Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I ordered this kit about a week or two ago and the shipping said it wouldn't arrive till February 18th. I was a little bummed about how long I'd have to wait, but it ended up coming on February 4th!
Let me describe my level of photographic experience as to put this in context: I'm an "amateur" photographer, I've been shooting for a year and in that year I have poured over hundreds of photography books and thousands of articles. Over this past summer I devoted myself entirely to photography. I have a D300, SB900, 50mm f/1.8, 18-70 f/3.5-5.6, and 55-200. And now for the review!
I have been experimenting with off-camera flash for a while and I've read a lot about softbox vs umbrella vs diffusion panels/etc and they each definitely have their own niche. If you are like me and are just getting into the "strobist" frenzy, this kit is PERFECT for you. A stand will run you ~$50, an umbrella mount ~$20, and the umbrella itself is typically ~$20-40. That's about $100.
For 1/3 the price you get 4/5 the results.
The umbrella is pretty small as far as umbrellas typically go, but I can't really complain; the light is still very very soft. The umbrella mount feels cheap, but anyone who has any respect for their equipment shouldn't have any difficulty making it last. The stand is pretty light and extends up higher than I'll ever need.
Unless there is absolutely NO wind whatsoever, I would not recommend this kit for outdoor use (unless you have an assistant bracing the stand for you). Everything is so light that even a strong breeze would probably tip it over. That being said, you can sprint by this thing indoors without having to worry about it falling over.
FINAL VERDICT:
If you aren't sure if strobist photography is for you, or you simply want a cheap "entry-level" umbrella kit, buy this. If you have a real job and can drop over $100 for a manfrotto stand and a wescott umbrella then do that.
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UPDATE: So it's been six months since I first bought this stand and I thought it'd be good to post a follow-up.
While working outside taking photos for a friend, I was using a cinderblock that had been cut such that it would perfectly brace the stand-- despite the fact that it wasn't particularly windy outside. When I moved the stand I forgot to move the brace with it. Sure enough, after a minute or two the stand fell umbrella-first into the dirt/hard pack snow mix. My SB900 stayed attached to the mount and stayed dry, the stand was undamaged, and the mount was in perfect condition. The only damage to any of the gear was that one spoke of the umbrella was bent slightly out of position. The umbrella still works perfectly and to be honest I forget that it's "broken" most of the time.
I was so pleased with these stands that when I bought another strobe I picked up another one of these stands. It came today, and I am equally impressed by its quality.
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CowboyStudio Speedlite Flash Kit Photography Photo Studio Flash Mount Umbrellas KitLight stands : Versatile, Hardworking & Lightweight; Black anodized aluminum; Max height is 6.1 Ft; Stable & Quick Setup.White Soft Umbrella: This translucent umbrella is a great addition to your studio setup. This umbrella works well to diffuse the light from any flash creating a soft even light for your subject. The lack of a black backing give this umbrella the ability to flash through the umbrella if needed and simulate the effects of a soft-box. Portability is a plus for location shots. This size is good for head shots and small to medium sized products.
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