Comments on: RSO – a Review (Sort Of) – California Sunbounce Sun Mover

By: Bert Stephani

Bert Stephani — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:05:12 +0000

@Andy: It requires some getting used to and it’s certainly a lot harder to close it than any other folding reflector but that’s the price you have to pay for a folding reflector with enough tension to be used in any wind. But I can’t say I have many problems with it.

By: Andy

Andy — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:17:24 +0000

I own this same product and have had it for about a month.

My question is this: How do you close it without damaging it?

When I pull it to disassemble, it seems like the reflector is “fighting” me to stay open.

By: admin

admin — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:05:19 +0000

Thx all

@Kurt: It’s true that the Sunbounce stuff doesn’t come cheap but the truth is that their stuff gives me better light and is a joy to work with. Which makes it a good investment TO ME. And it looks a lot more professional than taking the bike mounted reflector with me.

@Stephanie: statief = light stand
Getting someone to hold the reflector gives you a lot of flexibility and allows you to work fast but you can put a reflector on a stand too. The Sunbounces with a frame can be attached with a grip head. There are also systems to attach a “floppy” reflector to a stand with some kind of arm. If you want to use reflectors on stands outdoors, make sure you have enough sandbags because reflectors catch a lot of wind.

@Gabby: thx

@Fini: The micro-mini would be better for one hand use although you could probably do it with a Sun-Mover. For me the main reason to get the Sun-Mover is in it’s flexibility of use.
Let me check that blogpost.

By: Fini

Fini — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:34:02 +0000

Thanks for your RSO! I still wonder what is the advantage of the sunmover over a micro-mini (ok, besides the price). Is it possible to use the sunmover with one hand (i.e. without assistant) like the micro-mini? The sunmover’s handles do look nice, but obviously they are not used (in the setup snap).

Stephanie: The Sunbounces (pro, mini, …) could be clamped to a tripod. But you need bigger surfaces without assistant to allow movement of your subject(s).

Ah Bert, we are still waiting for your lighting technique description used at the Feb 18th 09 blogpost. Is it the free standing roof of the hut (like ‘the cage’)?

Cheers, Fini

By: Gabby

Gabby — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:32:37 +0000

I agree – I much prefer an honest first hand account of equipment and I look forward to more of these kind of posts. I always love seeing how you use reflectors – my favourite shot is still the one you took of Erica’s sister bouncing a speedlight off a huge reflector with a dramatic sky in the background – love it!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:48:44 +0000

Bert, first of all, thanks for sharing your experiences. It’s more valuable to read such experiences, compared to the salestalks on websites of the products you review.
I still have a question: it looks to me that you can’t use a reflector such as the California Sun Bounces, without having an assistent with you. I saw it already in various “behind-the-scenes”-blogposts. Is it correct that you always need a helper? Or do there exist some kind of tripods (or what is “een statief” called in English? :p ) to use with a reflector?
Thanks in advance for your response.
Stephanie

By: Kurt

Kurt — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:39:39 +0000

I was wondering why the sunbounce stuf is so great. Now I know, but I still find them a bit expensive.
In the last picture no reflectors were needed, the reflector is passing by on his bike