Which swivel umbrella adapter for speedlite

AdeM

AdeM

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Adrian (Ade)
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been looking around for one to use on my Speedlite, I want a fairly decent one that I hope will last, anyone come across the Calumet adapter which looks absolutley identical to the Manfrotto Adapter (same pic I think)

Calumet adapter

Manfrotto Adapter

Just wondering if anyone has used either or has compared them

thanks

Adrian
 
I've got both, they're almost identical. Get whichever you can get for cheapest all in.
 
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I've got both, and found the calumet to be a rougher build and the stud tightener fouls the umbrella tightener. Maybe I got a bad un.

Unusual for Calumet - Manfrotto copies, normally they are excellent.
 
Had 2 of the Calumet adaptors arrive today, very very pleased with the build and the weight of them.

Highly recommended :thumbs:
 
Eighth Avenue said:
Sorry to drag up an old thread but I'm interested in these but can't see how they'd fit a speedlight? Is there another attachment included or do you need to buy something seperate?
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Yes, I think you need to buy a separate cold shoe to screw onto the brass spigot, or I suppose if you're using radio triggers such as cactus they could screw on directly and then you could mount the flashgun on the trigger.

The main problem I see with all these type brackets is that the speedlight head doesn't really point into the centre of the umbrella. There are a few designs where the speedlight is held horizontally, so it sits close to the umbrella shaft and does point to the centre of the umbrella. That seems a much better design.
 
Wavy C said:
Yes, I think you need to buy a separate cold shoe to screw onto the brass spigot, or I suppose if you're using radio triggers such as cactus they could screw on directly and then you could mount the flashgun on the trigger.

The main problem I see with all these type brackets is that the speedlight head doesn't really point into the centre of the umbrella. There are a few designs where the speedlight is held horizontally, so it sits close to the umbrella shaft and does point to the centre of the umbrella. That seems a much better design.
Click to expand...

You can mount the speedlight on an L-bracket, so that it lies along the shaft of the umbrella, personally I don't like the idea, as it means that the foot of the flash is subject to directional forces that it wasn't designed for.
 
I bought one of those Calumet brackets and I would just say be careful if using that hot shoe clamp with a RF602 receiver under the flash gun as it's not a snug fit and you could end up damaging the shoe.

Pete
 
Peter said:
I bought one of those Calumet brackets and I would just say be careful if using that hot shoe clamp with a RF602 receiver under the flash gun as it's not a snug fit and you could end up damaging the shoe.

Pete
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Although the RF602 can be screwed directly to the stud, and therefore negate the requirement for the coldshoe adaptor.
 
Risk a 580 on a cheap thread.... :eek:

A bit of common sense and care in fitting is all that's needed. I've used mine with my adaptors with nissin and canon flashes and not had a problem.
 
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