The subject of the thread says it all. I was on a windy shoot yesterday and was reminded of just how much of a pain the collapsible circular reflectors can be in the wind. That is, they're practically useless. Who makes particularly rigid reflectors? I know California Sunbounce makes what looks like a very rigid system, but I've never used them. Any thoughts?
Almost any reflector becomes a sail in the wind. How much so depends on materials and weight. The only really stable ones I've seen are those from God.com (granite, sandstone and other models available, but portability is limited).
You might also look at movie-set reflectors at Matthews Grip (http://www.msegrip.com/).
Well, they all become sails, but my problem with the usual kind is that they flex like crazy in the wind. I had a really hard time keeping the light on the subject because in every strong gust the reflector would totally lose its shape. I can stand the sail-effect, just not the constant shape-changing.
A white 1967 Cadillac with a Blue Coral or Simoniz wax job works pretty good. More portable than El Capitan
"I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"---EB White
Understood. That's why I suggested the Matthews Grip reflectors. They appear to be rigid panels, as opposed to stretched fabric.Originally Posted by David R Munson
I don't know which brand is good, but mine $5 reflector bought in China is very rigid, I need someone help me to fold it.
California sunbounce are the ticket--they're rigid but you will need a California sun BOUNCER to hold them for you in a wind.
Foamcore with wooden 1x2 frames if you must.
Another vote for California Sunbounce - the frame design makes them rigid. Frank's solution would be as good and much cheaper though!
David Whistance
Frank - I'll probably go with your method for now (it's so obvious it's great), but will go for the California Sunbounce when I can afford it. In the past, I've made reflectors out of cotton bedsheet fabric with aluminum foil bonded to it with 3M spray adhesive (it works surprisingly well, actually) on a makeshift frame, but it's a messy process and I don't want to risk losing any more of my security deposit on my apartment!
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