Choosing an Umbrella Size

[Guitarman0]

I am looking to pick up a really cheap umbrella/stand/umbrella holder combo as I don't to a huge amount of flash photography but want to have a play around.

I have been looking at a Westcott 43" umbrella with a removable black cover so it doubles up as a reflective umbrella however it seems that the umbrella shaft has a diameter of 1cm which won't fit in most cheap umbrella/flash holders. An alternative would be to pick up a 33" shoot through umbrella and 33" silver reflective umbrella. Would there be a major difference in the softness of the light between the 43" and 33" umbrellas or am I best of just getting two 33" umbrellas?

Cheers

 

[An Exception]

Personally I love the parabolic's as they give directional light like a softbox, but are as cheap and practical as an umbrella and thus often much larger than an equivalent softbox.
Cotswold photo do some excellent parabolic that are very high quality but very cheap.
I would get a 40" and a 60", if they are to be used in a studio, then bigger the better...