Shoot Through Umbrellas

[kundalini]

So basiclly I have purchased a dud outfit, despite the reviews from cutomers saying it worked, as I said I have no previous experience with studio lighting.

I think that is dependant on your subject matter. For static subjects, I presume they are quite effective, but then, I've never used continuous lighting.

 

[picky54]

Well I thank you all for the help, wife is calling me for supper anyother advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tentwo]

Ok Derrel, could you expand on that for me please

Well...those just do not put out "that much light"...they typically require relatively long shutter speeds at moderate ISO values...an example might be ISO 320 at 1/15 second at f/5.6...

Also I have seen many individuals do a 2 or 4 light setup behind the umbrellas to get enough light from a distance. I personally use strobes.

I was also wondering was is the color temp on that bulb and how much did you spend on it? I know doing something cheap always sounds good, but in the long run has always came and bit me on the butt, everytime.

 

[KmH]

Use 2 500w CFLs instead. 2 105w CFLs don't deliver very much light.

Also you can get a shoot through umbrella a lot closer to your subject than you can a reflective umbrella.
Convertible umbrellas can be used both shoot-through or reflected. Impact Convertible Umbrella - White Satin with Removable Black Backing - 45"

Most Cowboy Studios gear is not worth what it costs.

Last point, those 210 watts (2x105w) are delivered in 1 second. If you use a shutter speed shorter than 1 second, like 1/100, your photo doesn't get to use all 210 w.
Your SB-600 delivers a full power flash in about 1/900 of a second - see page 88 of the SB-600 user's manual.

 

[tentwo]

So basiclly I have purchased a dud outfit, despite the reviews from cutomers saying it worked, as I said I have no previous experience with studio lighting.

What did you buy and where?

Do a little research before buying. If you are looking for a great stobe for the money and have versitility, I have 3 of these and they are great for all situtations. And as a beginner, these will help you learn. Also these allow for you to connect to external battery and pc sync. These are highly inexpensive and work outstanding. If you can return that setup, I would! Just my opinion.

Amazon.com: Yongnuo YN 560 Standard Hot Shoe Flash: Electronics

 

[cgipson1]

They will work for non-moving objects... period! Where you can use a long shutter speed! If you can, return them! Get some inexpensive monolights.. or speedlights..

I hate it that they advertise those cheap CFL kits to people that don't know what they are buying... but you see it all over. Just remember you get what you pay for....

 

[Village Idiot]

You can purchase a decent flashpoint monolight from adorama for about $100. That would give you a ton more light. Metric ton.

 

[12sndsgood]

from the quality of light stand i picked up from cowboy studio i wouldn not recomend them to anyone.

 

[cgipson1]

from the quality of light stand i picked up from cowboy studio i wouldn not recomend them to anyone.

+10000 on this! Junk.... although I am speaking second hand, since I have never purchased any Cowboy Studio Stands. The two ultra simple flash brackets I did try, fell apart (and how hard is it to build a flash bracket? I think they make their rivets from metallic wax or something, lol!)

 

[KmH]

Pretty much everything Cowboy Studio sells is cheap, very low quality, won't last very long - gear.

You usually get what you pay for. If it's a lot cheaper than other similar gear, expect less performance, quality, and durability from the cheap stuff.

 

[Mike_E]

You are getting 8 hotspots on the umbrella from not having enough light to fully illuminate the umbrella (much less anything else).

Chalk it up to experience and go with the above advice on a monolight.