PRESSlite Vertex Light Modifier, for any Portable Shoe Mount Electronic Flash

This really is the best indoor flash modifier I have used. It is so versatile and nothing else has improved the quality of light in my photos like this thing. Using the PRESSlite Vertex requires patience and skill, but the results are worth it. I'm so glad I found it back in stock that I bought another three.Tip: If the panels are slipping out of their positions, make sure that the legs are secured. It took me long to figure out that they lock on the rubber band. You have to press/squeeze hard and move the legs around. Once you hear that click and the legs are locked in place, this thing is rock solid!

I have to say that the build quality is very good. Mirrors are very reflective and white diffusers are durable. Rubber band frame holds on to my flash (SB600) very well. Panels rotate nicely.I would like very much to use this device, as I like the engineering behind it, but unfortunately I don't. On the positive side, it did produce a better result than what I would have got with just a simple ceiling bounce, where I was able to light the foreground with a ceiling bounce and the background with both mirrors tilted forward and to form a V shape. On the negative side, it just cost me too many test shots and too many tiny adjustments to panel positions to achieve the previously mentioned shot. Overall I think I just find this system too complicated for me.Ideas for future releases: It would be nice if the system could tilt in both directions, without having to rotate the flash head, giving the user more creative options.

Has bought it, but don't use it at all after a lot of trying. I think there is a lot of gadget you can use faster than this.

I thought it was a n interesting idea but I really didn't get the hang of it. I haven't used it much.

I just received mine from Amazon at 30% off because of I was able to take advantage of the specials I found on [...]. I find it to be very well made in every aspect. Came in a small box and assembly is required. The assembly instruction sheet is very clear with illustrations. No user instruction/manual came with it but their website provides more then enough information to get you started.I was able to install it on my Sony 58 flash by stretching the band as instructed but now the flash doesn't fit into its very nice case as easily. Had to remove the arms so the head will slide into the case, leaving the band on the head. Now the arms are still attached to the panel assembly. Wish I have a slip case to protect the reflective panels while stored in my camera case. I wrap a micro fiber eyeglass cleaning cloth around the panel assembly and into a small plastic bag to store in my camera case. The shining reflective surfaces does show fingerprints very easily.Everything works as shown on their website. Haven't had a chance to test this yet since my primary use would be at parties in a large hall with high ceilings and walls in medium colors.My concern is how much extra work and time to setup each shot as I move around the hall taking group portraits. I suppose I could just use both white reflective panels for bounced diffused light for general shooting and use the shining panel(s) for directing bounced lighting to some wall or ceiling.[...]andI got a response from Presslite: "Unfortunately, we will not be able to offer new incentive discounts".Tried it with my Sony 58 last night in a large banquet hall with high ceilings and medium colored walls and ceiling. I ended up using the white reflectors as diffusers with the flash head straight up, as the silver mirrors were not effective in such a large area. For a party environment where you have to walk around and catch spontaneous shots, I found that I didn't have time to adjust the reflectors so I just use the white panels to bounce the light.Also in such a large room, you have to be pretty precise at the angles you set up the silver panels...much like playing pool except this is three dimensional but the light does spread out like a shotgun. When using the silver panel(s) to bounce the flash directly to the subject, I can see in my view screen when I have light cut off when I missed my panel setting!If the task is to take portraits, such as bridals in the dressing room, or on a portrait shoot, then you can take time to study the room for effective bounce surfaces to make use the silver mirror panel(s).At first the arms became loose from the band after a few adjustments... discovered that the arms were too close together at the panel attachment bar. By sliding the arms out so it was more parallel to each other and perpendicular to the band, it held up well.Didn't like the fact when I wanted to set the panel and arms to the side and just use the flash in its native form, one of the panels sticks out distractively at right angles to the flash...had to detach it from the panel bar (attaches with rare earth magnets) and place into my pocket, thus a micro fiber slip case to protect the panels would be handy.In the short time I used it last night, about 1/2 hour, I discovered that both white panels had dark scuff marks and didn't come off with a casual wipe from a cloth. Will try some isopropyl alcohol and mild detergent later.On studying the scuff marks on one of the white panels I see there are two parallel marks in a arc fashion, so I am thinking it is rubbing against either the flash or the band. I just tried to replicate it and succeeded with the band, but only with a lot of pressure. Will learn to detach the panels when not in use. Again, have to keep the panels separate and in a slip case. I fashioned one out a spare micro fiber eye glass cleaning cloth. Will have to sew it into a fitted slip case.This product is very well made but takes some time (for me at least) to study and learn its full capabilities. Will be playing with it as time and opportunities permit.I wrote twice to Presslite and the Vertex Team and they were very responsive and friendly. Highly recommended company and product!

I think I'm the only one in St. Louis using this & it's a great advantage for me. So versatile. You do need to know what you're doing with lighting to use it, but given that, it's super. It allows me to illluminate the far & near ends of a room fairly uniformly by using the silvered mirror for the far end & the white for the near end. I can do a 3 light studio setup on location with just this & my on camera flash & my customers like the results just as well as the 85 lb of equipment I used to carry for that. Be careful to check now & then to make sure the mirrors haven't been knocked out of position, which can easily happen.