anyone use collapsible reflectors?

P

powerdog

Veteran
I have a reflector kit, but never found a good way to support them. Tried clips attached to a C-stand, but that's not great for balance or positioning.

I've seen a reflector holder at B&H for 50 bucks. Attaches to the stand and spans the reflector. Is that what you use?
 
I bought the photoflex holder and hated it... since then I've used a boom stand and clamps... but recently I worked with a guy that had one like you're talking about (similar to the photoflex one I hated, but this one I loved) and it worked GREAT... so now I gotta' call that guy and see what brand it was... the one I had clipped onto the little frame inside of the reflector... with a little opening that was intended to hold onto the "hoop" itself... again, this sucked. The slightest touch knocked the reflector loose... on this other one it had little spring clamps with larger surfaces so that it kind of grabbed the frame and the fabric both... that's the one you want. That reminds me... I think I'll try to order one today.

I expect that was something Manfrotto makes since all their stuff rocks. It'll take 7-10 days for mine to show up... so I'll report back then... I'm sure there are others on here that have a system they love... or maybe know the one I'm talking about.
 
That looks good, but I really can't tell... the thing which sucked about the one that... uh sucked... is the end clips were "dainty"... like they just wanted to pinch the frame of the reflector... then on this other guy's rig the end clips were more like mini-clamps which held really well.

In that link you posted the end clips look dainty again... that scares me.

You know what... now I'm feeling bad... because I think I had it backwards... check this link here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=42107&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

See the clamps at the ends? I think it's actually the Manfrotto one that sucked and the Photoflex one that's good!

Doh! Of course on the Photoflex site they say "all new construction" so maybe they've changed in the past 2 years? Whatever... all I know is you want CLAMPS and NOT clips!
 
That's what I thought. It's a fairly decent stand, too. It's a convertable deal. The boom part extends from the center post and then flips down. It's kinda cool.
 
hey powerdog, I picked up on your question to me here. Yeah, the Avenger/manfrotto has clips, I get them to work fine, but I can see how they'd drive you crazy. I think I'm going to try the Photoflex arm next time.

Check out the Lastolite sunfire reflector...its a laser beam...like I mentioned it's not for everyday use, but its saved me on a couple shoots.
 
I got one of those Impact reflector/boom/stand kits similar to HorseFilm's link above. I liked it so much I immediately ordered another. 42" is a good reflector size and I use the base ring (comes covered with white net) as a diffusion panel in front of fresnels. I just love the way the stand/boom collapses in on itself (with a little help) and the clips have never been a problem. Well, once in a persistent wind, and then I threw a Matthews grip arm on the boom to give the reflector a little additional reinforcement.

I think the kit is about the best value of any purchase I have made in a long time. I believe that "Impact" is the B&H house-brand.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=283648&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
 
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