Starter Umbrella Kit for under $100.

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bmilcs

Senior Member
I'm looking to pick up an umbrella kit for my Yungnuo 565 TTL. Prices can range all over the place for these things, but I'd like to get a decent stand and a large white/black umbrella for reflecting light ;).

I am tempted by this: Impact Digital Flash Umbrella Mount Kit DFUMK B&H Photo Video

but this would require me to buy another flash. I did want to pick up a Yungnuo 560 II manual speedlight as well.

What do you suggest that I do? I have no lighting experience. Thanks.
 
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WayneF

Senior Member
bmilcs said:
I'm looking to pick up an umbrella kit for my Yungnuo 565 TTL. Prices can range all over the place for these things, but I'd like to get a decent stand and a large white/black umbrella for reflecting light ;).

I am tempted by this: Impact Digital Flash Umbrella Mount Kit DFUMK B&H Photo Video

but this would require me to buy another flash. I did want to pick up a Yungnuo 560 II manual speedlight as well.

What do you suggest that I do? I have no lighting experience. Thanks.
Click to expand...


The YN565EX is currently $104 at Amazon, with Amazon shipping and return guarantees (approximates a 30 day warranty). Hong Kong can be a different story. :)

The two flashes would work fine together in manual flash mode, but if you wanted to use the Nikon Commander, you would need two YN565EX. Manual flash is very popular in fixed settings, but since you have the Commander, don't overlook that option. There are downsides, but it can be awesome point&shoot multi TTL flash.


The Impact umbrella kit is very popular. I would suggest also looking at the one I like, which is

Smith-Victor UK2 Umbrella Kit with RS8 Stands, 45BW 401484 B&H

I think the flash shoes are NOT included in it (I have mixed memory conflicts now), but you would want to replace the shoes in the Impact kit anyway (my SB-800 fell out to the floor twice with those shoes, before I trashed them). Excellent replacement shoes are:

stroboframe 300 shoe | B&H Photo Video

Either one of those... The shoes are the same. The "General Purpose" version includes a large knob to install the shoe in a hole on any flat surface, which is not used on the flash bracket, but it is nice to have.

The version for a flash bracket has a locating pin in the base, which you simply remove for the umbrella bracket.

See my sig link, under Lighting.


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rocketman122

Senior Member
a starter kit, but nothing more. stands are flimsy. is this for indoor or outdoor? indoor, sure will be ok, outdoors, no way. not stable enough. I dont like 32" umbrellas. too small imo. the wrap around from bigger light sources are more aesthetic in the image.

Id save a bit and get bigger stands just for stability and not necessarily for height because those that extend higher are thicker and have more mass/wider feet.

but here, you definitely get what you pay for.
 
Thumper_6119

Thumper_6119

Senior Member
For an inexpensive umbrella setup for speedlights, I bought this kit: Amazon.com : CowboyStudio Doulbe Off-Camera Flash Shoe Mount Swivel Umbrella Kit for Nikon Canon with 2 Silver Umbrellas, 2 Shoot Through Umbrllas, 2 Shoemount Brackets and Carrying Case : Photographic Lighting Umbrellas : Camera & Photo

Inexpensive, light (albeit a tad flimsy), and easy to move around. It easily accomodates both of my SB-800's. It comes with two pair of umbrellas, two stands. Less than $70 shipped (in US). The stands are not so flimsy that I worry about them falling over, at least indoors. Outdoors, a good wind will do them in, but that is going to be the case with anything that is basically a sail on a stick. (And living in the Texas Panhandle, wind is just a fact of life here). I have only used these indoors thus far, and they work great. For an inexpensive speedlight umbrella started kit.

Not a bad kit at all, especially for the price. But as has been stated, you get what you pay for. But this kit got me started with off camera lighting, and it has been a good jumping off point, if you will, to start learning to use such peripherals.
 
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