California Sun Bounce ?

alexam

alexam

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Just watched a video where one of these Sunbounce reflectors was used.

When looking up the price of these, they seem very expensive. Would a normal reflector used to bounce the flash from not do just as well?:shrug:
 
alexam said:
Just watched a video where one of these Sunbounce reflectors was used.

When looking up the price of these, they seem very expensive. Would a normal reflector used to bounce the flash from not do just as well?:shrug:
Click to expand...

Having use California SB, Photoflex & Calumet frame reflectors, if I could afford it, I’d have the Sunbounce every time. I like the side arm and stretcher set-up (as opposed to the usual ‘shock-corded’ frames) the quality of the fabrics, the fact everything comes in a good quality case. For the past 20 years, personally I’ve been using the same Photoflex set and only then with the PVC frames, these were chosen all those years ago purely on cost grounds and now the fabrics are getting very tired, but that’s not too bad for 20 years of abuse, I suspect that a CSB set-up would actually outlast me! The CSB frames hold the fabric very taught and this makes them far more controllable, not only for directing the light but important for use out of doors. My poor old Photoflex ones tend to billow and flap about and this makes them not really any better than your average pop open reflector. The calumet ones have accessory clips to tighten the fabric and hold it against the frame. In between these extremes would appear to be the Lastolite Skylite range but I’ve no personal experience of those.

Paul
 
paul williams said:
Having use California SB, Photoflex & Calumet frame reflectors, if I could afford it, I’d have the Sunbounce every time. I like the side arm and stretcher set-up (as opposed to the usual ‘shock-corded’ frames) the quality of the fabrics, the fact everything comes in a good quality case. For the past 20 years, personally I’ve been using the same Photoflex set and only then with the PVC frames, these were chosen all those years ago purely on cost grounds and now the fabrics are getting very tired, but that’s not too bad for 20 years of abuse, I suspect that a CSB set-up would actually outlast me! The CSB frames hold the fabric very taught and this makes them far more controllable, not only for directing the light but important for use out of doors. My poor old Photoflex ones tend to billow and flap about and this makes them not really any better than your average pop open reflector. The calumet ones have accessory clips to tighten the fabric and hold it against the frame. In between these extremes would appear to be the Lastolite Skylite range but I’ve no personal experience of those.

Paul
Click to expand...

Same, though I'd disagree strongly that sunbounces come with a good case - they're too small, and fall apart!

Everything else about the sunbounce line is great, but the prices are truly eye watering. I'm happy with my compromise with the calumet system.
 
I've got both CSB and Photoflex (in aluminium) in the 6' x 4' panels, and personally I prefer the Photoflex, quite simply because it is shock corded and quicker to set up. If I had a penny for every time I'd dropped one of the CSB poles in the mud.......

However the CSB is superior quality, and generally stronger, especially in high winds it also holds the fabric tighter, though I've found my fabric is starting to wear sooner than I expected.
 
Thanks for the input guys. Appreciated.

M
 
itsdavedotnet said:
Same, though I'd disagree strongly that sunbounces come with a good case - they're too small, and fall apart!

Everything else about the sunbounce line is great, but the prices are truly eye watering. I'm happy with my compromise with the calumet system.
Click to expand...

Only used the CSB on a couple of occasions now, but the cases seemed robust - though I expect I'm also going to switch to Calumet as it would appear I can get frames and fabric for less than the cost of new Photoflex fabric's...though a CSB Micro Mini will be on te shopping list.

Paul

treeman said:
I've got both CSB and Photoflex (in aluminium) in the 6' x 4' panels, and personally I prefer the Photoflex, quite simply because it is shock corded and quicker to set up. If I had a penny for every time I'd dropped one of the CSB poles in the mud.......

However the CSB is superior quality, and generally stronger, especially in high winds it also holds the fabric tighter, though I've found my fabric is starting to wear sooner than I expected.
Click to expand...

I would agree that the shock-cord system is faster. How long have you had the CBS fabrics, after 20+ year my Photoflex ones are basically wearing thin where they have been abraded or folded over the years, but to be honest there is no reason why they couldn't be used for years to come - just not as efficient as they used to be!

Paul
 
I only got a soft case with my csb, definately the worst part of it, almost ripped the fabric sqeezing the stretcher poles into the case.
 
I only got a soft case with my csb, definately the worst part of it, almost ripped the fabric sqeezing the stretcher poles into the case.
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Yep! Absolute garbage, especially given how much you're paying for the (otherwise brilliant) product!
 
itsdavedotnet said:
Yep! Absolute garbage, especially given how much you're paying for the (otherwise brilliant) product!
Click to expand...

Guess the ones I used didn't come in the standard bags then, they were pretty substantial and had plenty of room, but definitely CSB German branded ones :shrug: but still the consensus would seem to be good product in a bad bag!

Paul

Edit to add - just looked on the Sunbounce site and it's a €64 accessory bag
 
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