Just arrived today, seems to do what it says - opens and closes like an umbrella. There are no instructions but if you know how to use an umbrella you will be fine. external diffusion. My only concern so far is that the actual size is 2 inches smaller than advertised, this may seem out of place, but that extra 2 inches would be nice since it says so. but for $50 you really can't complain. The next best thing I found on the internet costs three times as much as this one. You really can't lose here.