December 22nd, 2009
3:25
Westcott 45″ Halo Review
I cut my teeth on Wescott's Spiderlite TD5s. I knew very little about lighting and wanted to ease my way in before investing in strobes. With the TD5s you can choose between large, medium or small rectangular softboxes. However, I'm a fan of the Octa/round shaped softboxes. So when I saw the Westcott Halo my eyes lit up 
What's a Halo
At first glance the Halo appears to be a standard shoot through umbrella. However, it's a little more than that. It's an umbrella that works more like a softbox completely enclosing your light source. It works with Spiderlites or basically any strobe.
I really like it because it folds down really compactly for travel.
Once you unfold it you slip the arm into any standard light/stand umbrella mount and then extend the material around your light. Here's what it looks like wrapped around a Spiderlite TD5:
As you can see the light extends out beyond the standard radius of a softbox. So this could either be good or bad depending on your needs. In my case it was good because it allowed me to more easily feather the light on my subject.
The Results
I got a chance to try out the Halo during a studio shoot this past weekend. Here's a portrait shot from first use of the Halo on a Spiderlite TD5. The shot was taken with my Nikon D700, IS0 400, f/5.0, 1/60 using my 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens.
The Bottom Line
I like the Halo a lot! It's a great light modifier. I'll be using it with TD5 as much if not more than my standard softboxes. I just love the shape, ease of use and quick setup. The fact that it works with practically any light source is also a plus! You can get the Halo here from B&H Photo. B&H has also put together this Halo Spiderlite TD5 Kit so you get everything you need including the light stand and bulbs.
I will cover the technology, gadgets, events and cool toys that have affected me in some way. I will also give recommendations on the products that I have actually used.
Terry,
Can it be used with SB-900′s?
Joe
Joe,
Sure as long as your SB-900 is on a light stand/mount that has an umbrella hole/slot/adapter to hold the Halo. However, the trick at that point is that if the SB-900 is inside of the Halo, your camera wouldn’t be able to have line of sight for wireless triggering. So you would either have to leave the SB-900 sensor exposed or use another triggering method.
T
Terry, have you tried CLS with one of the Nikon flashes? I have a Photek Softliter which looks very similar to this. I’m able to trigger my SB-600/800 via CLS, even though the flash is inside the Softliter. It may work!
Sheila, I haven’t tried the CLS yet. Thanks for the tip.
Terry,
I have the Spiderlite system series. Let me pass on a great rescourse for the light (curvy bulbs) for the system. I love wescott lighting.
If you buy a case (6 to a case) they come out at about $10 bucks each. I know the company that makes the bulb for Wescott. A real deal when when most photo houses want $22 to $30 bucks per bulb. I know. I just bought one and then found out about the company that makes them.
So I do not want to make this public without your permission so email me and I will send you to the company and website that sells them for $10 bucks each.
Most kindly
Ken in KY
Can you send me the name of the company for the light bulbs for the Spiderlite?
Thanks
Great information on this lighting setup, thanks so much. Just one quick question for you. Who’s the model? She is absolutely gorgeous and has phenomenal eyes!
Terry,
Great review and this light modifier definitely seems intriguing… We will see what Ms. Claus brings me for Christmas.. Can you elaborate a bit regarding the differences between this halo vs. an octabox? That’s if you have done any comparisons…
Thanks!
Demetrius,
Thanks! I haven’t done a side-by-side comparison, but for me I like the octa catchlights when I can get ‘em. Otherwise, the Halo would definitely be my next choice.
I have the Westcott Apollo, which is similar to this thing. I use CLS to trigger my SB-900 inside it, and have never had any problems. (At close range, at least. Never tried from a distance.) Somehow the signal makes it through the softbox material.
Great! Good to know. Thanks.
Remember not to get the Halo and Halo Mono confused. The link brings you to the Halo Mono. The Mono would really not work with Speedlites, Quantum, Norman Heads, etc.
I have used the Halo’s for thousands of senior portraits and it makes great light with the head pointing backwards. It also feathers well.
Thanks! Actually the picture on B&H’s site is the Mono, but the part number is for the Halo. I double checked it against F.J. Westcott’s site.
Hi Terry. I need to light a full length image, or at least from the neck to the ankles (a shot of garment in which the head will be removed). I would like to use the same TD5 light with perhaps a full length reflector. Do I need a 60-inch softbox? If so, can you recommend one for use with these lights?
Thanks.
You should be fine with a 54″ or larger softbox and a full 6′ reflector.
Pingback: Quick Hits | neutralday
Pingback: Digital Cameras » Blog Archive » Quick Hits
Hey Terry, what was your setup here? Did you use a reflector and if so, how did you position it? Thanks for reviewing this, too!
Hi Brad,
No reflector. Just the one Spiderlite TD5 shooting through the Halo.
The last shot had a stripbank behind her to add some light to the hair.
Thanks