Umbrella recommendations? (Light modifier, not rain modifier.)

[.:Chris:.]

I'm looking to pick up another umbrella or two. I have a small (43" foldable) umbrella and a medium umbrella (not sure what size it is off hand) and I'm thinking about getting something a bit bigger. I think my options are 60" and 86" - but 86 seems like it would be huge and impossible to prevent from blowing away.

Secondly - what are the chances that I'll get enough light from an SB-800 or 600 to make a 60" umbrella useful? Anyone have any experience? I know my AB's will work, but I want to know how versatile a 60" umbrella would be.

[sfr002]

All my work is done with the 64" PLM and I love it. Haven't used it with the 600 yet cause I have no hot shoe adapter stuff. You are more than welcome to try it out.

[.:Chris:.]

Thanks Shane. Might have to take you up on that one of these days.

[Mama Got Boost??]

In for answer but also I know Jake just ordered/got 2 (?) so I know he'd be able to give you some input too

[96whiteknight]

< Waiting for PLMs to get off back-order.

[Jake2k]

I've got 2 57" brollyboxes and Jeff has a 60" umbrella and one speedlight seems to work fine, I wouldn't mind making a dual flash bracket to use in mine but that would just be for quicker recycle times.

What I like about the brollys is they act like a softbox but mount and fold up like an umbrella, the only problem is the pole sticks out kinda far so you can't get it right next to someone like you could with a normal softbox unless you cut it shorter which I'm planning on doing. They also seem to do well in the wind but I would still use a sandbag or something when shooting outside just in case.

I've used Jeff's 60" umbrella a few times so I'll tell you what I know but he could probably give you a better description. More light output then the brollys because it doesn't have the diffusion material over the front and the light is really smooth, definitely want to use sandbags when shooting outside cause the wind will carry this thing away. Also you can remove the black cover and use it as a shoot through.

Both of these things are pretty big but I've been able to use them in somewhat close quarters (living room of my apartment, 11' ceilings) and there both well worth the money but I would also suggest you keep the smaller modifiers in your bag just in case.

Here are the brollys I have: 57" Brollybox

And I believe this is what Jeff has: 60" Umbrella

[8600RPM]

I'd go with the 60", if you're wanting a versatile size.

[.:Chris:.]

Thanks Jake. I think I'm going to go for the 60" and some sandbags. My 42" is hard to keep from blowing over so I can only imagine how much trouble the 60" will be. How long is the shaft on the 60"? Is it too big to fit into a suitcase?

On a side note, why are sandbags so expensive?! Time to fashion some of my own.

[.:Chris:.]

How long is the shaft

Before someone else says it: that's what she said.

[sfr002]

For the PLM the shaft is the same size as the umbrella closed about 2' my guess. My mom made me rock bags much easier to clean then sand lol.

[Jake2k]

I use leg weights for sandbags, there easy to attach to light stands and you can pick them up from walmart pretty cheap.