ExpoImaging, the creator and manufacturer of the Rogue flash light modifiers, has recently released the Rogue 2-in-1 Collapsible Reflector, which can be used with both, flash and natural light. There are many other reflectors of this kind on the market today, from the cheap Chinese-made modifiers to the fancy reflectors from Profoto and Photoflex. However, the Rogue 2-in-1 Collapsible Reflector offers a few things that make it stand out even in the existing crowded space.
The overall design of the Rogue 2-in-1 Collapsible Reflector is quite typical: a metal rim stretches the fabric to form a circular reflector 32" (81 cm) in diameter, which can be twisted to collapse to a just 12" (30 cm) disc.
 |
 |
The rim appears to be wider and stronger than in some other reflectors we used. While we have't had complete rim failures with these reflectors in the past, we had a couple of them deformed. So, seeing the rim of the Rogue reflector being stronger (while still easy to collapse) makes us hope that it will hold up better.
We also want to note that the included storage bag is of higher quality that the ones made by cheaper brands. If the bag materials or zipper start failing over time, using the reflector may become quite annoying. In the right image below, you can see a reflector bag falling apart after a few years of use.
 |
 |
Now, what really makes the Rogue 2-in-1 Collapsible Reflector unique is its fabric, which was custom-designed by ExpoImaging to have properties different from other products on the market.
The two sides of the Rogue Reflector are named Super Soft Silver and Natural White. The Super Soft Silver side reflects a much more subtle and less contrasty light compared to the regular shiny silver surfaces of the other reflectors. This prevents you from blinding your subject when redirecting the sunlight. Also, the Rogue Reflector creates virtually no hotspot producing a more even light.
 |
 |
shiny silver vs. super soft silver |
regular white vs. natural white |
As the creator of the ExpoDisc, ExpoImaging takes pride in making color-neutral lighting accessories. The Rogue 2-in-1 Collapsible Reflector is no exception. Its Natural White side produces a nice gentle fill, which is color-neutral, whereas the majority of white reflectors have a blueish cast.
The images below show an example of using a collapsible reflector for an outdoor portrait. You can see the differences between the shot taken without a reflector and the photos captured with the Natural White, Super Soft Silver, and shiny silver reflectors.
 |
 |
 |
no reflector |
Natural White |
 |
 |
Super Soft Silver |
shiny silver |
In the examples above, you can see how the Natural White reflector adds a subtle fill light and distinct catchlights in the eyes, which makes the image more interesting and attractive compared to the one with just the natural light. In the photo with the shiny silver reflector, the hotspot is clearly visible. The Super Soft Silver side of the Rogue 2-in-1 Collapsible Reflector creates a more pleasing look with even subject illumination and no harshness.
To summarize, the Rogue 2-in-1 Collapsible Reflector performed very well in our field tests. With the high quality of construction, we expect this light modifier to last for many years. We definitely prefer the Super Soft Silver surface to the regular "subject-blinding" silver reflectors. Color cast is something that can be very hard to fix in post-processing, so having a true color-neutral white reflector for creating a subtle fill is a great thing.
Currently, the Rogue 2-in-1 Collapsible Reflector is only available in 32" (81 cm) size, so we hope to see more sizes in the future.
The Rogue 2-in-1 Collapsible Reflector is priced just under $30 (USD), which is about two times more than the cheap "no-name" reflectors, and roughly half the price of the high-end modifiers. None of them, however, offer the unique reflecting capabilities of the Natural White or Super Soft Silver surfaces introduced by Rogue. We highly recommend this product to anyone who's looking for a reflector for studio or outdoor photography. The latest prices can be found below.