Hotshoe adaptor help needed

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glitch

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I've recently taken delivery of the Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe kit, but I'm finding that the little hotshoe adaptor on the mounting bracket is a bit flimsy and doesn't seem to get on very well with my 580EX II. It just doesn't seem to mate up properly and the little metal 'runners' on the hotshoe adaptor look like they'll do some damage if I'm not very careful.

So, if I wanted to replace it with something a lot more sturdy and suitable for use with the 580EX II, what would I need? It's got a little screw thread in the bottom, although I have no idea what size that might be. 1/4" Thread perhaps?

Oh, and can anyone show me how they've got the mounting ring attached to the adaptor bracket? I've followed the instructions to the letter, but it just seems like such an odd design. The two little grub screws or whatever they are almost get in the way of the ring itself. Am I doing it wrong?!
 
A little late but this may help if you haven't sorted it already

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Ah, that's a much better size than the one on the Lastolite website. Looks like I am doing the right thing. Thanks for that, Tomas.

Now I just need to sort out the hotshoe adaptor.
 
glitch said:
Ah, that's a much better size than the one on the Lastolite website. Looks like I am doing the right thing. Thanks for that, Tomas.

Now I just need to sort out the hotshoe adaptor.
Click to expand...

Ney bother mate, I've just ordered the 60cm jobbie from warehouse ex, we have cheap versions over here in Finland but they don't have the inner diffusion panels.
 
I'd suggest a Stroboframe mount like so...

50546.jpg


iirc they're about £12 without that mounting screw thingy although I think you can get a version with that for a few quid more.

How do you like the 60x60 Ezybox - is it worth getting one?
 
Flash In The Pan said:
I'd suggest a Stroboframe mount like so...

50546.jpg


iirc they're about £12 without that mounting screw thingy although I think you can get a version with that for a few quid more.

How do you like the 60x60 Ezybox - is it worth getting one?
Click to expand...

The bracket that comes with the ezybox is darn handy, it's sort of like a universal speed ring with a bit of 'destruct it yourself' add ons, beauty dish, reflectors etc.

Warehouse give you an option to buy the 60cm softbox without the bracket but I bought it! I'll have plenty of uses for that little chestnut.

I'll let you know how it fares when it arrives mate (next week hopefully).
A friend of mine has one and he swears by them. :thumbs:
 
:thumbs: I found a place that has them listed cheap(er), but I'll bet 10p to a £ that they don't have any stock at that price :suspect:

The wee "Magic" softbox from Photomart is worth having as well, T....it's only £32 or something like that...
 
Flash In The Pan said:
:thumbs: I found a place that has them listed cheap(er), but I'll bet 10p to a £ that they don't have any stock at that price :suspect:

The wee "Magic" softbox from Photomart is worth having as well, T....it's only £32 or something like that...
Click to expand...

Yer I had looked at the lumiquest II and III jobbies as well, they were very fairly prices (even for Finland) but they only go up to around 40cm.
I'm looking for a much larger light source for half body shots and possibly full body shots too. The 60cm job weighs 1kg though so it's adding to my weight a fair bit :( but my buddy says they are well worth it
 
Tomas Whitehouse said:
Yer I had looked at the lumiquest II and III jobbies as well, they were very fairly prices (even for Finland) but they only go up to around 40cm.
I'm looking for a much larger light source for half body shots and possibly full body shots too. The 60cm job weighs 1kg though so it's adding to my weight a fair bit :( but my buddy says they are well worth it
Click to expand...

Have you seen the Westcott Apollo 50"x50" JS Softbox?

softbox.inside.jpg


I think that's just the 28x28 version, but the 50x50 works on the same principle, basically it's a softbox that operates like an umbrella and can be set up in a couple of minutes. Far from cheap though :bonk:
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Have you seen the Westcott Apollo 50"x50" JS Softbox?

softbox.inside.jpg


I think that's just the 28x28 version, but the 50x50 works on the same principle, basically it's a softbox that operates like an umbrella and can be set up in a couple of minutes. Far from cheap though :bonk:
Click to expand...

:eek: That's roughly how much the ezy 60cm job would cost if I bought it here!, that looks pretty nifty though mate and until you had posted the link, I hadn't heard of them:thumbs:
 
I hadn't heard of them either until I got the Zack Arias dvd and he was using one. The thing is huge when it's set up and gives a lovely soft light. Not so sure it would be so good for location shoots over here though, first gust of wind and it, the flashgun and stand would be 30ft up a tree :lol:
 
Silly question but how on earth does that attatch to the light stand? Could you tell from the video flash?
 
n30_mkii said:
Silly question but how on earth does that attatch to the light stand? Could you tell from the video flash?
Click to expand...


Just like a regular umbrella, that's the beauty of it, it's basically just a very expensive square umbrella. If you look closely at the pic you can make out the umbrella shaft going through the adapter on the stand
 
Tomas Whitehouse said:
:eek: That's roughly how much the ezy 60cm job would cost if I bought it here!, that looks pretty nifty though mate and until you had posted the link, I hadn't heard of them:thumbs:
Click to expand...

