What zoom setting should I use on a speedlight with an umbrella?

Asked 9/23/2016

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I’m new to off-camera flash and using a speedlight with an umbrella bracket. My flash lets me change the beam spread by setting a focal length (zoom), which makes sense on-camera, but I’m unsure what to use when the flash is pointed into an umbrella.

Is there a typical zoom/focal length setting for umbrellas? Does it differ for reflective vs. shoot-through umbrellas?

lighting umbrella speedlight flash-modifiers off-camera-flash

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

9y ago

2 Answers

Use focal length that will not throw light past the umbrella. There are lots of different umbrella sizes, some very large.

I think 50 or 70mm would be fine. As advised above just try and see what works. The only thing you don't want is for light to shoot past.

Originally by user56920. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user56920

9y ago

AI Answer

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There isn’t one fixed zoom setting for all umbrellas. The goal is to fill the umbrella without sending much light past its edges.

In practice, set up the flash at the distance you’ll actually use, then test:

If the zoom is too tight (higher mm), you’ll get a bright hotspot in the center.
If the zoom is too wide (lower mm), light may spill past the umbrella.

A good starting point is often around 50–70mm, but the right setting depends on the umbrella’s size, type, and the flash-to-umbrella distance. Larger umbrellas usually need a wider beam or more distance from the flash head.

This applies to both reflective and shoot-through umbrellas: use the zoom setting that gives even coverage with minimal spill. The best setting is simply the widest/most even coverage you can get just before light starts missing the umbrella.

What zoom setting should I use on a speedlight with an umbrella?

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