Large Cheap 5-in-1 Reflector

D

DDirector

Veteran
I found this; http://www.amazon.ca/Fotodiox-Refle...EOBW/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1343970596&sr=8-9
Its $37, $46 with shipping.

I am interested in getting a large reflector, or multi kind ones all in one as this. Something large durable so it can be used outside. The thing is, is this not too big if someone is just holding it while walking with the actors outside?

And I can find any more info about this, is this durable and a good kind?

Its very cheap from the comparisons, so im a bit sceptic.
 
Snazzy Flapper said:
I even figured out how to fold it back up!
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Good ol days of using those reflectors, took me a good while to figure out how to fold the damn thing! Its hilarious to tell people you'll give them 20$ if they can fold it and watch them try it

They are alright for the price, I'd normally recommend a butterfly or something, but this works. I recall you can find some reflector holders as well
 
RickyC said:
Good ol days of using those reflectors, took me a good while to figure out how to fold the damn thing! Its hilarious to tell people you'll give them 20$ if they can fold it and watch them try it

They are alright for the price, I'd normally recommend a butterfly or something, but this works. I recall you can find some reflector holders as well
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Aren't the butterfly's more for diffusion silks?
Plus, were talking about WAY more money. And its not always something I can use anywhere anytime.


I just want to know if this stuff is durable. So if someone is holding onto it, it wont just fold up or break or something.
 
I haven't used those types of reflectors but I was just on a couple of shoots where one of the guys helping me brought a set kind of like that and we played with it for a while. My first impression of them was that I thought that they would be a great part of a "Two Duffel Bag Kit"; that is, a small light weight lighting and grip kit (That would fit in a couple of duffel bags) for run and gun naturalistic lighting shoots on the road. Durability was not one of the impressions I got from them though. That is not to say that I thought that they were cheap junk or anything, it just that their design strengths, light weight, compact, kind of works against them lasting forever. Using them should not be an issue, they seem sturdy enough to last through a lot of shoots, but, the thing that kills light weight inexpensive gear, in my experience, is the constant packing, unpacking and transporting of them over multiple shoots. However, they are inexpensive enough that replacing damaged ones should not be that big of an issue. If they are a piece of kit that you think you would use, I say get some and see for yourself. Let us know what you think when you have evaluated them.
 
DDirector said:
Aren't the butterfly's more for diffusion silks?
Plus, were talking about WAY more money. And its not always something I can use anywhere anytime.


I just want to know if this stuff is durable. So if someone is holding onto it, it wont just fold up or break or something.
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Yeah I know, I meant for the price it works. You can use silks and ultrabounces and other goodies on butterflies. Its essentially the same thing as this 5-in-1 just way different in pricing.

If someone is holding it, it shouldnt rip or anything. It might bend a bit if theres strong wind, but it usually holds well, and bend back into shape. I actually just found a few I had in the garage and was surprised how tough they were.
I received a nice slap in the face by dropping one and it flopped open and went straight at me heh heh, thats one of the many dangers these reflectors have


Deer Film said:
Does it come with a stand, and if not, what is a good holder or stand to get for these?
Thanks
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They don't (usually, unless it says it does) if you're going with something like this I'd recommend a c-stand and a sturdy reflector-holder from somewhere online
 
Deer Film said:
Does it come with a stand, and if not, what is a good holder or stand to get for these?
Thanks
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This version doesn't. You can get them but from what I know, I think they go up to 60-70" which is too big for this exact one.
If you go on amazon and search up reflectors or maybe reflector holders, youll find some in there.

I had one for my smaller 43" circular reflector. Its well... okay. If your indoors and know it wont move its good. But if your outside I personally wouldnt like it. It would swing too much. Id rather get a sturdy c-stand and attach it to its arm (but i dont know if that could damage it) or possibly get the foamcore holder end and use that instead?
 
Deer Film said:
Does it come with a stand, and if not, what is a good holder or stand to get for these?
Thanks
Click to expand...

You can have somebody hold it on an outdoor shoot for example. They make arms for mounting to a light stand, but in my opinion a C-stand w/arm is probably one of the most flexible pieces of kit that anybody could own, for mounting or holding many objects, including one of these 5 in 1 units.
 
