Grip head the wrong way?

I got a bigger soft box and it does not tilt down far enough before hitting the light stand. I know I could use an off set arm, the 40' grip arm, or a boom, but I need it as compact as possible for my test bench.

Anyway, I have this 6" baby pin that I could use with a grip head for the off set. When setting up the grip head the normal way, I don't like the grip handle at the right side and I have to use my left hand to grab the light, also the pin would slide down once the handle is loosen. So why not try the head upside down? I have more control with my right hand on the light when adjust tilting.

Well that's what I thought, any potential hazard using the grip head this way?

That's fine. I use all kinds of configurations including having taken the "permanent" grip off the arm when necessary.

Edit to mention: baby pins also come with one end that is larger than the rest. It's a nice safety feature to keep it from sliding out of the grip/knuckle and your gear ending up on the floor.

Yes, it should always go in that direction. The weight needs to fall so it tightens or it will simply fall from the weight of the load.

No issues. Always keep a leg under the strobe regardless.

Thanks guys. I checked up on the Avenger pin that LHB mentioned and ordered one. I do feel safer with that pin when I hang the light like with the drop down pin

NDAPhoto wrote in post #18930070
No issues. Always keep a leg under the strobe regardless.

Which way the leg is pointed has nothing to do with the grip head ability to either tighten or loosen.

Unless you like having things unsecured and doing things wrong you always have the knuckle on the right to make it tighten by the load.

Lotto wrote in post #18930985
Thanks guys. I checked up on the Avenger pin that LHB mentioned and ordered one. I do feel safer with that pin when I hang the light like with the drop down pin

Hosted photo: posted by Lotto in
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forum: Flash and Studio Lighting

For added safety, you could tie some para cord from the strobe handle to the arm.

fotopaul wrote in post #18931012
Which way the leg is pointed has nothing to do with the grip head ability to either tighten or loosen.

Unless you like having things unsecured and doing things wrong you always have the knuckle on the right to make it tighten by the load.

Ya think? The answer to his question was “no issues”.

Lotto wrote in post #18930985
Thanks guys. I checked up on the Avenger pin that LHB mentioned and ordered one. I do feel safer with that pin when I hang the light like with the drop down pin

Looking good! Now you need one of these:

RicoTudor wrote in post #18931065
Looking good! Now you need one of these:

I agree. I use these safety cables all the time - partly for the gear but you can't be too careful when babies are involved.

Thanks all for the safety cable suggestion. I don't hang the light dropping down often, but I do use the Kupo arm to mount the light at the tail end. Now another safety question: how to secure the safety cable to the smooth extension arm? What are your methods?

I rig up one with bank line for demo purpose, need to prevent the cable sliding out when extension arm is tilted downward.

One option - silent and non-scratching:

Lotto wrote in post #18931307
Now another safety question: how to secure the safety cable to the smooth extension arm?

Answer: you don't. The function of a grip arm is to hold a modifier, not a light. If you cheat in this regard then be aware of your transgression, and never endanger other people. Support components that are designed for a drop-down pin are provisioned for safety cables:

Oceanripple, good idea with the Nano clamp, easy to remove too.

Rico, I had a bad experience with those heavy junior booms. One time I was raising a fully loaded Avenger A700 combi boom, it slipped through my hands and almost took out one of my fingers. Lucky with no one around and I was not under it. That plus the super wild base often catch other things on the floor when I switch position, are the reasons I am using the C-stands more. I know you and I have different opinions on what can be used on the C-stand, but many occasions we don't have the best or right tools available, and have to complete the tasks with we got in hands. Anyway, thanks for your inputs, always enjoy the pictures of your grip gears, keep them coming

NDAPhoto wrote in post #18931051
Ya think? The answer to his question was “no issues”.

The answer to always have the leg under strobe is irrelevant to whether you use the grip head correctly or not. As for no issue, LOL yeah im sure grip tell their Key it doesn't matter on sets all the time....