Westcott 2011 43-Inch Optical White Satin Collapsible Umbrella: Sleek Black Design Review

Looks good but doesn't fit my flash clamp. The description sounded like it would fit most flashes and flash clips, my Rovelight 600 is a very common light source. the stem seems too large and is hexagonal instead of round. Maybe I'm missing something. My old umbrellas fit well. Update: They took it to the hardware store, their best solution was to file down the metal rod, after which they were able to fit it into the Rovelight clamp. They made it 1/2 inch so the tip now fits and feels secure. I

I only use screens for backlighting. I needed a set quickly so I ordered this one which doesn't need the piercing option. So, this umbrella is pretty good, but the black cover is a BIG PAIN. Every time you open the umbrella, the black cover is removed from the white satin fabric. Not that bad, is it? Well, when you are in a hurry and need to attach 8 small pieces to x 2 pins, it's very frustrating. I had to glue everything myself. It's cool when you freak out 99% of the time. Otherwise look for

Yes, this umbrella is cheap. After three very careful uses, the black part that's supposed to turn it into a reflector no longer stays on the device properly unless it's fully extended. The locking mechanism, which technically still works, now reaches too far and it takes something like the tip of a handle to snap it back in properly so you can pull the stem back in for transport. I don't expect it to last very long. Despite all that, it does its job of diffusing the light very efficiently and…

I have several umbrellas; Promaster, Westcote and Calumet. They all have a very similar design when it comes to removing the reversible black cover. This one, as it folds in half, should use a different mechanism so the top of the lid doesn't just "burst" when it's folded. With a regular single umbrella, the tension of the black sleeve holds it in place, but with a double fold, the loss of tension during the fold causes the fabric to loosen and individual pins to come loose. Westcott uses a…

I'm a pro and bought this for a recent assignment that took me from Denver to Tampa to photograph three executives outdoors. I needed a quick setup and a specific screen size - this one fits a T. However, I quickly found that there are a few downsides: 1- The black outer shell only comes off after unscrewing and reattaching the end. Lid. It's attached to the end of the pole, and while you could theoretically use it as a walkway, the black will dangle somewhere along the way if you don't take…

I have a version of this Zumbrella sold by David Seiser (only it's twice the price and doesn't include a cap) and it has served me well for 2 years I carried it around the world with a couple of flashes and Justin's clip in my backpack. The compact folding size makes it ideal for those short on space, but it also means it extends more than other umbrellas available, creating a larger light source and therefore a softer light source. This tool also sets very attractive accents in the eyes…