There is also a Photek Softlighter II which uses the same principles http://www.photekusa.com/Softlighter.html. I bought it directly from B&H in US. It is very inexpensive and all and all counting the customs to UK it cost me around 90 pounds at that time. Considering that this is a huge size softbox and umbrella at the same time, this is a good investment.

It's very easy to setup and takes about 3-5 mins from fully packed to ready to be used.

This page has an example of this setup with the same size of Softlighter II and Nikon SB-800 flash (I'm sure other hotshoe flashes will be just as good for this). This is eaxctly what I'm using at home ;-)
 
I took delivery of my 60x60 Ezybox kit the other day. Quite impressive - all I need now is my ST-E2 to arrive and I can start using it!!

The new pocket wizards loook great though :)
 
Flash In The Pan said:
I'd suggest a Stroboframe mount like so...

50546.jpg


iirc they're about £12 without that mounting screw thingy although I think you can get a version with that for a few quid more.
Click to expand...
Now that looks like just the thing I'm after. Would it allow the 580EX II to 'lock' on?

Flash In The Pan said:
How do you like the 60x60 Ezybox - is it worth getting one?
Click to expand...
I'd recommend it to anyone using off-camera flash and needing to control the light. I'm hugely impressed with the quality of the materials and its construction (hotshoe apart) and it works brilliantly.

Flash In The Pan said:
:thumbs: I found a place that has them listed cheap(er), but I'll bet 10p to a £ that they don't have any stock at that price :suspect:
Click to expand...
I can't find any! Can you link-me-do?
 
glitch said:
Now that looks like just the thing I'm after. Would it allow the 580EX II to 'lock' on?

I'd recommend it to anyone using off-camera flash and needing to control the light. I'm hugely impressed with the quality of the materials and its construction (hotshoe apart) and it works brilliantly.

I can't find any! Can you link-me-do?
Click to expand...

:eek: Just read this on flickr, the chap says that the bottom screw can't be removed and he had to 'tie' his SB-800 in so it wouldn't slide off.
I'm hoping it can be removed, I don't fancy murdering anymore SB-800's this year :bonk:
 
Tomas Whitehouse said:
I'm hoping it can be removed
Click to expand...
It can.

On both of mine the end of the slot that's closest to you is ever so slightly wider than the rest and you can remove the screw by moving it down to that bit. Now I just need to find an alternative to use!
 
glitch said:
It can.

On both of mine the end of the slot that's closest to you is ever so slightly wider than the rest and you can remove the screw by moving it down to that bit. Now I just need to find an alternative to use!
Click to expand...

YES! Cheers for that, I have an alternative already, the cold shoe jobs that came with my umbrella swivels from Adorama last year.
:thumbs:
 
My ezybox came today! Smashin bit o gear too.

Were off on holiday tomorrow so no serious playing aboot just yet though but I did manage to quickly squeeze this shot of my lady's folk's dog, Ninja:

09D_0604-EditII.jpg


T.
 
That is a fabulous shot Tomas
 
Tomas Whitehouse said:
My ezybox came today! Smashin bit o gear too.

Were off on holiday tomorrow so no serious playing aboot just yet though but I did manage to quickly squeeze this shot of my lady's folk's dog, Ninja:

09D_0604-EditII.jpg


T.
Click to expand...


:thumbs:

I've ordered a 60x60, but the seller is out of stock, so it'll be next week before I get it :(
 
Flash In The Pan said:
I'd suggest a Stroboframe mount like so...

50546.jpg


iirc they're about £12 without that mounting screw thingy although I think you can get a version with that for a few quid more.

How do you like the 60x60 Ezybox - is it worth getting one?
Click to expand...


I have a similar type cold shoe and the 580EX II doesnt lock as its supposed to because of the flash's shoe design. Youre better off with something like this
 
strobemonkey said:
I have a similar type cold shoe and the 580EX II doesnt lock as its supposed to because of the flash's shoe design. Youre better off with something like this
Click to expand...


I've got the hotshoe version of those for my SB-600s and the Nikon lock is totally ineffective on them - I've actually ended up wrapping gaffer tape round mine to stop the flashes falling off, not pretty (especially as I used green tape :lol:) but it does the job...
 
Which ones are you refering too flash, that dont work with the Nikon Locks? I have an Sb600, Sb25, Sb26 and SB80dx
 
Just in case anyone is interested, I've found a more suitable candidate which are not only quite cheap but are also better than the Stroboframes in every conceivable way. The main way being that they actually work.

All they lack is a locator pin, but who cares about that?
 
Do you guys know that manfrotto makes a great coldshoe for about £8 on Teamwork's website?

I'm aiming to get a softbox very soon - just not 100% sure on brand or size!

the 50" Westcott Apollo is pretty high on my list though, if I can afford it - or even get one in the UK! - I hope it'll be ok for full-length portraits!
 
you can import from BnH leo, dek hog did one quite recently with the 24" apollo's and westcott double fold brollies
 
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