Does anyone own one? Did you go with the 4x6 or 6x8? I know the CS reputation for quality and I'm going to purchase one or the other. Any experiences with the sunswatter or thoughts on which size is more useful would be appreciated.

Okay... at the risk of taking a bashing.... not being an owner... not using it....

I've gone to the local camera shop a few times and have studied/played around with the swatter. My thoughts... it is over priced by about $650 IMO. I've researched the materials and you can build one or something very close for $100-150 with the cool pole... the aluminum frame... even buy their grip head if you want... but... you don't have to.... and the rip stop nylon. It is my next project... as I can't justify spending $800 on it...

Would I own one... sure... looks like a nice product... but... it's not that complicated ...you couldn't build something similar. Just my opinion...

Hatch

The ... original ... poster ... wanted ... quality ... and ... did ... not ... state ... he ... needed ... to ... save ... money ...


hatch1921 wrote:
Okay... at the risk of taking a bashing.... not being an owner... not using it....

I've gone to the local camera shop a few times and have studied/played around with the swatter. My thoughts... it is over priced by about $650 IMO. I've researched the materials and you can build one or something very close for $100-150 with the cool pole... the aluminum frame... even buy their grip head if you want... but... you don't have to.... and the rip stop nylon. It is my next project... as I can't justify spending $800 on it...

Would I own one... sure... looks like a nice product... but... it's not that complicated ...you couldn't build something similar. Just my opinion...

Hatch

Kim Bentsen wrote:
The ... original ... poster ... wanted ... quality ... and ... did ... not ... state ... he ... needed ... to ... save ... money ...


l... o... l...

Stuuke,
Since one is twice the size of the other it offers;
twice the coverage,
twice the wind risk
twice the cumbersome-ness (if that's a word)

I have two Calumet panels that can be clipped together to create a v bank or larger scrim when needed.

IMO get the size that fits the requirements you will encounter most often.

In watching some coverage of the Michael Jackson activities I have seen alot of the TV crews are using what looks like the smaller size. Question is, do you shoot one person at a time or more than one.
Neither one looks like the easiest thing to use outside with out some serious stand holding it down...

It looks like the smaller size will work for up to 3 people. That should take care of the majority of my needs. It will also be much easier to manage. You can also fire strobes through the screen so I can see myself using it for more than just a sun blocker. I'm kind of surprised that nobody here owns one.

Kim Bentsen wrote:
The ... original ... poster ... wanted ... quality ... and ... did ... not ... state ... he ... needed ... to ... save ... money ...


hatch1921 wrote:
Okay... at the risk of taking a bashing.... not being an owner... not using it....

I've gone to the local camera shop a few times and have studied/played around with the swatter. My thoughts... it is over priced by about $650 IMO. I've researched the materials and you can build one or something very close for $100-150 with the cool pole... the aluminum frame... even buy their grip head if you want... but... you don't have to.... and the rip stop nylon. It is my next project... as I can't justify spending $800 on it...

Would I own one... sure... looks like a nice product... but... it's not that complicated ...you couldn't build something similar. Just my opinion...

Hatch








I knew the flame would happen.... but... seriously... if spending an extra $600 for a brand name ....means "quality" for the same materials and features as a DIY project...... rock on... go for it... I'm all about stimulating the economy with other peoples money. I'll keep the $600 in the bank and have the same DIY model.

It's nothing more than an aluminum frame.. .a grip head... and pole and a bag... oh... and of course the $5.00 a yard rip stop nylon.

Good times.
Hatch

No problem Hatch. If I could put together a frame and pole system that would be sturdy for less than $600 I'm all for it.

They are made of aircraft aluminium (Dural). Expensive, not easy to get by and lavish to process.

Careful about the term "aircraft aluminum" There are many different alloy specifications for aluminum MS1100 is the soft alum that one can buy in a hardware store, still "aircraft quality"

this is a link to the panels I have http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/RM7359K2/

A very nice alum frame that fits together quickly and the translucent panel is the same fabric they use for softboxes.

Calumet also has the various accessories for attaching to light stands, etc.

dmward wrote:
Careful about the term "aircraft aluminum" There are many different alloy specifications for aluminum MS1100 is the soft alum that one can buy in a hardware store, still "aircraft quality"



I meant hard-aluminium ( Al95/Cu 4/Mg 1 ), in Europe known as Duraluminium.

What are you going to be blocking the sun for??

One person or how many.

We sun block on the beach almost everyday using a very low cost 6x8 pop up thing $60 and the problem is it creates a big strong shadow on the ground that shows in the photos unless you are not showing the ground then you are ok like for standing up wast up shots.
Also the wind blows it around very easy we could never use a stand it would blow over in a second.

digitaled wrote:
We sun block on the beach almost everyday using a very low cost 6x8 pop up thing

There are a couple of things you want to keep in mind when going with a solution like this:

Most people aren't looking to "block" the sun, they're simply looking to knock it down a stop or two and diffuse it for less-directional light. This is why people use silks or scrims and variations on those themes. Something like a pop-up tent or beach umbrella casts a hard shadow because it's either opaque or knocks the light down on order of 4+ stops.

