Westcott umbrella and flash kit

ShutterWork

ShutterWork

Suspended / Banned
Messages
865
Name
Anand
Edit My Images
Yes
Last edited:
I bought the Apollo 28" kit (from Premier Ink coincidentally - great service) and the quality if first-rate. The umbrella is the same material as the apollo soft box I believe; it's lightweight and at first glimpse, doesn't look that tough, but it is - mine has been through all sorts and all it's suffered is some stains from mud :)

The stand is good; well-made, light and packs away really small. The tilt head is good also - again well-made and the locking teeth on the angle joint help it stay at the angle you want without much fuss.

The coldshoe is the clamp-style design that can crush the plastic feet on triggers. I crushed on of my Phottix triggers because it's a deign with cutaways in it, rather than being one solid plastic plate (hard to explain) - just something to be mindful of.

I can't comment on light quality from the umbrella :)
 
Thanks Pat.

I read in couple of places about some the issue with the brolly clamp not angling preventing the flash from pointing to the centre..not sure how true or problematic this is?
 
Yep, there is that. It's one of the 'problems' that some users of the Apollo whinge about but TBH, unless you're metering every square inch of the light produced, then I really don't see any problems with the flash being biased towards one part of the brolly or soft box. Using two (or more) flashes inside on a bracket could improve spread (and power) but I'll leave that to the McNallys of this world... :lol:

This will actually be my next buy although if you go to Focus 2012 (Premier Ink were there last year) they do have show discounts - I got my Apollo kit for something like £125, which was about £30 off RRP.
 
Last edited:
specialman said:
The coldshoe is the clamp-style design that can crush the plastic feet on triggers. I crushed on of my Phottix triggers because it's a deign with cutaways in it, rather than being one solid plastic plate (hard to explain) - just something to be mindful of.
Click to expand...
Although it isn't on topic: I put a layer of shoe-glue onto one side of the clamp. That way it has a rubbery grip and won't need to be over-fastened.
 
I have that exact set it's OK, however the stand is a bit bendy at full height.
and deffo needs anchoring outdoors in light wind.

The coldshoe is the clamp-style design
Click to expand...
I'd say that the coldshoe is the weak part, I have crushed the plastic shoe on my one of my YN RF602s, when the stand fell. They are cleverly designed to break otherwise the flashgun shoe will break.

The tilting action is a bit jerky too - easy to have accidents. Maybe get the stand the umbrella, but look for a better coldshoe umbrella adapter

Mitch
 
specialman said:
Yep, there is that. It's one of the 'problems' that some users of the Apollo whinge about but TBH, unless you're metering every square inch of the light produced, then I really don't see any problems with the flash being biased towards one part of the brolly or soft box. Using two (or more) flashes inside on a bracket could improve spread (and power) but I'll leave that to the McNallys of this world... :lol:

This will actually be my next buy although if you go to Focus 2012 (Premier Ink were there last year) they do have show discounts - I got my Apollo kit for something like £125, which was about £30 off RRP.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that...i'll have a look.
 
Mitch38 said:
I have that exact set it's OK, however the stand is a bit bendy at full height.
and deffo needs anchoring outdoors in light wind.

I'd say that the coldshoe is the weak part, I have crushed the plastic shoe on my one of my YN RF602s, when the stand fell. They are cleverly designed to break otherwise the flashgun shoe will break.

The tilting action is a bit jerky too - easy to have accidents. Maybe get the stand the umbrella, but look for a better coldshoe umbrella adapter

Mitch
Click to expand...

Cistron said:
Although it isn't on topic: I put a layer of shoe-glue onto one side of the clamp. That way it has a rubbery grip and won't need to be over-fastened.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your inputs.

So the clamp does seems to be a major issue? Can anything actually be done when you crush the plastic shoe?

Or any suggestions on alternative umbrella flash holder? Have come across a few on Amazon - interfit, manfrotto, kaavie...they all seem to have an issue or other..so really confused now :(..thanks
 
I'm pretty sure I have some (metal) adapters somewhere that would screw onto the base of an RF602 receiver (might need an extra wee bit) and allow it to be clamped into the coldshoe without damaging the receiver.....
 
Flash In The Pan said:
I'm pretty sure I have some (metal) adapters somewhere that would screw onto the base of an RF602 receiver (might need an extra wee bit) and allow it to be clamped into the coldshoe without damaging the receiver.....
Click to expand...

Are these compatible with rf603s as well as I planning on buying these? Thanks.
 
ShutterWork said:
Are these compatible with rf603s as well as I planning on buying these? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Should be, I'll need to have a look and see what bits and bobs I have in the spares box....
 
ShutterWork said:
Are these compatible with rf603s as well as I planning on buying these? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Don't think they would, as the RF603 don't have mounting threads. The shoe is made of metal though, so it would be harder to crush.
 
Can anything actually be done when you crush the plastic shoe?
Click to expand...
The rf602s can be screwed direct on to those westcott stands as they have a male thread at the end of the spigot under a rubber cover. You loss the ability to tilt. There is an adapter that screws to the rf602s broken foot which gives you a metal foot it add about 2 cms to the height.

The plastic foot on the yn rf602s has two cut outs in the plastic that weakens it enough to break, if it was metal there is a possibility the flashgun hot shoe will break instead. A stand with the brolly outside can easy fall if the stand is not anchored. I’d rather the foot of the 15 quid trigger broke than the flashguns.

On the question of the clamp not centering the flashgun in the brolly, I wide zoom the flash head until the light fills the brolly – I’m not sure if it is correct to do this, maybe the more experienced people could comment.

Mitch
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Should be, I'll need to have a look and see what bits and bobs I have in the spares box....
Click to expand...

Thanks for that Graham.

Cistron said:
Don't think they would, as the RF603 don't have mounting threads. The shoe is made of metal though, so it would be harder to crush.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that info Mike. Gives bit of a confidence now:)
 
Mitch38 said:
The rf602s can be screwed direct on to those westcott stands as they have a male thread at the end of the spigot under a rubber cover. You loss the ability to tilt. There is an adapter that screws to the rf602s broken foot which gives you a metal foot it add about 2 cms to the height.

The plastic foot on the yn rf602s has two cut outs in the plastic that weakens it enough to break, if it was metal there is a possibility the flashgun hot shoe will break instead. A stand with the brolly outside can easy fall if the stand is not anchored. I’d rather the foot of the 15 quid trigger broke than the flashguns.

On the question of the clamp not centering the flashgun in the brolly, I wide zoom the flash head until the light fills the brolly – I’m not sure if it is correct to do this, maybe the more experienced people could comment.

Mitch
Click to expand...

Thanks for that Mitch. much appreciated.

The more I am getting to know about this adapter, the more sceptical I am whether to buy this or not....would you recommend any alternative holders/kit? I would rather get it right than having to shell out twice..thanks.
 
ShutterWork said:
Thanks for that Mitch. much appreciated.

The more I am getting to know about this adapter, the more sceptical I am whether to buy this or not....would you recommend any alternative holders/kit? I would rather get it right than having to shell out twice..thanks.
Click to expand...

If it's of any help the clamp type in the picture is the one I use with both the plastic footed SB26 and the RF-602 and I've never had any problems.....
 
I think you will be limited to the same coldshoe clamp design, as the rf603s and 602s have no circular locking nut. Those adapters, in the picture are perfectly functional and may serve your needs very well. Maybe I’ve been too harsh about them. :-)
 
Last edited:
Thanks Graham and Mitch.

Think I am going to go with this kit. Have made up my mind..(but may have wait slightly longer though as just had my car serviced yesterday and need 2 tyre replacement :()
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top