Closed Umbrella Open Umbrella

[domo]

Hey i am looking at getting umbrella's for my 580exii on flextt5 i am wondering is it more efficient to get one of them umbrella's with like a back on it. not square like a soft box. i think its Westcott that make them. i know that open normal umbrellas are not efficient as in you cant control your light so is having a "back" on the umbrella more efficient and still have "umbrella" lighting effect?
BTW i am looking for an umbrella around 60inch size.

[ehor]

Go the PaulCBuff.com.au PLM umbrellas.

As for shoot through or reflective. Depends on how you want the light.
Shooting through the light is softer but with more spill.
Reflective is harsher light but more directional.

A good inbetween is a shoot through with black outer cover so you have the option of both.

If all you want is maximum light then a silver reflective is what you want.

[maccaroneski]

Edward do you have any experience with brolly boxes that you would care to share? They look kinda interesting, and perhaps easier to use with speedlights rather than a full blown softbox.

[ehor]

Edward do you have any experience with brolly boxes that you would care to share? They look kinda interesting, and perhaps easier to use with speedlights rather than a full blown softbox.
Sorry I don't have any dealings with brolly boxes. Only shoot thru and reflective brollys.