Anything that isn't designed for photography or video is likely to add a color cast to the light that passes through it or reflects off of it, even if it's "white". In a situation like this, correcting for the color cast on your subject would through the color balance of the environment off and vice-versa.

Honestly, you really are better off going with something purpose-built for photography.

I prefer the Wescott scrimJims to the SBs. For me the frames are more versatile and they don't wear out on the corners like the SBs do.

I own one, but haven't used it much yet. If your serious about purchasing one, Image Light Group in Kansas City is clearancing all of the Sunbounce Gear they have. They aparently are no longer going to be the US distributor. They have some okay deals, and all prices include free shipping. I've bought some cool stuff from them, including a few Sunbounce things that weren't available anywhere else.

loggerhead, I'm actually located in Kansas City and they're bringing one over to my house tomorrow.

That's great, glad I could help stuuke!

I don't own one so take this for what it's worth. To me the decision would come down to wind risk -- if there is a good chance of it turning into a sail go with the smaller one. If you generally shoot in calmer conditions, the 6x8 will offer far more flexibility. I use (and have frequently tacoed) the 84" Lightform panel and as big as it sounds, it really isn't that big or provide all that much working room on a shoot, but it is a handful in a breeze. Big is 12x12. 4x5 is nice for a softbox, but smallish for a light panel.

Just one person's opinion.

I hired the 4x6" and found it to be a bit too small when putting a model in a big wedding dress under it, at midday with the harsh australian sun, so I bought a 6x8 version and omg it is huge!

Its not very usable on the boomstick in alot of wind - it becomes a big mainsail! I found myself gripping it with a cstand more often. I think Id almost buy the butterfly 6x6 sunscrim which I can use 2 ctands on either end to support. This would be a more stable rig and I can lose one extra assistant.

Also look into getting a sunbounce Pro - the 4x6 and you can then add a 1/3 or 2/3 silk to this frame and you have one very large reflector and scrim (remove the centre crossbar when you silk it)

I got the 2/3 silk, which is great for just natural light portraits when you want to kill the highlights. I found myself using the 1/3 more when I used a powerful strobe. The 2/3 stop silk will leave more of a shadow on the ground and you'll find yourself cloning it out.

the 1/3 with strobe - 1000ws+ works great - enough to calm the models eyes so she isnt squinting in full sunlight and tame the highlights - especially if you are shooting something like a white wedding dress.

setup using the 4x6 sunswatter:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8279638@N05/3161563882/in/set-72157612129494036/

resulting photo - sorry im not a subscribed member of FM

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8279638@N05/3161563882/in/set-72157612129494036/

twice the cumbersome-ness (if that's a word)

How bout "encumbrance?" That would be a suitable word for cumbersome-ness.

Max

loggerhead wrote:
Image Light Group in Kansas City is clearancing all of the Sunbounce Gear they have. They aparently are no longer going to be the US distributor.

Looks like Sinar Bron (soon to be renamed) is going to be the US distributer:


http://www.sinarbron.com/2009newsletters/090721pressrelease_sbi_csb.htm

July 22, 2009

Re: California Sunbounce and Sinar Bron Announce Distribution Partnership

We are pleased to announce that California Sunbounce, a leader in photographic reflectors, scrims, and other light diffusion and grip equipment, has chosen Sinar Bron Imaging for distribution in the US.

bigreen505 wrote:
I use (and have frequently tacoed) the 84" Lightform panel and as big as it sounds, it really isn't that big or provide all that much working room on a shoot, but it is a handful in a breeze.

I have some of the Photoflex Litepanels and a lot of their fabrics for them, also Calumet frame fabrics in different sizes. Translucent, gold, white, black, etc.

I have the PVC version of the Photoflex. The tubes are "shock corded" to come apart, like tent poles.

You could take the same approach and either shoock cord or just glue some PVC tubes together to make a sturdier frame. Using your own PVC and standard parts, you could add cross braces, join two panels side-by-side or at 90 degrees, etc. Might be worth a try if you have the time.

I bought some PVC to make frames one time, but as usual never got around to it. Still sitting out in ther garage. I also have something in the basement I was supposed to solder about a year ago. I forget what it is though. Not worth trying to remember, I'll never get to it anyway ....

Mark for reference.

I use California Sunbounce product. I use the 4 x 6 reflector with the Zebra (gold and silver zig-zagged) to give a more balanced color tone rather than just sliver (too cool) or gold (too warm) as my other reflectors. The frame is very lightweight and easy to hold.

I also have the 4 x 6 sun swatter, which is big enough to diffuse the sunlight in most full length shots. My assistant puts the pole into his belt holster (from CS also), and that really helped when you have to hold the pole for about an hour. We do have some problems under very windy conditions, but other than that, I am looking into getting the next larger size of the sun swatter.