderful source of light that's easy to set up and break down, with quality construction. Wind can be a problem, as with any umbrella outdoors, but it can take a decent beating.

RICHARD G.

2016-12-16T12:58:36

I own the 36" and the 46". The white diffusion fabric fits perfect and the front is nice and smooth when connected to the umbrellas. The 60" is a different story. When attached to the umbrella, it doesn't have a clean smooth look like the smaller versions. It looks too large and is quite baggy/saggy. It's not enough to fall off the umbrella (indoors) but it looks like it was not made for this specific sized umbrella. The over all quality of the umbrella and diffusion materials are nice. They are light weight, yet seem sturdy. Set up is quick compared to a softbox. I decided to trim the sock part that fits over the reflector. It was just too difficult to keep it from sliding in between the flash bulb and the reflector when attaching it to my DigiBees. It also bunched up and blocked the air vents for the cooling fan.

RICHARD D.

2016-10-18T12:04:14

This is a great light modifier. It produces big soft light and the price can't be beat! My go to light for portraits.

JONATHAN R.

2016-10-05T08:26:33

This is an excellent product which is very versatile and provides soft lighting for any portrait session.

STEVEN S.

2016-10-03T09:48:47

This light modifier really makes a difference and is easy to use. Works quite well even with a speedlight if the softlighter is set up near the person.

Kim S.

2014-05-05T21:00:00

The removable shaft is terrific. The 60 inch Softlighter fits into my small studio well. I get great light even with one speedlight at medium power.

WILLIAM B.

2014-04-15T21:00:00

Well made product that sets up fairly quickly and produces a soft light like no other. It's like having a giant movable source of window light at your disposal.

JESSE R.

2014-04-07T21:00:00

I read about this lighting modifier at Strobist and was skeptical about it performing anywhere near as good as an octa-box. But now I know better. with an appropriately powerful strobe attached it throws a huge amount of smooth, soft light. I use it with an old Vivitar 285 for outdoor and indoor shooting and it works great! Just be sure you have strong enough stands/booms with counterweight and sandbags if there's any chance of a breeze because it makes a pretty effective kite as well.

JR33D

2013-04-22T21:00:00

I have used this for a couple of portrait sessions since I purchase this last month and it is amazing. The efficiency and quality of light is great. It gives you the control of lighting equipment along with the large soft quality of natural light. It is HUGE and probably not the best for travel use if you are using it in studio or at home it is great...If you do take it out and damage it, it is far less then some of the competitors options so you can afford to replace it. I really like the breakdown shaft that allows you to shorten the umbrella shaft which allows you to get much closer to your subject.

JOSH M.

2013-04-01T21:00:00

First things first, this thing is huge! I use it in an empty spare bedroom/studio with regular 8-foot ceilings. Obviously you have very little maneuverability with the Softliter. It's worth the trouble though. It really does throw a wonderfully soft light. Used with an AB800 with the shaft removed, you can cozy it right up to the subject for marvelously soft, surrounding light. There is one issue for some people in that the catch lights have a dark center caused by the AB800 as well as a "tail" caused by the power cord descending from the AB800 to the floor. You can either ignore these, or if a perfectionist, go in and clone them out. I have only used this a couple of times, and both indoors. I think almost any breeze would present real problems trying to stabilize this giant sail. Also, it helps even indoors to have a fairly sturdy light stand. You don't necessarily need cinematic C-stands, but $10 stands from some outlet store are probably not going hold up well with the size of this thing. There is also some info out there that the umbrella is difficult to install. I've had no problems in that regard. I use it with the AB800's. I attach the AB umbrella reflector to the AB800, then slide the Softliter II "sock" over the reflector, being careful not to cover the ventilation slots on the AB800. Drape the diffusion screen over the AB800 and insert the shaft of the Softliter into the shaft holder. I then slip the grommets of the diffusion material over the tips of the umbrella ribs and it's done. Ending as I started, to sum up the Softliter II 60 incher, it's big and beautiful.

RANDY B.

2013-02-04T19:00:00

I use this for portraits, and liked it so much, bought a second one. Much easier to set up on a location than a 5 foot octagon soft box. I use Nikon SB 900 speed lights with Pocketwizards.

BOB S.

2013-01-06T19:00:00

Wow big size..easy to set up.. Lots of uses as a softbox, shoot through and bonce back. Great for on location. Make sure you secure your stand. This is a big wind catcher.

