Studio backdrops are a great way to transform a space. There are all different sorts of backdrops but I wanted a backdrop that folds up easily and doesn’t require lugging around a bulky backdrop stand. I also own some paper roll backdrops and it is so tough bringing out of the studio. What I like about this backdrop is that compact when stored, but unfolds to be the perfect size backdrop for shooting portraits. This is a review of the Impact Super Collapsible Background.
A reflector is a light shaping tool. When shooting indoors, I often like to have a reflector handy to bounce light back onto my subject. For example, if my subject is standing next to a window there is more light on one side, than the other side. A reflector is helpful to soften the contrast of the window light. Reflectors can be used to bounce studio lighting as well. This is a review for Impact’s Reflector Panel.
I love the size of this reflector. It’s quite large, 35″ x 70″ and is the perfect size for portraits. I used it length wise, and it pretty much covered the entire height of my subject. It folds up nicely for easy storage. There are two different reflective fabrics that come with it– one is white/black combination and the other is a gold/silver combination. I use the white/black combination the most, as that combo yields the most desirable results for me.
This is a review of the Impact Reversible Muslin Background. When I’m shooting portraits in the studio or on location, I sometimes want to use a backdrop that is not a seamless paper. Why? Seamless can be too uniform in color and also difficult to transport. I have always wondered what it would be like to shoot some portraits on a muslin background with subtle color variations, so I decided to grab one of these made by Impact and try it out.
This is a review of the Impact Two Monolight Softbox Kit. If you’re interested in learning studio photography and have looked at purchasing some gear, you know that once you start purchasing lights, light stands and modifiers, it can get expensive very quickly. Fortunately, there are some inexpensive options available out there, but are they worth it? While I don’t consider myself a master in the studio, I do have quite a bit of experience with different types of lighting equipment and, with a little use, can tell if I’d use something on a regular basis or not. Want to know what I thought of this Impact kit? Read on…
2x 300 W/S Monolights
2x 24×32″ Softboxes
2x Reflectors
2x Sync Cords
2x Stands
There are times when you wish to manipulate light sources but don’t always have the luxury of having an assistant to position and hold a reflector. The Impact 42″ 5-in-1 Reflector with Lightstand and Holder Kit comes in handy during such situations, as it allows you to tinker with different lighting angles, position the reflector, lock it in place, and carry on with your shoot. It is like having an assistant when one is not available (albeit a rather silent one!). It also comes in handy when it is not convenient to take multiple lights with you on a photo shoot. The reflector kit can act as a “second light” by maximizing the effects of a single light.
Once again, Impact has done a good job of combining a few of their quality products into a useful kit at a value-based price.
Impact 5-in-1 Collapsible Circular Reflector Disc – 42″
Shape: Round
Size Open: 42″ (106cm)
Size Closed: 14″ (36cm)
Surfaces: Translucent, Silver, Gold, Silver-Gold, White
This is a review of the Bolt CBP-N1 Compact Battery Pack for select Nikon flashes. Whether used during a portrait session or at a wedding reception, a battery pack can greatly improve and extend the usefulness of an off-camera flash. My hopes for this battery pack are two-fold. First, I want it to extend the battery life of my flash’s batteries, giving me more shooting time without having to worry about changing batteries or waiting longer for my flash to recycle over the course of my shoot. Second, I want it to give me a consistently faster recycle time.
If you are into product photography, or perhaps sell items on a regular basis on sites such as ebay, it makes sense to have a lighting studio kit that can produce consistent, high quality results. The Impact Desktop Studio Shooting Table Two Light Kit is an out-of-the-box solution that enables you to quickly and easily start capturing quality product photos.
This is another well-built kit by Impact that provides good value for the money and is a worthy alternative to kits selling for significantly more.
SP Desktop Shooting Table
It consists of a frame and sheet of white translucent plexiglass.
Horizontal shooting area: 23.25 x 17″
Curved vertical rise: 23.25 x 14.5″
Includes: 23.25 x 35.5″ plexiglass sheet
As you know from reading this site, Impact makes a number of excellent products that offer quite a bit of bang for your photography buck. The Impact 22″ Beauty Dish Reflector Kit represents a solid value for those that want to engage in portrait photography, but don’t want to pay more for a beauty dish kit than they paid for their portrait lens.
