Umbrella/Flash mounts

Im looking for a new umbrella flash mount. I have the impact stands now and think there mounts suck. I have a softbox and it doesnt stay up. It keeps falling sideways and moving around. The pole just doesnt get tight with little screw they have there. Is there any good ones that arent badly priced? Im using the westcott apollo softbox.

I bought a cheap chinese one via eBay. Not had any issues with it.

This is one of the best. Manfrotto 026 (Lite-Tite) $29.50

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …vel_Umbrella_Ad​apter.html

Mufutau

Calumet sells their own version of the Manfrotto 026 for a few bucks less. It's not the exact same product at the Manfrotto 026, but very similar. Either the Manfrotto 026 or this Calumet adapters will get the job done so you don't have to deal with 'SFB' (Soft Box Droop). There were some 026's for $16 shipped a few days on eBay, but that's about the best price I've seen.

http://www.calumetphot​o.com/item/MF6830/

I have two of the Calumet Umbrella Swivels that qadsan linked and they work great. Nice and sturdy!

Mark

I've got a couple of these off eBay for my Speedlites and umbrellas..Cheap as chips and work a treat..

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

Got the same and works great. Unfortunatley not "cheap as chips" here where I live. Equavalent U.S $40.00 but we are used to getting ripped of here for anything photography related .

I have 2 of those Yogestee shows in his post above, they work great yes, but for a very small price difference I bought another 4 from here: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk …&ssPageName=STR​K:MEWAX:IT which I think work even better.

These can also take up to 10mm (3/8") umbrella shafts, but the shoe mount is way better: smaller and more secure needing no adjustments at the thumbscrew. I did modify slightly though, and trimmed the small triangular tab on the cold shoe as it was difficult removing the flashgun with the pins dragging on it. This tab is actually meant to secure the flashgun in place, but if yours have a locking ring or the lock like on the 430EX II and 580 EX II and you actually lock them, there is no way it will slide off.

Trimming this tab with a sharp knife saves some nerves and possibly the contact pins. If needed ask and i will post images to show the 3 minute mod.

I have 2 of these : http://cgi.ebay.com …ain_0?hash=item​1c0e328756

The only thing I do not like about them is they do not have 1/4-20 threads to mount anything other than a hotshoe flash.

It looks to me like all those eBay ones (starting with the ones yogestee posted) have an umbrella hole that is parallel with the cold shoe. In my opinion, it's better to pick an umbrella adapter that has an angled umbrella mounting hole. That way, the flash shoots into the center of the umbrella.

Mark

Yea i prob going to get the calumet one since its a lil cheaper then the one at BH

Yogestee, do you have the ebay link to this adapter. Thanks.

Mufutau

yogestee wrote in post #9095029
I've got a couple of these off eBay for my Speedlites and umbrellas..Cheap as chips and work a treat..

You are right but it still works OK..

http://cgi.ebay.com.au …ories?hash=item​2a02f27e67

The ones Yogestee posted images of have the shoe angled instead of the umbrella shaft hole. I assume it does the same job of the angled hole. Look closely at the images, and you can clearly see that the top face of the plastic bracket where the aluminum shoe is mounted is in fact angled. I do not know if the angle is sufficient but it is there. I see it clearly visible in the images he posted. On the same note, I must say that on the other ones that I posted the link to they are parallel. I am sure about this difference as I have both models and I have checked to confirm what I knew.

I just like the more traditional mount on the ones I posted as I feel it is a safer mount for the flashgun. I wish I had the time to go down now to my small workshop and measure the angle, and also to shoot and post some side by side images that will explain it better.

NoNameYet wrote in post #9097684
The ones Yogestee posted images of have the shoe angled instead of the umbrella shaft hole. I assume it does the same job of the angled hole. Look closely at the images, and you can clearly see that the top face of the plastic bracket where the aluminum shoe is mounted is in fact angled. I do not know if the angle is sufficient but it is there. I see it clearly visible in the images he posted. On the same note, I must say that on the other ones that I posted the link to they are parallel. I am sure about this difference as I have both models and I have checked to confirm what I knew.

.

You are probably right but the flash fires slightly off centre into my umbrellas.. But this has more to do with the height of the flash head than the angle..

Still,,the results are very good.