Super Clamps

[trailblazer]

Hey guys,
Anybody have any experience with super clamps?

Bogen / Manfrotto 035RL Super Clamp with Standard Stud

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546356-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_035RL_035RL_Super_Clamp_with.html# reviews

If doing strobist work or otherwise, has anyone used these and found they couldn't leave home without one anymore?

I want to buy at least one of these to mount a Nikon SB24 or a Canon 580EXII.

[Rudi]

I have two of them. Despite the fact that I don't use them all the time, I never leave the house without them (I shoot mainly on location). I shoot with studio lighting, much heavier gear than speedlights! Depending on what you attach them to, they're strong enough to hold just about anything (15kg/33lb).

[TMR Design]

I have about 24 SuperClamps. They're great little devices. It depends on what you're doing and the hardware associated with the clamp but they are very useful.

There are lots of gizmo's and attachments built for use with Super Clamps that really expand the possibilities and usage.

[trailblazer]

I just want to be able to use the clamp to stick a flash somewhere where a stand may be impractical, like near a walkway, entrance, or exit.

Ok, well I'll definitely pick one of those up too then.

Thanks guys

[RichNY]

I use these; they are great for mounting flashes to a superclamp.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5147-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_237_2896_Flex_Arm_for.html

[trailblazer]

So the superclamp by itself won't hold the flash?

[TMR Design]

The standard SuperClamp comes with a stud that will accept a strobe or an unmbrella adapter or the plastic foot from a 580, etc.

[Rudi]

Just FYI - superclamps are useful for more than just mounting flashes in unusual places. They are a versatile piece of equipment, and I will likely end up with more than what I have now, it's just that up till now I only needed two of them, so that is what I bought. You can also buy a smaller version of the superclamp these days, for lighter duty. I'm planning on getting a couple of those as well.

[RichNY]

So the superclamp by itself won't hold the flash?

You may find that the best place to mount the flash isn't the best place for the flash to be positioned. I started with a magic arm which weighs a lot more and is great for remote cameras but these are worth their weight in gold for flexibility. This is especially true if you are using TTL and have to position the sensors in a particular direction.

[L.Morey]

Great little device

[Hermes]

They are infinitely useful in the studio and I have more than I've ever taken the time to count, but I don't pack any in my strobist kit unless I know I'll need them for something specific. in real-world shooting I found that I just didn't use them often enough to warrant carrying around the extra weight and having them take up valuable space in my grab-bag.

[DDCSD]

I just bought 5 Impact super clamps. These things are great!

They're a bit cheaper than the Bogen or Avenger models, still great quality though.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/371927-REG/Impact_KCP700B26_Super_Clamp_with_Standard.html

I like those arms that RichNY linked to. I probably would have gotten one of those had I known about them at the time. As stated, you can't always get the flash pointed exactly where you want with just the standard stud.

[Blackey Cole]

I have 5 super clamps, 4 standard studs, to SC-SC studs, and two short studs plus a Magic arm kit and Monitor platform. They really come in handy. It is a great system. I just wished that the Bogen Lightstand adapter used the SC studs also. I bought two hoping that it would but it didn't. I have two plastic light stand adapters that use the same size studs plus the two Bogen one plus four or five cold shoe adapters so I will not be ordering any more any tiem soon. That gives me some flexibility in using studs vs cold shoes to mount my flashes since the canon flashes except for the 580exII require a PC to Hotshoe adapter that has a 1/4 20 screw setup so the studs just screw into them and then the speedlights are attached to the adapter and the clamp is tighten then the PC connector can be attached to a wireless trigger and the lights can be used in manual. Better than having the pc adapter just sitting in a coldshoe without anything except friction hold your speedlight on the light stand.

[trailblazer]

Ok guys, after some more reading (damn this thing gets confusing), I see that people say when trying to keep it light, they use
Justin Clamps
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/349147-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_175F_Justin_Spring_Clam p_with.html#features

instead of Super Clamps
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546356-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_035RL_035RL_Super_Clamp_with.html# reviews

Could somebody tell me, if using small flashes with maybe a 43" double folding umbrella sometimes, which is the better clamp to use and why?

