how to mount wireless flash

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I have been reading through this forum and the strobist website that I am starting to get a headache. So much to take in.

Ok well as I'm sure its not uncommon, I want to start experimenting with off camera flash photography. I have already purchased a wireless transmitter/receiver (which I won't be getting for a week), but now I am left to wonder what else I need to purchase to make this all work nicely.

I bought the Cactus v2 transmitter from ebay, and from what I read, its kinda flimsy and people dont feel comfortable mounting their flashes to it, so instead they use a hot shoe adapter and just plug the v2 into the hot shoe adapter and go that way.....

Should I go out and buy a lightstand (keep in mind Im trying to do this cheap, this is just experimenting right now) but if I do that I will need to buy an umbrella holder correct? and from the video I watched on youtube, you are focred to mount the flash with the ebay transmitter....

or should I be buying some type of clamps or whatever instead of the stands etc

(on a side question, is there any real difference between various hot shoe adapter brands?)

thanks for everyones time :)

[FlashZebra]

For most the most practical and reliable way to mount an off camera hotshoe flash is with a good quality umbrella adapter. Luckily good ones are relatively inexpensive.

But, with the V2 if you do not use the hotshoe, and use the umbrella adapter to mount the flash, you must use the very precarious PC connection on the V2 for flash sync. The PC connector on the V2 has all the normal PC reliability issues, but in addition it has the very serious problem of the PC connector spinning and breaking the solder joints on the connection when used.

So, with the V2 radio slave you are forced to choose between a reliable mechanical mount for your flash (but use the precarious PC connection for flash sync), or use the reliable hotshoe connection for flash sync (and use the precarious V2 mechanical mounting your flash).

But, you can decide which is best for you.

Enjoy! Lon

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didnt realize those issues exsisted with the pc connection on the v2's. Alright nevermind then, I will just use the hotshoe connection

ok so with that out of the way, how exactly would a setup like this mount to come type of clamp? from watching the youtube videos I see how the umbrella holder mounts to the lightstand, but im curious about the different clamps. Would I be safe to assume most people use a cheap lightstand/umbrella mount when starting out?

[FlashZebra]

An inexpensive light stand and an inexpensive umbrella adapter is an extremely common route for new off camera flash users.

Many inexpensive umbrella adapters also come with a metal adapter (called a spigot) to allow you to use the umbrella adapter on a common tripod.

So, if you already have a tripod you could press that into service as an ad hoc lightstand.

Lightstands work better for off camera lighting, but a triupod is a reasonable substitute that you may already own.

Enjoy! Lon

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thanks for the comment zebra :) didnt know that about the "spigot". So does that style of umbrella holder only permit you to put it on a tripod? you wouldnt be able to fit it on a light stand as well, correct?

also, is it just the height that is better about a lightstand vs tripod. Why exactly is up higher, better?

[bieber]

It'll be usable on a lightstand as well, just remove the adapter. And higher is better in some circumstances, but a lightstand is just better all around. A tripod is meant to hold a camera rock-solid. A lightstand is meant to hold a light reasonably in the same place. It's just three short legs on the bottom, with a tall shaft. The legs are very quickly and easily deployed, and the whole thing folds down much more compact than a tripod (I'm going to get a strap for mine tomorrow, and then it'll be nothing at all to throw it over my shoulder with a flash and umbrella bungeed on)

[FlashZebra]

thanks for the comment zebra :) didnt know that about the "spigot". So does that style of umbrella holder only permit you to put it on a tripod? you wouldnt be able to fit it on a light stand as well, correct?

also, is it just the height that is better about a lightstand vs tripod. Why exactly is up higher, better?
MANY of the nice inexpensive umbrella adapters sold today allow you to mount the umbrella adapter on a light stand (the best way) or a tripod (an often workable but not optimal way).

You use the spigot to allow attachment to a tripod, and remove it to allow attachment to a lightstand.

Of course I cannot make this declaration for all umbrella adapters as there are many different units out there.

Enjoy! Lon

[Digitalwave]

didnt realize those issues exsisted with the pc connection on the v2's. Alright nevermind then, I will just use the hotshoe connection

ok so with that out of the way, how exactly would a setup like this mount to come type of clamp? from watching the youtube videos I see how the umbrella holder mounts to the lightstand, but im curious about the different clamps. Would I be safe to assume most people use a cheap lightstand/umbrella mount when starting out?

I just opened up my Cactus receiver and I can see how spinning the sync cable while its connected to the receiver could break the wire going to the hot shoe. However, as long as you aren't spinning the cable and you are gentle while attaching and detaching it, you shouldn't have a problem with it. And if you break it, all is not lost. With some basic soldering skills you can reattach the wire. And if you can't, a new receiver is $17 :)

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someone must sell some type of rotating headphone jack to help prevent this