light reflectors

dvpixl

dvpixl

Veteran
can someone point me to the best place to shop for light reflectors? Im going to need it next week, so i need one of those kits, I never bothered to own some so im finally going to get it.
i'm looking for anything under $55 for a 22 to 40 inch reflectors. for headshots and general scene lighting in my current project. thanks for any referrals.

i looked in EVS but didn't see anything that was affordable. maybe i don't know where to look so Rush, if you're reading this then please help.
 
Re: light reflectors

careful about those JP reflectors that Joes photo auction is selling. I got sucked into buying some of them and they are crap, and the guy charges so much for shipping its retarded, if you buy 2 reflectors he charges you double the shipping etc. Took me 2 months to get them to boot.

Anyways, besides the crappy service, the actual reflectors are pretty weak. They have a bad curve in them that the better reflectors dont suffer from, and the fabric is alot thinner.

Photoflex or Westcott are the way to go.
 
Re: light reflectors

I haven't used Westcott, but I've got some PhotoFlex and I think they're great. Only complaint at all is that I wish they included a black side, perhaps instead of the full-gold; I'd use a black flag more often than a full-gold reflector. But other than that, nothing to complain about!
 
Re: light reflectors

i got 4 different car-reflectors. the stuff you put behind your windscreen when parking in the heat. they come in different aluminium grids and cost € 5,- each. i built a little support rack for each one of them for handling and a little sling to hang them up. they still can be packed relatively small.

definitely a good deal.
now i need to find a golden reflector and think i will go for one of these emergency mountainkits; the foliage to help people who are freezing: one side silver, one side golden and very durable for its weight.....
 
Re: light reflectors

[quote author=Barry_Green link=board=lighting;num=1091326842;start=0#4 date=08/02/04 at 09:18:52]I haven't used Westcott, but I've got some PhotoFlex and I think they're great.  Only complaint at all is that I wish they included a black side, perhaps instead of the full-gold; I'd use a black flag more often than a full-gold reflector.  But other than that, nothing to complain about![/quote]

Some of mine have blacks instead of the half gold.
 
Re: light reflectors

I'm with Barry on the Photoflex. Also, a 4x8 sheet of foamcore ($20?) will go a long ways.
 
Re: light reflectors

yeah even a couple sheets of 4x4 coreplas works well. foamcore is still what they use in hollywood :)
 
Re: light reflectors

Too bad those cheap reflectors are no good. I wanted to buy a few more, but I guess I'll stick with Westcott. I like the Photoflex products too--they're a pretty good value. I just picked up another Photoflex softbox and they're high quality.
 
Re: light reflectors

If you need to, you can use the reflective material used in making the low-cost car windshield sun deflectors. I bought some gold and some silver deflectors a long time ago for $10, cut them into strips, and made a 4x4 silver/gold strip reflector on 1/8" wood backing, and painted the wood white. It looked a little hoaky, but it worked, and I got a double sided reflector. I have a 52" westcott now, and I love it, but it is a lot more than $10 ;D

PS: "Monty's" reflector, made by Westcott, has a black side.
 
Re: light reflectors

Hey Rush,

I'd love to see a picture of you homemade reflector. I love the gear people make for themselves.
 
Re: light reflectors

Now they even have the expandable disk type car relectors that twist close like the photoflex. the wire is cheesy but its only like $5.
 
Re: light reflectors

Great discussion.

I was following along and just ordered the 5 in 1 PhotoFlex with stand from BHPhoto.

It is amazing all the great advice you can get in these forums.

Thanks, everyone.

Chris
 
Re: light reflectors

For interiors, if transportation is not a concern, I'd rather have foamcore anyday.
 
Re: light reflectors

I just assembled some bounce cards using Rosco Silver and Gold material and gaff taped it to white foamcore. My local expendables shop sells it for $8 for a 20"x24" sheet. Works great!
 
Re: light reflectors

Foamcore is still the bounce king.. but those 5 in 1s are awesome... not just for bounce but they have black as a flag, translucent to knock down a source a few stops, and that silver/Gold mix wavey thing gives a nice colored bounce.
 
Re: light reflectors

I was working on a shoot where this guy had these awesome reflectors from hong kong... not only did they work great (one reflector alone had silver, gold, and white) the guy also said they only cost $8 each...

I suppose thats where photoflex manufactures them or something. They weren't called photoflex though, although they were exact same quality as my buddy's $35 photoflex one and worked and looked the exact same....
 
Re: light reflectors

I got my PhotoFlex 5 in 1 reflectors yesterday.

They are awesome.

I was impressed with the quality, when they unfold they are very tight and easy to work with.

Thanks for all the help.

Chris
 
Re: light reflectors

hi there-

do you have a link to the items you purchased? I think I need some with more surface area.
 
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