[WillMass]

I've got a couple Justin Clamps, and fine them very useful wit Speedlites. Wouldn't use them for strobes though.

[trailblazer]

Ok well that certainly makes up my mind for me.
Not only is the Super clamp cheaper, but I hear it really is more sturdy and can be used for strobes which I may eventually get one day.

Thanks!

[TMR Design]

Ok well that certainly makes up my mind for me.
Not only is the Super clamp cheaper, but I hear it really is more sturdy and can be used for strobes which I may eventually get one day.

Thanks!

Super Clamps are ridiculously strong. :D

[gooble]

I've been researching the super clamps but I'm not sure exactly what I need to mount a flash on them. If I get a super clamp and a swivel mount with hot-shoe clamp will I have all I need or will I need some studs?

[TMR Design]

If you can give some specifics as to where and what you're shooting we can give you a clear and concise answer. The hardware you use is entirely dependent on the application.

[gooble]

If you can give some specifics as to where and what you're shooting we can give you a clear and concise answer. The hardware you use is entirely dependent on the application.

I'm putting hot shoe flashes on them. Why does it matter what or where I'm shooting?

[DDCSD]

I've been researching the super clamps but I'm not sure exactly what I need to mount a flash on them. If I get a super clamp and a swivel mount with hot-shoe clamp will I have all I need or will I need some studs?

I'm putting hot shoe flashes on them. Why does it matter what or where I'm shooting?

Do you mean an umbrealla swivel like this?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/298709-REG/Impact_3117_Umbrella_Bracket.html

If so, then you should get a stud with your super clamp.

[gooble]

Do you mean an umbrealla swivel like this?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/298709-REG/Impact_3117_Umbrella_Bracket.html

If so, then you should get a stud with your super clamp.

Yes, exactly but that is the question. Do they come with studs, what size stud etc.

[TMR Design]

I'm putting hot shoe flashes on them. Why does it matter what or where I'm shooting?

Well, it does. Se excuse me for trying to help.

[DDCSD]

Yes, exactly but that is the question. Do they come with studs, what size stud etc.

The ones that I bought came with the stud. The stud can then be inserted into the bottom of the umbrella swivel (in place of the one that comes with the umbrella swivel).

See below for the ones I bought. I think they can be purchased without the studs, but the ones that came with the clamp were specific to the clamp.



I just bought 5 Impact super clamps. These things are great!

They're a bit cheaper than the Bogen or Avenger models, still great quality though.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/371927-REG/Impact_KCP700B26_Super_Clamp_with_Standard.html

I like those arms that RichNY linked to. I probably would have gotten one of those had I known about them at the time. As stated, you can't always get the flash pointed exactly where you want with just the standard stud.

[DDCSD]

Here what it all looks like (except the hot-shoe clamp). Sorry for the cruddy shots, but you should be able to get the point. ;)


Everything apart.
http://derekcecil.smugmug.com/photos/490164619_aNkaB-XL.jpg

Stud in the clamp and top stud in the swivel.
http://derekcecil.smugmug.com/photos/490165314_brEPY-XL.jpg

Swivel mounted on the clamp's stud.
http://derekcecil.smugmug.com/photos/490163702_jU8bJ-XL.jpg


There is a bunch of different ways of doing it with the way the clamps are designed. This was the first way I tried, so it is how I do it.

Either way, I'd get the clamps that come with their own studs.

[hammer418]

The ones that I bought came with the stud. The stud can then be inserted into the bottom of the umbrella swivel (in place of the one that comes with the umbrella swivel).

See below for the ones I bought. I think they can be purchased without the studs, but the ones that came with the clamp were specific to the clamp.

Please --- could you tell me whether the screw on the the standard stud (of the Jason Super Clamps) is a 3/8" screw, or a 1/4"x20 screw ?

Thanks !

[TMR Design]

Please --- could you tell me whether the screw on the the standard stud (of the Jason Super Clamps) is a 3/8" screw, or a 1/4"x20 screw ?