This is one well-built kit that will satisfy demanding professionals and amateurs alike.
As you know from reading this website, Impact makes a number of excellent products that offer quite a bit of bang for your photography buck. The Impact Turtle Base C-Stand & 20 Grip Arm Kit is no exception.
This Impact stand is an impressive piece of gear. It is attractive, very solid, and well made. If a C-Stand fits your studio needs, you should consider this model.
Accepts Wheels: No
Material: Chromed steel and aluminum
Minimum Height: 3.3′ (1.0 m)
Maximum Height: 5.9′ (1.8 m)
Closed Length; 3.3′ (1.0 m)
Footprint Diameter: 39.3″ (1.0 m)
Riser: 20″ (51 cm), 2 section
Grip Arm; Bar length: 20″ (51 cm)
Grip head: 2.5″ (6.35 cm)
Maximum Load: 22 lbs (10 kg) used as a stand
Attachment Size: 5/8″ (16 mm) male stud
Weight Kit: 18 lb (8.2 kg)
Stand alone: 17 lb (7.7 kg)
- Fold-away, twist and release locking legs
- Durable finish resists all weather conditions
- Innovative design on the C-Stand base allows individual legs to be set at any angle, and can be positioned in locations not possible with classic stands
- Ergonomic T-shaped handles are captive – they do not come off of the stand when unscrewed, preventing loss
- Each riser section has an external rubber gasket, which protects your equipment and fingers from sudden drops in stand elevation
Depending on the angle of the riser, this unit will position a beauty dish or softbox between 6-7 feet. It also acts as an excellent short boom/stand combination for a hair light.
This chromed steel stand and steel/aluminum grips are not only classy looking, they are well-suited for the task of handling professional lighting heads and light modifiers. This unit easily balanced my Bowens Gemini 500W head, reflector, and Photo Wizard control, which weighed about 8 lbs. Throughout the grip’s range of motion – even at 90 degrees – this Impact stand proved to be extremely sturdy. I put a significant amount of pressure on the grip arm with my hand and it didn’t budge an inch. As long as you align the riser with the upper leg, this unit is simply not going to move. With a larger softbox attached, I would likely add a 10 – 15 lb sand bag for extra stability.
The handles are very large and easy to grip. Locking them required very short turns and very little pressure. The base of the unit has a ring, which, once pulled, allows the legs to fold together for compact storage. Tightening the nearby handle ensures that the legs remain locked.
- Turtle Base C-Stand – 5.9′ (Chrome)
- Grip Head for Lights and Accessories – 2.5″ Diameter (Chrome)
- Extension Grip Arm 20″ (Chrome)
- 1 Year Manufacturer’s Warranty
This stand is extremely well made and stylish as well. It is a solid piece of gear that will probably last longer than the rest of your photo gear combined.
At $154.95, this stand offers a good value for your photography dollar. Oddly enough, I found that Impact also makes another variation of this stand which extends to nearly 11 feet, includes a 40 inch arm, weighs 5 lbs more, but costs less – $128.95. The reason for this price difference is not apparent from the specifications. Perhaps Impact judged that a slightly smaller and lighter C-Stand should carry a premium price tag.
It is tough to suggest any improvements apart from some optional wheels, which might be useful for hard core studio photographers, who need to move their gear quickly with minimal effort.
Impact has made a solid C-stand and grip combination which compares favorably to those made by the name brand manufacturers. The only caveat I would add is that the Impact Turtle Base C-Stand Kit – 10.75′ may be a better value if you need the extra height and weight isn’t a concern.
This Impact stand can go toe-to-toe with any made by Kupo, Avenger, Matthews, and other studio equipment companies.
You can find the Impact Turtle Base C-Stand & 20 Grip Arm Kit at B&H Photo for $154.95.
Creative studio photography can be both challenging and rewarding. In the beginning, when we just start taking the first baby steps to improve our photography skills, we always start out by utilizing available light. It does not take very long for most people to figure out that it can be extremely difficult to create beautiful photographs in low light environments, especially indoors. Naturally, we start looking for answers on how to get around the low light problem and we end up buying faster lenses and better cameras. Only to find out later that even better and more expensive camera gear cannot properly capture a badly-lit scene. The last resort then becomes flash photography – a subject that scares the heck out of many photographers out there.
