Speedlite on Manfrotto tripod

[GroenHoender]

Another interesting question for the experts out there:

I have two Speedlite flashes as well as Manfrotto 190 and another (older no-name) camera tripod. I like both of these tripods as they offers me the option to adjust legs at any length, lock the spread out legs, as well as rotate/tilt the ball head (from upright to sideways position).

Now my question: how can I mount the Speedlite flashes on these tripods? I think I need some shoe mount but which one?

Sure, I can buy additional small/light flash tripod(s) for something like $20 each from B&H (it is also lighter and take less foot space) but the thing is this, I do not like to carry too much extra equipment around with me (2 extra flash tripods is a lot extra, even with my Manfrotto and no-name tripod included). Lastly, I prefer to stay with camera tripods as it will also allow me to mount my camera on these (a light flash tripod won't be able to carry a camera!)

Bascially use the two Speedlites on camera tripods in master/slave fashion with wireless triggers. And when not using in that aspect, the Manfrotto will then be used for camera purposes.

Any suggestions re shoe mounts for the tripod that will work with a Speedlite?

[Chris F]

With the 580 there is a plastic mount in the flash pouch. This attaches to the tripod plate, and the flash clips onto this like it would on the hotshoe.

[GroenHoender]

Don't have plastic mounts (or even flash pouches) for my flashes - they were bought 2ndhand

Can it be bought separately? And will the 480EX II fix in the 580EX's mount?

[Chris F]

GH here is a pic of the base that comes with the 580, and I would guess with the other models as well. The small 270 model has a similar but smaller base that comes with it.

the top of the base is similar to a hot shoe, thus any flash should slide into this.

[walterpike]

I saw someone selling the stands/ adapters seperatly - I can't remember either Graham Robertson or camera stuff I think. That's all you need. I have two small 5 piece 2m lightstands made by phottix - they are really lightweight cost R400 and easier to carry around than your generic no name brand tripod would be. much.

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

There are various little units. You can order the actual canon ones or use the small hotshoe adapters (screw in on the bottom, hotshoe on top)

Get slightly more fancy, and you get the adapter that can swivel and also take an umbrella

[GroenHoender]

@ Chris F: I have managed to source a 430 camera base / mount and have just now tested it on my Manfrotto 190 tripod. Fits well, and the 580 also fits perfectly in the 430 mount. Problem solved. Thanks for the suggestion.

@ Walterpike: I think I have mentioned in one of my previous posts that I am not interested in additional tripods (even if it is made for external flashes, mainly because it is additional stuff to carry around). I simply want to use my current tripod, a Manfrotto 190, for both camera and off-side flash purposes when the need arise, thereby minimizing costs and equipment to carry around. Thanks anyway for your suggestion.

@ Sean: thanks for your suggestions but that sounds expensive, even for me (who is very tight with his money). My Manfrotto 190 already has a ball-head on it, which already allows me to rotate/swivel/etc my flashes in any direction ;-)

Next step: get wireless triggers for both camera and flashes/tripod. Simple solution: Pocketwizards

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

The small unit I was talking about was just the clip and comes in at about R60 bucks

The others are between R250 and R500 and is a bit more involved. For R230 bucks there is a one like the unit above but takes 3 flash units at right angles

[Chris F]

GH PocketWizerds ..... NICE !!!!


but have you looked at the price yet ?

The TT1 on the Camera is about R 2 400.

EACH flash then gets a TT5 at about R 2 500.

for an extra R 900 you get another unit that clips ontop of the TT1. with this you can asign your flashes as A, B or C. Each group can be set to fire differently ...


It REALLY works VERY nice !!


but, this becomes another bag full of stuff that must be lugged around.


YES, there are cheaper "remotes", but maintaining full E-TTL functionality makes this a WINNER.


PS - switch on "top-to-bottom" !


Orms has no stock
Studio 22 has no stock

but Cameraworld in Bellville Voortrekker rd has stock, well that had a few weeks back when I picked mine up.

and I do believe ODP also has stock.

[GroenHoender]

@ Sean: isn't that a Markins quick shoe plate?

