I bought this umbrella to use at a wedding with my slave flashes. It felt a little flimsy in terms of construction, but more so than any I've used. I think it can last for a while with proper care. The black cover has been thought through down to the smallest detail and is easy to remove. When in place, it blocks most but not all light and makes the umbrella more reflective. At the wedding I used it for formal party photos and large family portraits. It worked great for diffusing the light and softening it. A small hot spot near the center of the screen, so I would say that the next gen might need to pay a little more attention to the material in the center. Overall I have to say it was great value for money.