Umbrella tilt heads....

specialman

specialman

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Pat MacInnes
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I have a Westcott Apollo 28" and bought it as part of a kit with a stand and tilt head. Now, it's all good quality stuff - no complaints there - but the tilt head is one of those clamp/vice-type ones.... my triggers don't like this fitting - in fact, I've already crushed one trying to make sure it stays put when the umbrella is at an angle.

I love the locking design of the tilt (much better than the ball'n'socket tilt heads), but the coldshoe is woeful - anyone know where I can get a similar unit but with a different coldshoe?
 
Do you still have the cold shoe from the ball and socket?
If so try that on top.What trigger do you have?
 
Do you mean that the clamp-type coldshoe is the problem? :thinking:

The only other option is a regular coldshoe that the foot just slips into, but I have to say, you're the first person I've ever come across that would want to use the non-clamp type, as they usually lead to the flash slipping out and falling to the floor..
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Do you mean that the clamp-type coldshoe is the problem? :thinking:

The only other option is a regular coldshoe that the foot just slips into, but I have to say, you're the first person I've ever come across that would want to use the non-clamp type, as they usually lead to the flash slipping out and falling to the floor..
Click to expand...

Yep, the Westcott-supplied clamp shoe is the problem.... the issue is probably also attributable to the fact that the Strato triggers have a much thinner hotshoe foot than a flashgun, and tightening the clamp up has crushed one.

I know what you mean about the non-clamp coldshoe; those slip-in ones aren't particularly great, especially when you're moving stands around...
 
Your triggers have a 1/4-inch socket?
 
photon said:
Your triggers have a 1/4-inch socket?
Click to expand...

Yes. I have attached them via a socket on one of the ball heads I have, but I don't like those type of tilt attachments for brollies because of the sideways movement. I probably sound proper picky... :)
 
I was thinking of the Manfrotto 026 Lite-Tite with its double-ended spigot.

Too heavy/expensive?
 
Not exactly sure what the problem is, but I'm guessing that you could maybe take a file to the jaws of the clamp for a more precise fit. I've done that myself - takes two seconds.
 
+1 for that unit. I have it and use it in different ways.
 
HoppyUK said:
Not exactly sure what the problem is, but I'm guessing that you could maybe take a file to the jaws of the clamp for a more precise fit. I've done that myself - takes two seconds.
Click to expand...

It's me being a total dullard..... :)

Just tried my other trigger, which doesn't have a broken foot (don't know why this never occured to me before - doh!!), and the clamp hold it well. The problem with the broken foot is because the shoe on the Strato triggers isn't a solid piece of plastic (it has two holes in it), the side that has split isn't sitting flush inside the clamp so as you tighten up the foot slants and then pops out.

looks like I'll have to just use the broken on on a screw spigot and use the other on the brollie tilt head.

Man, I've just created a thread to expose my numbskullery - shoot me now!! :lol:
 
:bang:
There you are now shot:banana:
 
specialman said:
Found this:

http://www.lastolite.com/hotshoe-tilthead.php

Think it may be the kind of option I need - might order one to see....
Click to expand...

If it turns out you do need one of that type of coldshoe let me know, I'm pretty sure I've got the original ones from my Ezyboxes ( the genuine ones) lying around somewhere, failing that I have some of round Manfrotto-type plastic ones in a box somewhere.......
 
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