Umbrella advice

I currently have one 43" shoot-through umbrella that works quite well for
most things. But the light tends to go everywhere, and sometimes flagging
just doesn't work well enough. So I thought it might be good if my second
umbrella was convertible between shoot through and reflective. Like this
one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/280639133890

If I understand the description, with the cover on the light would be
reflecting off the white material, which I think may be different from a
standard reflective umbrella which has a silver inside surface (?).

I think I kinda prefer white instead of silver - because I think it will be
softer and less specular, and because it will match the light coming through
the umbrella I already have in cases where I'm using both.

Anyway, do these convertible umbrellas work reasonably well? Any other
sources I should consider?

On 2013.04.15 19:50 , Peabody wrote:
I currently have one 43" shoot-through umbrella that works quite well for
most things. But the light tends to go everywhere, and sometimes flagging
just doesn't work well enough. So I thought it might be good if my second
umbrella was convertible between shoot through and reflective. Like this
one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/280639133890

If I understand the description, with the cover on the light would be
reflecting off the white material, which I think may be different from a
standard reflective umbrella which has a silver inside surface (?).

I believe the silver just makes it impossible for the light to go
through the black layer and helps the white side be more reflective when
in reflect mode; in "shoot thru" both the silver and black are removed
together (I may well be wrong on this).

I think I kinda prefer white instead of silver - because I think it will be
softer and less specular, and because it will match the light coming through
the umbrella I already have in cases where I'm using both.

Anyway, do these convertible umbrellas work reasonably well? Any other
sources I should consider?

I have several shoot thrus and white with black cover umbrellas.
Probably 6 in all.

I haven't tried the "convertible" ones so no opinion them. May be a bit
fussy to use? Easier to just grab the right umbrella for the job. I
have a carrying bag that has nothing but umbrellas and softboxes in it.

You might also consider softboxes (with accessory "apertures" (esp
round)) and "beauty dishes" if you shoot portraits.

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