reflector question

wayne naughton · Mar 21, 2009

What's the difference between a $120 light reflector from a camera shop and a couple of taped together car window reflectors from the $2 shop?.....apart from the packaging.

wayne

Mick Fagan · Mar 21, 2009

Usually convenience, plus there is the small amount of $118.00.

Mick.

wayne naughton · Mar 21, 2009

BobNewYork · Mar 21, 2009

There's a styrofoam "underlay" product used to clad a house before it's re-sided. They come as tri-fold 4' x 2' (three connected pieces this size) They're white styrofoam on one side and silver foil coated on the other and, as tri-folds, they are self-supporting. You could try a builders supply merchant or, better still, cruise building sites at dead of night !!

I had my house re-sided about 10 years ago and several of these found their way into my studio. Oh, did I mention that they can walk!!!

Bob H

PS - Mick beat me to it. I was about to say $118.00. Quick on the draw these Aussies!!

wayne naughton · Mar 21, 2009

BobNewYork said:
PS - Mick beat me to it. I was about to say $118.00. Quick on the draw these Aussies!!

Yes, we are...grin

Makes you wonder tho, why photographers, of all the professions, allow themselves to be ripped off time after time by overpriced products, forced obsolence and a really substandard distribution/retail system. I've been putting together a new lighting system and the cost of accessories is just numbing.

wayne

BobNewYork · Mar 21, 2009

You're so right. I'm in the middle of putting my darkroom back together again and I'd lost my Jobo tempering bath. I was looking even on ebay and the price was nuts. I went into a big pet store chain yesterday and picked up a cat litter box, an aquarium heater and an aquarium circulation pump. The Jobo didn't even have the circulation pump. It was peanuts compared to the real thing. I also needed another print washing / holding tray - a plastic cement mixing tub from the DIY chain. Drill a few holes in one end and I'm set.

I often walk around the hardware store to see what they have I can use in the darkroom or studio and I've ended up with some stuff that's maybe not as pretty - but a lot more damned robust and functional.

Stay quick on the draw Wayne!!

Bob H

Q.G. · Mar 21, 2009

wayne naughton said:
Makes you wonder tho, why photographers, of all the professions, allow themselves to be ripped off time after time by overpriced products [...] I've been putting together a new lighting system and the cost of accessories is just numbing.

You're just assuming that photographers allow themselves to be ripped off.

I bet that most do have enough sense not to, and know, for instance, that light reflected of an aluminium foil is light reflected off an aluminium foil, no matter how expensive.
I'm sure you do too, and do not get those overpriced accessories, but really enjoy those many trips to the hardware store instead.
And you're not the only one who thought of that ...

markbarendt · Mar 21, 2009

Well I only overpaid by $58, as I remember, so I don't feel to bad. :rolleyes:

The difference for me was that the kit was a 5in1. Silver, gold, white, black, and a scrim. I haven't figured out the importance of a black "reflector" :confused: so I think 4in1 might have been a better description, but in sales more is better.

That said the car window reflectors are a great place to start and see if you like using reflectors.

wayne naughton · Mar 21, 2009

Q.G. said:
You're just assuming that photographers allow themselves to be ripped off.....
....And you're not the only one who thought of that ... )

Yeah, most of the studios i worked in as a kid were cobbled together with a hammer and soldering iron. Maybe i'm not as resourceful as my forefathers, most probably i'm just plain lazy but i blanched when Bowens quoted me $420 for a 8x12 backlite reflector and $240 for a 15 degree snoot!

wayne naughton · Mar 21, 2009

BobNewYork said:
There's a styrofoam "underlay" product used to clad a house before it's re-sided. They come as tri-fold 4' x 2' (three connected pieces this size) They're white styrofoam on one side and silver foil coated on the other and, as tri-folds, they are self-supporting. You could try a builders supply merchant or, better still, cruise building sites at dead of night !!

I had my house re-sided about 10 years ago and several of these found their way into my studio. Oh, did I mention that they can walk!!!

Bob H

There's a sort of styrofoam fabric that they use instead of tissue for packing these days. I'd love to get a large roll of that.......

wayne

Pinholemaster · Mar 21, 2009

Plus Sales Tax or VAT.

glbeas · Mar 21, 2009

markbarendt said:
Well I only overpaid by $58, as I remember, so I don't feel to bad. :rolleyes:

The difference for me was that the kit was a 5in1. Silver, gold, white, black, and a scrim. I haven't figured out the importance of a black "reflector" :confused: so I think 4in1 might have been a better description, but in sales more is better.

That said the car window reflectors are a great place to start and see if you like using reflectors.

A black "reflector" is quite valuable as a light control device. Say you had too much light bouncing in from the sides to get any form to the light. Pop out the black and put it on one side and all of a sudden you have some direction to the light.

Mick Fagan · Mar 22, 2009

Gary Beasley is right, whenever you have to photograph white towels with a white or near white background, using a black reflector, will make it possible to see your subjects.

If you don't they will merge with the background, also useful for portraiture and getting relief in a lined face.

Mick.

reflector question

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