David W. Jones said:
That stand looks like it would blow over if somebody sneezed on set.
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Heh heh, sorry but I'm going to use that in the future...


Yeah just stick with a c-stand. No one will die that way, last thing you want is someone.. sneezing, or worse a gust of wind coming and launching that whole reflector towards people. And it looks like a sandbag would crush that poor little thing
There are some really cheap c-stands out there: http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Linco-Co...hoto-Video-Cool-Lighting-Studio-/200802236948
 
I have one of the round ones and a holder. It's ok. You don't need the holder if you have a C Stand you can clamp it to the head, run it along the arm and clip it towards the bottom with a pony clamp. They are light enough. Also the one I have is a "silk" at center. If you remove the reversible reflecting cover it works as as diffusion.

I use this holder http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...x_DL_BHOLDER_Telescopic_Litedisc_Holder_.html. It works fine, indoors anyway. Never tried it outdoors. I've only had folks hollywood one outside
 
I just purchased this, so I'll see how it is.
Looking around other stores, this can go for around $90-180.
This came to only $46 with shipping, lets hope its a steal. :)
 
hscully said:
cool, keep us posted. That's a great deal.
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Will do. I'll share my thoughts about this in this thread.

I did not get a stand with this one because I did not find one that was long enough for the reflector. Nor did I even really bother looking for one. I've used one before, which was similar to this:
http://www.amazon.ca/CanadianStudio...WXQW/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1344307004&sr=8-7
and I didnt really like it.
I'll be going mainly handheld, or leaning it against something, or if I really need a stand, I'll use a C-Stand with an arm.
 
Deer Film said:
Does it come with a stand, and if not, what is a good holder or stand to get for these?
Thanks
Click to expand...
On the page originally cited, you will find the link to the holding arm:
http://www.amazon.ca/Fotodiox-Telescoping-Reflector-Holding-reflector/dp/B003Y2ILB6

You use a "Hollywood grip head" to hold the arm (and reflector) at whatever angle you wish.
http://www.amazon.com/Matthews-Hollywood-Grip-Head-Black/dp/B000RLSG2G

The arm and the head cost more than the reflector itself.
 
----- item review -----

----- item review -----

I got my package today :)

I tracked my package and saw it was in the city beside me. So, I took a walk to my mailbox to see if it was in there thinking they’d put it in one of the bigger boxes. But, while walking there, it hit me. That box is very small. There’s no way it would fit inside. – That was a dumb moment brought to you by me.

An hour later, the package arrived at my door. It was a fairly large box; 2x2’ or so?
Opened it up and took out the reflector. Comparing this to my older reflector, the 43” round 5-in-1, this was much heavier. But, that’s not bad, its good.

This is definitely heavier than my previous reflector. But, that’s probably because this is about 2x as large as the last one I had. Which probably makes sense why its heavier.

The weight isn’t bad though. It’s not like carrying this for a few minutes and you’re going to be dead. It’s a bit heavier because the bendable material that supports the reflector is made from thicker material. So, it is very sturdy. Its way more sturdy than the last one I had. And that one cost me about $130 for the reflector and a stand.

I was also feeling very regretful buying this. When I did a Google search after I bought it, I found some images of people using a reflector like this, and it just looked bad. The material wasn’t on tight. It was all wrinkly and it seemed like it was poorly done. I thought it was going to be the same since it was so cheap. So, I opened it up, while smacking my face and well, after I forgave it I was totally happy with it. Although my eye got a bit blurry from impact (don’t open this in a small room LOL) the reflects awesome.

The size is nice. I was hoping to get a bigger one, but I wasn’t able to find a bigger one that was relatively the same price so I bought this. I would like it a tad bigger, about a foot, but it’s still big though. It’s like exactly my size. (71x48”) – No, I’m not that wide, just height.

It’s very sturdy, and I wouldn’t feel unsafe or nervous about going with it outside or anything. I’d say, if you want a reflector this size, and don’t want to be spending $100+ on a reflector, this is definitely worth getting.

All materials look to be in good quality. Im not sure how thick the diffusion material is, i'd have to check that out sometime later. From what I heard, it could be 1-1.5stops.
 
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