Using barebulb hot shoes with umberellas

<p>Hey,</p>

<p>Possibly a very rudimentary question, but I have just acquired a couple of the original Thyristor Sunpak 120J hot shoe flashes that a little research suggests are well regarded, particularly for the price (I got my 2 for £150).</p>

<p>I'm wanting to use them to fire into umbrellas, but having never used bare bulb speedlights before am curious about the set up for this - namely, do you leave the reflectors on the flashes, or take them off and just fire the unmodified bare bulb into the umbrella for best results?</p>

<p>Any advice gratefully received! </p>

<p> </p>

<p>Generally, you leave the reflectors in place and aim them into the center of the umbrella. That gives you the softest and most controllable source. Not that bare bulb isn't useful sometimes, especially by itself, in a smaller, white toned room. Ideally, when using an umbrella you want the light to come from the broad aspect of the insides of the umbrella. Using the reflector helps focus the beam and limit spillage. Often the white umbrella is the softest light. Some umbrellas have silver or gold inserts you can add to the inside surface to up the contrast slightly or shift to a warmer tone. Some umbrella also allows you to shoot through them toward the subject for a different look. </p>

<p>Generally, you leave the reflectors in place and aim them into the center of the umbrella. That gives you the softest and most controllable source. Not that bare bulb isn't useful sometimes, especially by itself, in a smaller, white toned room. Ideally, when using an umbrella you want the light to come from the broad aspect of the insides of the umbrella. Using the reflector helps focus the beam and limit spillage. Often the white umbrella is the softest light. Some umbrellas have silver or gold inserts you can add to the inside surface to up the contrast slightly or shift to a warmer tone. Some umbrella also allows you to shoot through them toward the subject for a different look. </p>

<p>Reflector in place, set it to Wide if you can (? not sure if the Sunpak can be set like this) Your flash will need to be at the full length of the umbrella shaft for anything like even coverage.</p>

<p>Ok thanks all, very useful indeed.</p>

<p>Louis, I just got a silver umberella to go with the white one which I am looking forward to experimenting with.</p>

<p>Ian - the Sunpak does indeed have a wide setting so will give that a go. Just curious when you say 'Your flash will need to be at the full length of the umbrella shaft for anything like even coverage' - so basically as far away from the umbrella on the stand as possible? <br>

That's actually another thing I had been curious about, how close (or not) the flash should be to the umberella itself.</p>

<p> </p>

 

 

 

 

 

 

Normally you would like the light to be fully striking the inside surface of the umbrella without wasting extra light by spilling

around the edge. This gives you the largest sized source and greatest efficiency in using your strobe for that.

 

The best way to determine what you are getting is to take a picture of the umbrella from where your subject would be.

Properly exposed (i.e. Not blown out), this gives you a good indication of how your light source is working, if there are

hotspots, etc.

<p>A barebulb set to Wide at the full extent of the umbrella shaft will give you even coverage of the umbrella.</p>

<p>The geometry of umbrellas is pretty much the same unless you have a removable shaft. The position of the flash on the shaft is pretty much the same for any umbrella too.</p>