Blow-up diffuser/reflector

[keith_van_hulle1]

About 25+ years ago there was a company that made small, collapsible

flash diffuser/reflectors. Looked like an oval beach ball (and you

blew them up just like one). Made out of the same type of material,

one side would be clear, the other silerved (or gold, or white). You

blew it up, turned your flash backwards and attached the clear side

to the head with rubber bands or velcro. Flash would shoot through

the clear and relfect on the opposite inside. Amazingly portable with

minimal space requirements. Throw in your bag and forget it's there

until you need it. Anyone remember the company name and if they're

still made?

[jimstrutz]

No, but I've got one. I wonder if there's a name on it? Far as that goes, I wonder where I put it? :)

[carl photography]

I also lost mine, which I think was a shoot-through diffuser model rather than a reflector.

It attached with a soft rubber strap, which rotted away. Was it called "Airbrella?"

 

"Brandon's Dad"

[fmueller]

Altrex is one name under which they were marketed. See eg eBay item number: 7500527313.

[picturesque]

Photoflex also makes a blow up mini softbox. Both the one under discussion and the Photoflex unit suffer the same kind of deterioration that beach balls do--the vinyl and the sealing of seams comes apart and/or becomes sticky, rendering the unit useless. They will not last years and years. I still have one but it doesn't work anymore.

[susan_mix]

It is Air-Brella, "New Ideas Inc., Skokie, IL". Am sure they aren't around any more. I still have mine. Beautiful soft lighting. Replaced the rotten rubber bands with string a long time ago. Was just looking for a similiar replacement. Found Gary Fong's Lightsphere.