I'm interested in getting a 36" Photek Softliter II for some portraiture with my 10D and 550EX.

I have two Off-Camera Shoe Cords, but what attachment do I need to set the flash and umbrella on a lightstand, where the flash is pointing into the center of the umbrella?

Thanks.

afaik, Hama make an attachment that threads onto your tripod or lightstand and holds the umbrella. It also holds your flash unit and the whole thing swivels so that you can point the flash/umbrella wherever you like.

Probably best to visit your local camera store and enquire about a 'Hama head' or similar

You need something like this:

Adorama Universal Swivel Holder

OOS though. Bogen make one too, not sure where they are available though. I have the link at home, I'll check later.....

There's no camera stores near here, but I searched B&H and couldn't find a Hama under their Umbrella/Flash Mount attachments.

Here's the two that seem right, but I'm not sure which one would be best for the Softliter.

Photoflex Multiclamp with Shoe Mount for Umbrella or Softbox
$17

This is a versatile bracket that will fit on almost any light stand. It includes two removeable, reversible studs to adapt to light stands with top studs smaller than the standard 5/8 inch. It also includes a shoe mount, which will accept virtually any shoe-mount flash unit.

• Bracket tilts and swivels to make aiming the light or flash easy.
• Has locking umbrella socket.

Bogen / Manfrotto 2905 - Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite)
$28

This is a versatile aluminum bracket that will fit on almost any light stand. It includes two removeable, reversible studs to adapt to light stands with top studs smaller than the standard 5/8 inch.

• Bracket tilts and swivels to make aiming the light or flash easy.
• Has a locking umbrella socket that will accept umbrella shafts up to 3/8 in diameter.


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=pagination&A=nextPage&Q=&catId=3536&compareCatId=3536&shs=&ci=3536&ac=&al=&bl=&sb=bs%2Cupper%28ds%29&sq=asc&fi=all&com_138156_REG=&com_42160_REG=&com_149251_REG=&com_149252_REG=&com_121849_REG=&com_48874_REG=&com_250375_REG=&com_50067_REG=&com_121702_REG=&pn=1

I was just going to post a similar link:

Umbrella Accessories at B&H




The Adorama one works fine for me to mount my umbrella with my Sigma 500DG Super on a light stand, B&H has something similar for $13.95. I actually took off their adapter and used the one that came with the Sigma. You obviosly need a male stud to mount the flash stand/adapter on to.

Edited by DukeK on Feb 24, 2005 at 02:27 PM GMT

Thanks, Dukek - comparing it with the Photoflex, they look identitcal, and $2 less as well.

The Universal Swivel Holder tilts 180 horizontally and swivels a complete 360 left and right. The holder comes complete a flash mounting shoe, adapters to fit 3/8" or 5/8" studs or 1/4-20 screw thread and will also hold an umbrella. Precision metal casting.


I've just never used an umbrella, and not sure how the rod from the Softliter goes through the hole, since it's 90 degrees to how the flash will be pointing.

In case anyone else ends up here looking for the same answer, I got an e-mail from a photographer who uses a Lowell bracket on the top of a regular umbrella swivel adapter.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=32079&is=REG

The umbrella adapter stands up straight, with the umbrella shaft through it, and the Lowell bracket goes on top, with the flash attaching to the side of it, aiming straight into the umbrella.

I've posted his pictures of the set-up here:

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00BF9y