Thanks !

Mike,

Standard double sided spigots will have a 1/4"-20 thread on one side and a 3/8" thread on the other.

[hammer418]

Mike,

Standard double sided spigots will have a 1/4"-20 thread on one side and a 3/8" thread on the other.

Thank you Robert ! :D

[DDCSD]

Please --- could you tell me whether the screw on the the standard stud (of the Jason Super Clamps) is a 3/8" screw, or a 1/4"x20 screw ?

Thanks !

Mike,

Standard double sided spigots will have a 1/4"-20 thread on one side and a 3/8" thread on the other.


The stud that came with my Impact brand Super Clamp has 1/4-20 thread on one side and no threads of any kind on the other. It is my understanding that the Manfrotto ones come this way as well.

Impact Super Clamp (the ones I own)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/371927-REG/Impact_KCP700B26_Super_Clamp_with_Standard.html

Manfrotto Super Clamp
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546356-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_035RL_035RL_Super_Clamp _with.html#includes


You can purchase a stud with 3/8" threads separately.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546381-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_036_38_036_38_Standard_ Stud_with.html

[gooble]

Well, it does. Se excuse me for trying to help.

Ok, I wanted to know what's needed to attach a swivel clamp with hot-shoe clamp to a super clamp. Why does the application or location matter? I wasn't trying to be rude I just see no relevance whatsoever. Maybe you can explain it to me.

[hammer418]

The stud that came with my Impact brand Super Clamp has 1/4-20 thread on one side and no threads of any kind on the other. It is my understanding that the Manfrotto ones come this way as well.

Impact Super Clamp (the ones I own)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/371927-REG/Impact_KCP700B26_Super_Clamp_with_Standard.html

Manfrotto Super Clamp
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546356-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_035RL_035RL_Super_Clamp _with.html#includes


You can purchase a stud with 3/8" threads separately.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546381-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_036_38_036_38_Standard_ Stud_with.html

Ahhhh......... I see.
Thank you very much for the additional information. :)

[BCRose]

Like others have said, don't leave home without my box of superclamps. The double ones are especially useful.

[JWright]

http://derekcecil.smugmug.com/photos/490164619_aNkaB-XL.jpg


My Bogen/Manfrotto Super Clamp came with a stud like the one pictured at left above. It has a 1/4X20 thread on one end and a 3/8X16 thread on the other. I use it to mount a small ball head to the clamp. It could be used to support a flash although I use it to support the camera in tight quarters. I used it to shoot the following images.

This was on the bridge of a ship at night. I couldn't use flash because of the danger of destroying the night vision of the watch standers so I attached the camera to a pipe and used a long exposure.

http://johnwright.smugmug.com/photos/254175674_Uhv8d-L.jpg

It also came in handy to shoot night helicopter operations. Again, I couldn't use flash so I used the Super Clamp to attach the camera to a railing. This way I could use a long exposure but the camera stayed oriented to the flight deck.

http://johnwright.smugmug.com/photos/253914326_Bh5mg-L.jpg

It also worked very well on an aircraft carrier...

http://johnwright.smugmug.com/photos/228398565_aJ3Gx-L.jpg

[MT Stringer]

Well, yes I do have/use the super clamps. I have two identical flash setups.
Hope this helps.
Mike

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd265/mt_stringer/Basketball/FlashSetup-650.jpg

[Cathpah]

great thread. My superclamp collection is slowly expanding. RichNY, thanks for the tip on the flexi-arms...I hadn't seen those before. Would be great for holding gobos/flags if I can find some way to attach the flag on the other end.

[Palladium]

a couple of items IMHO that should be in every super clamp kit
Right Angle Joining Stud for Super Clamp


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=workaround.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=546366&is=REG

Extension Arm with 013 Double Ended Spigot - 6"

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=workaround.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=546373&is=REG

[Rudi]

great thread. My superclamp collection is slowly expanding.

Yep. So is mine. Every time I go and get another piece of grip gear, I pick up another super clamp. :)