StrobiStrip / Saberstrip - any good?

[manda]

Hi all,

I'm going to do some off camera flash on a beach. I've seen some lovely results with the Saberstrip on a beach. But are they really any good?

My main factor is resisting the wind (WHILST still producing softish light).

Here is cheaper version that looks interesting> http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/StrobiStr...288?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f4732c160

And this is the chap that produces lovely work: https://www.flickr.com/photos/scottkrebs/

So ... what do we think? Hype or useful in high winds?

Thanks Mandy

 

[HoppyUK]

Never used one, but have thought about DIY-ing something similar more than once.

I like the principle. For soft light, you need a large light source, or at least a wide one. With two of those used in some kind of cross-shaped arrangement, that's what you get, but with low frontal area so low wind resistance. Those beach shots prove that it can work well. More than that I couldn't say.

Light efficiency is something I'd want to know about, and the cost would add up with two of those, four guns/triggers etc.

 

[manda]

Never used one, but have thought about DIY-ing something similar more than once.

I like the principle. For soft light, you need a large light source, or at least a wide one. With two of those used in some kind of cross-shaped arrangement, that's what you get, but with low frontal area so low wind resistance. Those beach shots prove that it can work well. More than that I couldn't say.

Light efficiency is something I'd want to know about, and the cost would add up with two of those, four guns/triggers etc.

Thanks so much - your insight is always spot on and I appreciate it. That explains why the videos often show a cross configuration. It also means I've lost the flexibility I was looking for!

 

[HoppyUK]

Thanks so much - your insight is always spot on and I appreciate it. That explains why the videos often show a cross configuration. It also means I've lost the flexibility I was looking for!

If it helps, the rig I put together was rather different. It works well, kind of like an umbrella without the surface area, though I've never actually used it for real and it still has a significant surface area that would catch at least some wind.

It's basically a triple flash bracket similar to this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Goliton®-Universal-bouncer-diffuser-Speedlight/dp/B00ODU773Q/ref=pd_sim_sbs_23_11?ie=UTF8&refRID=0NSBAARW56PTB1Z1QC6M with three of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Goliton®-Universal-bouncer-diffuser-Speedlight/dp/B00ODU773Q/ref=pd_sim_sbs_23_11?ie=UTF8&refRID=1DSW0D2F6R89YCY3X1JH very like the Lumiquest Pocketbouncer, but cheaper. Then I put a fourth one in the middle, simply attached to the light stand with a SuperClamp.

Edit: it ends up about 60cm diameter.