reflector questions

S

sodotoguwangus

Well-known member
I'm getting ready to buy a reflector (one of those circular collapsible ones), and I notice that they come in silver, gold, black, and white.

Obviously, gold is warm.

But what are the black ones for?

And how do the white and silver ones compare?

Thanks.
 
Black absorbs light, so anything black (such as flags) will block light. White reflects light, therefore a white reflector would reflect the light from your source. Likewise, silver will also reflect your light source, but with a different color temp (like what you noticed with how the gold changed the color temp).
 
Silver boosts the highlights and gives a nice cool tone with some contrast. I would suggest getting a dual sided reflector so that you have white on one side and the gold or silver on the other.
 
Absolutely. A 5 in one has most of what you need for small situations like an interview. That's the exact model that is the first reflector I ever bought--a 42" 5 in one. I believe I got mine from some place like Amvona and it still works great 4 years later.
 
5-in-1s are a must-have in a compact kit, but are only usable indoors. Outdoors you can only use them if there's no wind; the slightest breeze will cause 'em to flop around and ruin your shot.
 
The Photoflex or Lite Disc have better frames that keep the fabric flatter.
Some of the cheapies can't get rid of wrinkles in the fabric when open.
Hope this helps.
Ken
the Screen Skins guy
 
I just bought a collapsible 5-in-1 Impact reflector (32") and I umm....can't fold it down. :crybaby: Help!
 
Billz said:
I just bought a collapsible 5-in-1 Impact reflector (32") and I umm....can't fold it down. :crybaby: Help!
Click to expand...

Hold the disc out in front of you.

Twist the top edge part towards you with your right hand and use your left hand to turn the bottom away from you (.ie in opposite direction)

Kepp going as it spirals into 1/3 of the size.
 
I just bought a couple reflectors off eBay from seller 2dreammaker. I have bought stands from him in the past, so I figured I'd give his reflectors a shot. Got a 43" silver/gold and a 40x60 5-in-1 (that is a pain to fold down). I got them both for around 40 bucks shipped and they seem to be off fairly high quality. At least better than $20 a pop. Ha!

But no matter what brand you get, get something. Holy crap does it making lighting easier. (I can hear most of you going "Duh" out there.)
 
I have a couple of them, I like to take out with me a White/Silver, because I like to have the option of both the highlights provided by silver, and the natural look of white. Also I take a white translucent with me. it works as a reflector, a shoot through sail for lights and a shade for sunny days!
Sometimes a sachtler through a translucent is all you need to lift a face!
cheers
Chris
 
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