Customer Reviews

Photek Softlighter II, 46" Umbrella with Diffuser.

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I use mostly hotshoe speedlites - they're easy to use, portable and not terribly expensive. The problem comes when you try to do stuff with that light - most accessories for speedlites are either small/compact (and don't do much but ARE expensive) or are big and bulky (softboxes with grids, etc..)

That's when I came across this one - looking for something more than just an umbrella as a light modifier, but not much more in terms of price or size, I found the Softlighter - a neat little accessory that opens/closes like an umbrella, fits into the same size bag as an umbrella, but has a diffuser panel!

This is basically a reflective umbrella with spokes on the corners - you pop it open and then attach the white diffuser cover on top of the spokes, and then stick your speedlite or larger flash inside. Sounds easy, but it takes some time to get used to - I would have liked for the diffuser panel to be attached to the umbrella (while it's not too hard of a process, it takes a bit of time to get used to, especially if you're setting up/tearing down the system. Also trying to navigate it to get the flash/stand pointing inside the softlighter is a bit tricky (it uses a "sock" in the center, so you have to work the flash into fitting inside there -- this also makes it difficult to change power levels.

Another problem here is getting the flash straight-on -- the sock is in the middle of the unit (where the umbrella-pole goes), and most hotshoe flashes (especially with wireless transmitters) stand 6+ inches high, which will set it off balance from the center. I fixed this by using an umbrella adapter (to hold the umbrella) with a micro ballhead on top of it (to angle the flash pointing to the center of the softlighter). Not the easiest or cheapest solution, but it works.

I found the light spread to be nice from a 580EXII (and even the smaller flashes like a YN460II). I went for the 46" as I didn't thought the 60" might be a bit too large for these flashes (unless you put 2 inside the softlighter). It's a definitely change (improvement, in my opinion) over a standard umbrella - if gives a much softer light (hence the name!) -- I'm sure it uses a bit more power, but if you need this type of look, it's your best option (and doesn't cost much more than an umbrella).

The bag it comes in is also very nice and folds up very compact. Another nice extra is that the umbrella shaft detaches (screws off) allowing you to get in very close without poking your subject with the pole. Note that the 7mm diameter version (used for certain larger flashes) does not detach.

Also keep in mind you'll want a lightstand, umbrella adapter and hotshoe transmitter of some sort (wireless, ETTL cable, PC Sync cable, etc..) to use this. The unit only comes with the umbrella, cover and bag.

This, the Photek Softlighter II, 54" Umbrella with Diffuser is a bit enigmatic.

First: 54" as advertised is a fish story, "ya see it was 54 inches before we shrank it to 46"...which is still a bit of a stretch.

Second: Unless your umbrella holder is at the center of the light, they leave little room to use as is without modificaitons: such as popping a hole in it four inches from center to mount and center my 6 inch speed light.

Good news is, it is sturdy enough yet light weight. It uses rip-stop nylon as its white faced shell, and that works. It comes with two inner small liners that are removable with ease; a gold and a silver one.

Presently, since I couldn't reliably get my light in it safely due to warp and potential heat probs., I mounted my SB600 on a stand and put this thing to the test. Works fine and dandy with my speedlight and it will actually allow and pick up my on camera flash through the back of the dark umbrella too!

So there it is~

I am always experimenting with my light sources, so when I heard about the rave reviews for the Soflighter, I decided to get one and try it out. Unlike other items that get great reviews, this one is under 100 dollars. I'm not sure why nobody thought about this before. All it is, is an umbrella with a diffusion panel in the front of it.

It gives you that same wrap-around light as an umbrella, except that the panel in the front further diffuses the light giving you that soft dreamy look almost like a diffusion lens/filter. This is not the type of lighting you might want to use for character studies when strong shadows, or contrasty features are needed. This light virtually eliminates all the shadows on the face of your subject. Even stray hairs on the model's face do NOT produce any ugly shadows like other lighting sources which is great(less time in photoshop). Harsh wrinkles are subtantially softened which is a plus for the ladies.

I haven't tried it yet, but I would assume that the Softlighter might work well with wedding portraits since it tends to give everything a dreamy appearance. The color balance is very natural(window like), without any noticeable color shifts like some of the cheaper brand of softboxes on the market. It was pretty easy to set up too, although I had to use gaffer tape so that the gold/silver enhancing discs that go inside the umbrella did not fall off. When I tightened the screw around the umbrella shaft, immediately there was a noticeable sctratch on the shaft, so just like regular umbrellas I would be real careful with it during rough and tumble shoots. Another con is that even the 46" is rather bulky and takes up allot of room. I could imagine outdoors with the wind blowing. Good thing the Softlighter comes in a smaller less bulky 36" package.

Other than that, it works as advertised. I did not have any problems inserting my Norman LH2 flash-head into the unit, although I used a reflector to keep the umbrella material from touching the bulb. If you are looking for more directional lighting however, one that produces more modeling shadows, more contrasty colors, contour and depth, I would stick with a regular Softbox. All in all, for the price this unit definately complements any lighting system and it is real easy to carry, set up and break down.

I am pleased with the product overall. The build is not as sturdy as it looks in the pictures but there is no doubt in my mind that they will last a long time. I couldnt use softboxes on my current lights, so these were the best alternative.

I'll start with the negatives:

As someone else wrote, the tip-to-tip measurement isn't 54". I just measured mine, and it's around 42". That's a big difference. False advertising, I think it fair to say.

Also (as the other writer wrote) it's odd that the sock (which fits around your light) is centered in the diffuser panel. Most everyone's lights are offset a bit (the shaft fits *next* to the light, not the middle), and so to get it to fit, you have to bend the umbrella quite a bit (which then deforms the reflector, because the umbrella is the reflector).

Now the positives:

That said, it does work, and the photographic results I've gotten are very good. All things considered, it's a good way to add a pseudo-softbox to your lights, for about $70. Better options are available, but they cost more, may be heavier, and take up more space. So, I view this as a good low-cost option, for those who aren't ready to plunk down thousands on a more sophisticated system.

You'll have read all the reviews about the quality of the light from the Softlighter, which is astonishing. The best. Good enough for Annie L. But I've just ordered my third of these (had the smallest available, the largest and have just bought the 46in sized) and each of them, without question, has broken after only a handful of shoots. The build quality and finish is shockingly poor and I would seriously consider a purchase of a Photek Softlighter for this reason - they have repeatedly let me down on shoots.

What seems to be woefully missing from all images of this product is the "8 feet" (exaggerated) of umbrella sticking out from it. Once mounted on an umbrella bracket, there's a lot of shaft to deal with. This is a huge limitation when using a speedlight as a light source. With more distance, you get much less light (inverse square law), blah blah blah. Haven't got my money's worth yet.