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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

California Sun-Bounce, anyone tried?

They're great. I use them all the time and take them all over the world. They're very light, but also strong and rigid. They're also quick and easy to set up with a good range of fabrics. There are other makes, Skylites by lastolite are good too, but don't go near those ebay copies.
 
Go right ahed with this Shawn, they are a great solution, especially when weight and transportability are issues.

WIND-KILLER BIG static Is a great tool for blocking those days of strong winds that might otherwise run your shoot.

Both the PRO and the BIG Sun-Swatter work really great when shooting out i the strong sunlight of mid day, and they help both for shading as well as in getting a great exposure.

The SUNBOUNCE, from the Mini MAcro to the BIG, do serve the purpose very well, the frame is solid and allows for it to be used in any conditions of weather, a much better way to bounce light vs. any other bounce system.

The SUN-SCRIM are also great, are basically Huge Sun Swatters and work fantastic when you have a large area to film or shade, also use them as wind blockers but the Wind Killer are the ticket for that.

A bit pricey? But worth every penny, this babies will come to Italy with me :)

ciao
 
I've been looking at these as well, and from those of you who have used them I was wondering the following-

1. How is the light quality from the bounce? Does the full surface really reflect light evenly (like they claim) or is it "spotty" like other reflector systems?

2. What kind of light loss is there with the bounce introduced? (If any)

[I've really be getting into using bounced light lately. A system from europe that really interest me is the CRLS: http://www.cine-rls.com/ - pretty amazing what you can light with only a 1.2k HMI and a bunch of reflectors ...]
 
The main reason some of the bounce sources, (most of them) get "spoty" is because the fabric is not Stretched as it is with the Sunbounce.

That is the main reason whit they claim and in fact they don't reflect a variable source of light with different strength of light, but rather a fairly even spread of light.

The loss of ;light by reflection I haven't measure, but I have been very happy about it, and will be purchasing a good kit to take back to Italy with me for the tRavel and sumer shoots.

ciao
 
KETCH ROSSI said:
The main reason some of the bounce sources, (most of them) get "spoty" is because the fabric is not Stretched as it is with the Sunbounce.
Click to expand...

That makes sense with the smaller circular reflectors. How do they compare with the traditional shiny board? (I've noticed with some of the 4x4 shiny's I've used that they can be "spotty" at times too- but no where near as spotty as the flexible ones.)

Thanks again for your input.
 
Ryan E. Walters said:
That makes sense with the smaller circular reflectors. How do they compare with the traditional shiny board? (I've noticed with some of the 4x4 shiny's I've used that they can be "spotty" at times too- but no where near as spotty as the flexible ones.)

Thanks again for your input.
Click to expand...

If you think of the Bounce cards and or Reflectors and or fabrics used to reflect a light source just as you would when using a soft box, then you come to see that the smaller the area of reflection is the spotty it becomes, also do when the fabric and or any reflective surface it is not even spread, or has wrinkles or such, which some time it is actually created in purpose as to give a particular effect on the reflected light source, especially done so in Still Photography.

What I'm trying to say is that if you want to eliminate the spotty effect you have to use a perfectly strait and even smooth surface to reflect from and use one as big or bigger then the subject you need to illuminate with that source.

ciao
 
Yep, I get that. :)

I've just been disappointed by some of the shiny boards I've rented at times. It must have been due to wrinkles in the material.

Thanks again for your input. It looks like I'll be picking up a couple of these. (They will be a whole lot easier to transport then a 4x4 card ...)
 
cali sunbounce are well worth the money.
 
I just used them on a feature in Ethiopia -- they held up in rugged conditions and came in handy many ways.

Very easy to Hollywood. Well built and versatile.

Ditto Ketch's and others enthusiasm.
 
Ryan E. Walters said:
I've been looking at these as well, and from those of you who have used them I was wondering the following-

1. How is the light quality from the bounce? Does the full surface really reflect light evenly (like they claim) or is it "spotty" like other reflector systems?

2. What kind of light loss is there with the bounce introduced? (If any)

[I've really be getting into using bounced light lately. A system from europe that really interest me is the CRLS: http://www.cine-rls.com/ - pretty amazing what you can light with only a 1.2k HMI and a bunch of reflectors ...]
Click to expand...

CRLS looks really interesting. How much does it cost? Anyone using it in the USA?
 
Rowland said:
CRLS looks really interesting. How much does it cost? Anyone using it in the USA?
Click to expand...

That is all TBD. I "spoke" (via email) with the makers and they are in the process of finalizing the pricing and other details. It sounds like it will not be available for purchase for at least another month or so ...
 
Lee Saxon said:
Check out www.photoflex.com

Their LitePanel line is vastly more affordable than the obscenely priced California Sunbounce line.
Click to expand...

Yep it is more affordable- but it seems that from what people are saying here is that the Sunbounce does work as advertized. It does give you an even illumination across the reflector. I wonder how well these work ... if they are similar to the 5 in 1 reflector that I have, then they will be very spotty ... which is not the same as the sunbounce.

Does anyone have any experience with the LitePanel and the Sunbounce?
 
Ryan E. Walters said:
Yep it is more affordable- but it seems that from what people are saying here is that the Sunbounce does work as advertized. It does give you an even illumination across the reflector. I wonder how well these work ... if they are similar to the 5 in 1 reflector that I have, then they will be very spotty ... which is not the same as the sunbounce.

Does anyone have any experience with the LitePanel and the Sunbounce?
Click to expand...

I have had both and the Photoflex lite panels, are super light and made of plastic tubing's, great to transport and such, but I have found that they don't stay as starched as the Sunbounce do, and that is the main cause for which I sold them all, they are great for the price and make for an excellent starting reflector kit on the go.

But for me they didn't cut it anymore, and after trying the Sunbounce I never looked back, yes they are truly expensive fabrics, and frames too for that matter, but they are still suer lithe, and very transportable any were, and yes the light they reflect is evenly spread even when using the 580EX II directly on either the Micro Mini for close up and portraiture, and the mini for ha;f to full body from three to six fit away, even very good with reflecting Tungstens and other sources such as the kino's, off course with this last the light reflected is very minimum but of very soft and pleasing effect.

ciao


 
Thanks for the reply- I figured as much. There is usually a reason why something costs more. Good to know they (Sunbounce) work so well.
 
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