Here is a poor-mans articulated Macro Flash Bracket. All told I believe I have 1 hour of time and about $70 invested in this. I had a quick clamp I was using on a Giotto’s head. If you were to not use the Arca style quick clamp total sum of parts would $34. http://www.mindspring.com/~lilricky/bracket.jpg
Strong enough to hold a 550 at the end. http://www.mindspring.com/~lilricky/pieces.jpg
Parts List:
3’) 1/8 x 1” Aluminum stock $ 2.85 Lowes
3 ) lock washers $ .15 Lowes
4 ) ¼ x ½” Bolts $ .20 Lowes
1 ) Nut $ . 03 Lowes
1 ) Arca style Quick Release $ 35.00 Ebay NewTech
or
1) ¼” Tripod stud $ 4.00 Hama
3) Giotto’s M 1004 Ball Socket $ 9.95 Local Camera Hut http://www.mindspring.com/~lilricky/tools.jpg
Step 1. Cut aluminum into 3 lengths. 4in, 5in, 6in.
Step 2. Take the 6” piece and measure in 1” from the end. Then drill a 7/64” hole in the middle of that square.. Measure 1 more inch and make a mark. Now bend the aluminum into a U shape.
Step 3. Measure 1” from the other end and drill another 7/64” hole. This piece is done.
Step 4. Take the 4” and the 5” piece and measure 1” from each end. Bend into a U shape.
Nice job Rick. I'm working on a similar project myself at the moment, but I' having a devil of a time trying to locate cheap small ball heads here in the UK
Tom,
That would be an Arca-Swiss B1. A bit of overkill on that tripod, I know.
Someday I'll be able to own a Gitzo.
BTW. I sent a PM on another subject.
lilricky wrote:
Tom,
That would be an Arca-Swiss B1. A bit of overkill on that tripod, I know.
Someday I'll be able to own a Gitzo.
BTW. I sent a PM on another subject.
thanks rick, I bet you use this little tripod more even after you get the other , it is just so handy.
You can also build up one of these using the bogen flexible arms as well - I
call my "doc oc" for obvious reasons, and have an arca/plate/clamp on the
beastie. I originally used the lightweight flexible arms, but I found
that the flashes would sometimes move so I sprang for the big 'uns....
I don't know about the costs - I think the arms were $20 or so each, and the
flash holders were $5 each, the aluminum and cap screws were a couple of
bucks, and you can spend whatever you want on the arca plate/clamp (or just
get a 1/4 - 20 bolt instead... :-) )