Wally

2012-09-16T21:00:00

I love the light I get out of this. It's size makes it great for outdoor shots. I'm a bit concerned about how strong the ribs are. The umbrella comes with a warning paper telling you to make sure it's unfurled before you open it. In an outdoor shoot with some wind, this could be a problem, but time will tell.

ALAN M.

2011-09-03T21:00:00

It's a great umbrella. It's not a softbox like many like to say but it's the next best thing. The light that falls off it is close to diffused window light. You do have to be careful with it as with any 60" umbrella but it really does a good job for the price. A softbox may be more sturdy but you are going to pay a significant amount for the box and adapter. The setup of the umbrella is also significantly easier than any softbox I have ever used. I don't think you can go wrong with this piece. easy setup, easy storage, big lighting; you just have to be gentle with it

Edgar C.

2011-08-31T21:00:00

This product put off the most beautiful light I have ever seen. I had to choose between this and a large softbox and picked the Softlighter for ease of set up but to my surprise the light that came from it was better than any soft box I have used to date.

paco

2011-03-05T19:00:00

For key or fill, this produces a nice, soft light. As with any modifier, the distance from your subject will alter the light, providing super soft warp or slightly harder shadow transitions. You can delicately light one person or throw some serious light in a small room. I use with strobes and am very pleased with the results. I have a octodome in this same size, but for me, this is faster to set up on location since it's umbrella-style. Have not used it outdoors, but will this week with an assistant; not sure I'd trust it or any modifier this size on a windy day.) It does lacks the snap of a regular softbox style modifier; but that's the difference, this is a softer light, thus its name. Great value for the price. Good to have in your arsenal!

JERRY D.

2010-09-19T21:00:00

Easy setup and works great

fotofreeze

2010-02-20T19:00:00

I already had the 46" Softlighter but decided to get this larger 60" one for full-length portraits. It casts a large light source, which is important for soft lighting. The 60" size is quite big and for adults you want more than an 8' ceiling. Ideally you should aim this about 30 degrees down. However, for full-length portraits, aiming at the head won't illuminate the legs enough -- you'll need to aim it lower. Set-up is pretty quick. It begins set-up like any other umbrella, but then you have to add the diffusion fabric. That's pretty easy and the 60" unit uses velcro to further secure the diffuser (the 46" one only uses the eyelets). However, placing a larger flash through the opening can be problematic. With most brackets and many taller flashes (like a Nikon SB-800), the flash can't look through the whole in the diffusion fabric. I had to place the entire flash unit inside the diffusion fabric, and it's a bit awkward to mount it in this way. I've seen some DIY'ers use a right-angle bracket with a shoe drilled in, so that the flash lies flat and its head points into the unit. I may have to try this. The unit seems more fragile than the 46" unit. It comes with a warning paper to shake the umbrella before opening it. They aren't kidding. The ribs have a tendency to stick in the sheaths. If you just try to force it open, the rather thin ribs can snap. Shaking the umbrella a bit helps a lot. The lighting results are good. There's less illumination on the edges and the spill control doesn't match a softbox. But the light is good.

RedmondBill

2008-03-19T21:00:00

I take pet and people portraits, and I was really afraid that the Photek Softliter would be so big that animals would be afraid. In reality, it is so big that animals just seem to think it is another piece of furniture in the studio. As for the light quality, I am very happy with it. It is truly soft light and it wraps around the subject more naturally than my previous umbrella setup. I am using it with a Nikon SB-800, and I am definitely pushing the flash to the limit. I have not yet used it in shoot-through mode. Overall, I am very pleased, but be aware that you will need a pretty powerful flash to get the best effect.

EKG

2007-10-16T21:00:00

I love my 60" Photek Softlighter. It is very similar to a softbox/octabox for light control, and it is quick to deploy and inexpensive like an umbrella. I can also remove the diffusser and use it as a regular bounce umbrella, and I can also remove the black backing to use it as a shoot thru umbrella. I can also remove half of the umbrella shaft so that I can place it even closer to my subject for super soft lighting. It is well built and I get fantastic results from it.

GemPhoto

2007-06-20T21:00:00

For the price this can't be beat. It triples as a shoot thru umbrella, silver reflective umbrella, and a large octabox! Fast setup compared to softboxes.

drisley