Here’s a really easy way to get truly soft, portable lighting that moves along with you. Yes, it’s a bit more awkward to use than a Lightsphere or one of the attachable diffusers, but the resulting light is MUCH softer and prettier than anything the snap on diffusers give you (it’s just physics…this is a bigger source). This is the way it looks in use (see the post called Portable Soft Light Solution).
It has a wriststrap, so if you need to change cards, batteries, lenses at any time, you just drop the rig and let it hang, do what you need to do, and pick it up again when you’re ready to resume shooting. You position the SB 800 (or whatever your flash is) so that the remote eye can “see” the pop up flash and receive its exposure instructions. For best results, make sure you turn OFF the visible light from the pop up flash and make it a commander only (I’m talking Nikon here, but I’m assuming it can be done with other cordless TTL systems..)
The easiest way to do this is to find an old Domke Twin Flash Bracket, take off one of the hotshoes, move the bracket to one end and add a wrist strap. Then you have a nice grippable bracket. Unfortunately, I’m almost certain this bracket is a discontinued item (although you may find a couple floating around).
But if you can’t you can cobble it together with these items. It might involve taking a hacksaw to the bracket to shorten it, and forcing the 1/4″ 20 stud of the stud adapter (which you’ll be using as an umbrella holder in this rig) in the opposite way on the bracket, but I managed to whack one together, and I’m a total mechanical numbnut, so I’m sure you’ll find a way. You also may need to locate a longer 1/4″ 20 thumbscrew than the one that comes with the Smith Victor stud adapter because the included one on recent models was just a scoch too short to firmly clamp onto the umbrella. I’m trying to find a source for these longer screws.
Important to keep the flash as close to the center of the umbrella to make the most of its smallish surface. That’s why I like a bracket arrangement that lets me use the flash pointed up in the bounce position so it can lay close to the umbrella shaft and aim for the middle. Yes, I like the further diffusion of the dome, although it eats up some light and I will remove it if I need more power or faster recycling.
- Bower SS2477 Digital Wrist Strap
- Smith-Victor Stud Adapter -1/4-20 Screw to 5/8″ Stud
- Kalt Tripod Hanger
- Stroboframe Shoe – General Purpose (Includes 1/4 x 20 Mounting Screw)
- General Brand Straight Flash Bracket
Bob: Great idea! I love that hand holdable, on the move design. But is the umbrella you use with it the same as you describe in “Bob’s Compact Lighting Kit”? From the pictures it looks like it might be about 30″, but the one you list in the kit is 43″. If not, what model/brand umbrella do you use with the handle?
A second question: When you use an umbrella with an off camera zoom strobe like the SB900, do you generally set the Zoom to as wide as possible (i.e. 24mm on the SB900), and the illumination pattern to “Even”, in order to fill up the umbrella with light as much as possible?
Thanks!
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May 28th, 2009
Rick: All due respect to your attention to detail, but I clearly list and hotlink each umbrella type in the posts! To recap, the handholdable one is a Lowell Totabrella 27″, and the collapsible one is the Westcott. Each one is described and hotlinked in the respective equipment lists. I’m tryin’ dude, but you gotta read the fine print! Running off to the airport…you’re on your own.
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Comment by Rick Kent — May 28, 2009 @ 6:18 pm
Bob, What is the length of the Domke Bracket? I have some aluminum bar stock laying around that I could drill and make work instead of purchasing and modifying an existing bracket. I’m also wondering if the SV adapter would fit an old Domke Collapsible light stand, the top section is approx. 3/8″ in diameter. sweet stand folds to less than 18″ but extends to over 6′.
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June 4th, 2009
About 4-5 inches. It’s just a flat piece with a couple of holes drilled into it. Nothing a good machinist couldn’t whip up in a, er, flash.
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Comment by Bill Adams — June 4, 2009 @ 10:16 pm
Really great solution!
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Comment by Libby — January 14, 2010 @ 3:48 pm
Nice idea Bob.
Probably less weildy (is that a word) than mounting it on a monopod and a lighter solution.
Better if it rains too
CallumW
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Comment by CallumW — February 9, 2010 @ 7:55 pm
[...] Handholdable Umbrella and Bracket « Photo Traveler [...]
Pingback by Weekly Digest for March 16th — March 16, 2010 @ 7:31 am
Great idea, Bob. I would most likely attach this contraption to a human lightstand, also known as a wife, girlfriend, buddy, or assistant. No kids though. They’re too prone to play with the umbrella or wander away.
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Comment by Gordon Lewis — April 26, 2010 @ 1:46 pm