SB-800 with an umbrella

[dale_golemon]

Does anyone have any experience with using an SB-800 or SB-600 with umbrellas?

I found this kit at B&H

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=details_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=425220&is=REG&addedTroughType=accessory_detail&addedTroughValue=323882_USA

 

Thanks,

Dale

[frank_skomial]

It is called "Impact Digital Flash" by the vendor, but really has little or nothing to do with any digital flash. You can place any flash in the umbrella, including SB-800.

 

Umbrellas are usually used with much more powerful flashes that include modelling lights, but 2 of SB-800 could work, if you are willing to use higher ISO, open lens wider and give up some DOF, or move the umbrellas very close to the subject.

[mark_sirota1]

Yes. See <a href="http://www.strobist.com/">http://www.strobist.com/</a>.

[leicaglow]

I use my SB-800 with soft boxes ocassionally. BTW, I recently bought some Impact scrims with stands. I was very surprised by the great quality for so little money!

[Ed_Ingold]

You can use an SB-800 with an umbrella, but the light is a little weak. I get f/5.6-8 at 5 feet and ISO 400. It works just fine for head shots.

[bwcombs]

The SB800s work great with small umbrellas. I use them for product shots, portraits and

anywhere I need some light.

 

http://www.brentcombsdesign.com/portraits7.html

 

http://www.brentcombsdesign.com/portraits6.html

 

http://www.brentcombsdesign.com/portraits2.html

[twmeyer]

That's a pretty good price, if the equipment is sturdy. I note that the collapsed length is 27 inches, and that's pretty good. I am skeptical, though, that the entire kit weighs only 2.4 lbs, so I suspect that is the weight of one stand.<p>One SB800 works fine in limited applications... most people who want to use these very small but sophisiticated lights as their sole lighting tools, end up buying 3 or more, and at that point (dollar and power), I prefer Lumedyne.<p> That said, I keep a small stand and a 30" umbrella in a sling bag in my car all the time, and an SB800 in my camera bag. If you learn how to use the remote infrared trigger in the pop up of your late model Nikon to fire the SB (block the preflash with a bit of IR filter), it's a very light and appealing (and wireless!) kit indeed... t<div></div>

[aaron l]

I bought a hotshoe umbrella holder at B&H, about $20US. It works fine.

[dale_golemon]

Just a little follow up, I got the kit and the equipment and is made up of better quality than one might expect (not professional but good) and the light off the umbrella with SB?s works fine for small single portrait, it is probably lacking for group.

 

Dale

[wentbackward]

This is a useful thread. Dale thanks for adding the follow up.