How to mount hot-shoe flash on a light stand ...

It’s quite an open ended question as there are many viable options. However, the two most common ways is to purchase either:

1. Hot-shoe mount with ¼ -20 socket (also sometimes the pc-hotshoe adapter has a reverse side with the ¼ -20 threads)

2. Swivel-Bracket –with Mount for Umbrella, Light and Shoe Flash (that’s how they call it at B&H) - Comes with Male and Female Spigots, Swivel Bracket, and hot-shoe mount with 1/4″ threads.

I personally recommend option #2 as it’s far superior in functionality and cost and you have the option of mounting an umbrella. The swivel bracket comes with both a ¼” and 3/8” threaded spigot which is reversible depending if you need to mount it on a tripod or light stand which usually uses the 3/8” standard.

Tightening Screw on Shoe Mount

The swivel brackets hot-shoe mount that holds that flash uses a tightening screw to the side which helps hold the flash a lot better than the standard hot shoe mount which relies on a flimsy metal spring. Moreover, this hot-shot mount piece is removable and is ¼” threaded. In conclusion, there is almost no point to buy a separate hot-shoe mount when you can get a Swivel Bracket that already comes with a hot-shoe mount and often only a couple dollars more.

The two common “Swivel-Bracket –with Mount for Umbrella, Light and Shoe Flash” are the Impact and SP-Systems which are essentially the same just re-branded. Bogen, Photoflex, Delta, Norman, Hama also carry Umbrella light stands, but for the purpose of mounting the flash to a stand the basic $13.95 brackets will work more than adequate.

Example: Vivitar 285HV Flash Mounted on a Swivel Bracket which is attached on a Bogen Table Top Tripod

Best of Luck,

Ivan
ibwphoto.com

PS. For those who are DIY in nature and want to build one, here are the thread sizes:

1/4″ - 20
3/8″ - 16

Both are common threads and can be found at just about any hardware store.

Vivitar 285HV, 285, 283 Flashes Discontinued ...

Stopped by Kamera Korner in San Jose today and was surprised to learn that the Vivitar 285 (HV), 283s are no longer in production and discontinued by Vivitar. Its suprising since Vivitar’s 285 Model has undoubtly lit more picutres in the last 25 years than any other unit. The Vivitar units were the best bang for the buck with a guide no. of 120 GN and a more than affordable price of $60-80 New and $30-50 Used on flebay.

Well that is going to change as B&H Photo no longer stocks it and fewer and fewer are starting to appear on Ebay. As you all know the law of supply and demand, prices are going to start going up. Even the clerk at Kamera Korner told me he wished they could’ve known the news earlier and stocked up.

I guess my successful hunts/hunting for Vivitar 285HVs on Ebay will soon come to a close and I will have to face the reality that photography is NOT a cheap hobby after all. Yes, I scored two units for less than $40 last year and have shot them exclusively via Pocketwizard Radio Slaves. About a year from now, I would be lucky to see a used and beat unit for $50+. As you all know, people hate change…just think of the number of photographers who still rely on these flagship Vivitar flash units! Regardless, I am going to take my black plastic bars (soon to be gold?!) and continue to use them until they pop no more. Hopefully by then a replacement / clone will be produced. If all else fails, I will have some trusty monolight strobes to do the job.

Best,

Ivan

PS. The 285HV units have a lower triggering voltage of 6V. There are reports of OLDER / NEWER models with higher/lower triggering voltages. For Digital SLR cameras, it is recommended you double check the trigger voltage with a voltmeter since the Digital SLR hot-shoe syncs are rated no where close to the 270V capacity some of the older units use. You surely dont want to have your Canon’s 6V hotshoe fried! Read Strobe Trigger Voltage and Why Photographers should care? if you want to learn more about strobe triggering voltage.

PSS. Attached Vivitar 285HV / 285 and Vivitar 283 Flash User Manuals:
(Please Right Click and “Save Target”)
Download Vivitar 285HV / 285 User Manual
Download Vivitar 283 User Manual

Why pay $5+ for these instructional / Owner manuals on Ebay?! Any Photogtaphy Junky knows better!

DIY TTL Extension Flash Cable

Why pay $80 bucks for a Paramount extension cord? Build one with your existing Canon Off Camera Cord 2 and some connectors:

DIY TTL Extension Cord

Why does my Extreme III 4GB only show 1.8GB?

Very common overlooked problem.? Solution:
Look on the back…See the three labelled switch positions?

Move the switch on the side to the one labelled 4GB.

Can I build my own flash battery pack?

Sure can.? Its cheap and relatively easy to do!? http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message=6038636

Ivan

What is the best rechargeable AA battery?

The Battery Shootout:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/BATTS/BATTS.HTM

Is it safe to use 3rd Party Batteries?

Jim on Dpreview posted this interesting tidbit on it:

Rechargeable Lithium Ion (Li-ion) is relatively newer battery
chemistry. Li-ion batteries are popular because they contain a higher
energy density that almost any other type of battery chemistry. When
properly designed, manufactured, and used, Li-ion batteries have an
excellent track record. Unfortunately if improperly designed,
manufactured or used, and because of their high energy density and
other features, Li-ion batteries can pose safety issues. Reputable
battery manufacturers: Panasonic, Duracell, Eveready, Sanyo, Rayovac
among others ? all make excellent batteries. The quality manufacturers
of Li-ion batteries take special care in the design and manufacturer of
the batteries, and have them tested by Underwriters Laboratories
against UL 1642 ?Standard for Lithium Batteries.? Problem is that there
is almost no way for the consumer to know the actual name of the
battery manufacturer (Nikon and Canon do not make their own Li-ion
batteries). If you stick with the OEM (original equipment manufacturer)
battery, purchased from Canon, Nikon, etc. or an authorized dealer ?
you can rest assured that you are getting a safe battery.

So if you want to purchase cheep alkalines, NiHH?s, NiCD?s etc. ? go
ahead, its your money and your decision (remember you get what you pay
for, but safety will not be a major concern). But please think about
this before you purchase rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries from other
than the OEM.

Are the Ebay Radio Slaves any good?

A common question for those who dont want to shell out the big bucks for Pocket Wizards.? Having owned a set in the past, I can say that they are great for the money, but offer no peace of mind.? They seem to work fine for indoor studio shoots, but are quite erratic in outdoor shooting situations.? One of the things that bugged me most, is the auto-shut off feature, you never know when the unit is "sleeping" so sometimes your first fire just wakes the unit up.? My full review can be read here.
Ivan

How to prolong lithium-based batteries?

What better way than to learn at the Battery University. ?
Ivan

SterlingTek Battery Charge Time Question

SterlingTek batteries seems to indicate a full charge much sooner than? the original Canon batteries.? In thise case they will not be fully charged.? To guarantee a fully charged Sterlingtek battery leave the batteries in the chargers for at least
another hour, then they will reach full charge.