Light tents can be very useful in situations where they can be used....like still lifes of orchids. They provide diffuse illumination, prevent the sharp shadows caused by direct sun or point sources of light like single flashes.
You can achieve the same effect with some of the "twist up", white, translucent umbrellas, but frequently you need an assistant to hold them. They are portable and great for garden shots. Where you have potted or mounted orchids, it's easy to carry them to a tent location. I wouldn't buy one because you can build one from plastic pipe and a white sheet. As mentioned, the tent helps with wind protection, but it's biggest advantage is diffuse light that allows good color saturation and freedom from high contrast shadows. You can make one cheap and try for yourself.
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