If you had to choose a single light shaping tool, you might do well to pick the silver Impact 7' Parabolic Umbrella. First of all, it's a huge broad light source that wraps light around your subject, yielding clean highlights and rich open shadows. But due to the special shape of the umbrella there's a unique mix of soft enveloping light with the kind of crisp detail you only get from reflectors. Put another way, if you combined a beauty dish with a softbox, you'd have a parabolic umbrella.

This umbrella has a unique structural design as well. The shaft is reinforced for strength and instead of bendable metal, the 16 inner ribs are made of durable fiberglass. The fixed black backing ensures that all of the light output is bounced back to your subject instead of through the umbrella. The silver interior provides a more specular and contrasty look than a white umbrella. You can also vary the light-to-umbrella distance along the shaft for a harder or softer light. In addition, an optional diffuser is available for this umbrella, which effectively converts it to a large softbox with just a 1/2 stop loss of output.

This silver version is ideal for throwing the light over a long distance. Two of them, for instance, could light an entire auditorium or a large graduating class. The umbrella features an improved finger-friendly locking mechanism for secure and fast set up and break down.

Secure Push Button Locking Mechanism    Durable Fiberglass Ribs    Reflective Silver Interior    Long Throw Capability    Black Backing    Reinforced Shaft    Carrying Case

Improved locking mechanism provides fast, secure, and "finger-friendly" set up and break down.

The parabolic shape produces a more natural wraparound light than a regular umbrella. This soft and natural light is what makes this umbrella a favorite of wedding and portrait photographers.

The 7-foot diameter ensures a soft light quality. This umbrella produces enough light for stunning group photos. It will also emit a broad enough beam for full-length portraits.

A highly reflective silver ripstop nylon lines the umbrella's interior. It produces maximum light output that's great for studio or outdoor shooting where more contrast or specular highlights are wanted. Often used by fashion photographers for its punchy light.

For an umbrella to be effective, it needs to maintain its shape, and the fabric should remain taut. The umbrella features a 16-rib design that maintains the shape of the umbrella and the tension of the fabric for an even light spread.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Can I use this umbrella as a bounce with a GVM SD650B Pro?

A: Yes, the Impact 7' Parabolic 3 Umbrella Kit is compatible with the GVM Pro SD650B Bi-Color LED Monolight (650W). However, this light does not have an umbrella mount.

Q: 2. In terms of build quality, how is this compared to the Westcott 7' umbrella?

A: I have not used the westcott however I feel that the build quality of this item is very good. I am sure that there are better items out there however I am very happy with this umbrella and the price was just perfect.

Q: 3. Hi!I m conssidering buying this umbrella but i own a Godox ad 600 and a Dynaphos Expert QS-300.does anyone know if it s compatibble?

A: I recently purchased this. I use it with a Profoto D1 and a speedlight with an umbrella bracket. This is just a really, really big umbrella. So any flash with an umbrella mount should fit just fine.

Q: 4. Can I use it (bounce) with hot spot tungsten 1500W?

A: This is not heat resistance Umbrella

Q: 5. Is there any noticeable color shift?

A: No, the color is clean, no color bias.

Q: 6. Please, I will like to find out if the diameter truly measures 213cm in size..

A: Impact 7' Parabolic 3 Umbrella Kit has a 213cm circumference. If you mesure the diameter on a diagonal it's only 177cm. We provide an image of the measurements if you select Impact 7' Improved Parabolic Umbrella as an individual product.

Q: 7. Will this work well with the Impact SF-ABRL160?

A: No

Q: 8. I've landed here from Brian Smith site and he said there the umbrella diffuser is included. Is it right?

A: Unfortunately, the diffuser is not included. However, the correct diffuser is the Impact 7' Parabolic Umbrella Diffuser B&H # IMUP7D

Q: 9. Can I use this product with speedlight SB-900 without strobe?

A: well i have 3 speedlight and this thing is a bit biger, the light is not enought...

Q: 10. Will this work with speedlights, specifically the Nikon SB-700?

A: Since this is simply a universal umbrella the compatibility will rely more on your mounting. In order to use this with your speedlights you will need to get a mount with an umbrella holder. I would reccommend the Manfrotto light tight swivel imbrella adapter bh# MA026 and a coldshoe mount something like the bh# VECSSU20