@ Chris: yep, the PW...feels that the only way to fully control light is to get the best tool for it. And also to prevent other gadgets from interrupting with the wireless signal. I was, in fact, last week at ORMS Bellville and got different prices (way cheaper than yours too). Will have to check again if I got the same items (and prices). None of these el-cheapo China/Korea/etc replicas.

[Chris F]

GH I just came back from a flash photography shoot.

Situation:
- outside
- cloudy sky, with sun occasionally breaking through
- late afternoon

result:
- without a flash there were hard shadows, well not "that" hard but definately NOT a good result.
- using a 580 and a softbox I created an artificial ligth source.
- then another 580 with a smaller home made softbox was used from low level to cancel the newly created shadows.
- me on the other side of the swimmingpool would not be able to use cables, but with the pocket wizerd I had FULL control of the flashes AND E-TTL making my life easy.


we actually played a bit, with and without the flashes, and different lenses and also different settings to get the correct depth of field - the beauty of doing shoots for friends, get to PRACTICE and hone your skills.


I will edit these pics tomorrow, but am very happy with what I saw on the screen, and what my friend already had on his laptop.


In summary - glad I spent the bucks on the Pocket Wizerds.

[walterpike]

@ Walterpike: I think I have mentioned in one of my previous posts that I am not interested in additional tripods (even if it is made for external flashes, mainly because it is additional stuff to carry around). I simply want to use my current tripod, a Manfrotto 190, for both camera and off-side flash purposes when the need arise, thereby minimizing costs and equipment to carry around. Thanks anyway for your suggestion.

Next step: get wireless triggers for both camera and flashes/tripod. Simple solution: Pocketwizards

None the less it's a better solution. Try the phottix triggers. Or if you feel the need to do it on the cheap - surely you can trigger your flash with your on board flash?

[walterpike]

@ Sean: isn't that a Markins quick shoe plate?

@ Chris: yep, the PW...feels that the only way to fully control light is to get the best tool for it. And also to prevent other gadgets from interrupting with the wireless signal. I was, in fact, last week at ORMS Bellville and got different prices (way cheaper than yours too). Will have to check again if I got the same items (and prices). None of these el-cheapo China/Korea/etc replicas.

By the way the phottix trigger - is not a PW knock off - go read some reviews.

[Chris F]

GH ORMS also quoted me cheaper .. but that means little when they dont have stock, and could not tell me when they would have stock. Best you phone Cameraworld to get the exact prices from them, I just quoted from the top of my head .....

I was at Cameraworld this afternoon, they DO have lots of stock of the Pocket Wizerds. (but they did not have the stands or shrims I was looking for ...)


triggering with on board flash - this totally negates/cancels your E-TTL functionality as the flashes will fire on the pre-flash.


Bit dissapointed in Phottix at the moment. bought their softbox and their backdrop stand. Had to totally re-do the assembly of the softbox as the speedlight mounted on top of the PW does not fit correctly in this unit ...., the whole unit needs to be assembeled off centre. Still better than the no-name units at Camera world which costs the same though. Assembled the backdrop stand, packed it away and took it to the shoot today - the carry bag's seems are alread torn open, and I have carried it a total of 20m ..... I should take this back to Studio22, but it is less of a hassle to make my own proper carry bag that WILL last. Maybe it is just me, but when I get home with R 2000 worth of gear and I need to repair it after the first use I am not a happy appy ....

[Larry]

By the way the phottix trigger - is not a PW knock off - go read some reviews.

http://flashraw.com/pocketwizard-law...-phottix-atlas

I think this lawsuit makes a strong case for the Phottix Atlas being a PW knock off

[walterpike]

http://flashraw.com/pocketwizard-law...-phottix-atlas

I think this lawsuit makes a strong case for the Phottix Atlas being a PW knock off

Makes a strong case that PW are a little worried about Phottix inroads on PW market and because PW are taking action a reccomendation to purchasers.

[walterpike]

GH


triggering with on board flash - this totally negates/cancels your E-TTL functionality as the flashes will fire on the pre-flash.

Surely that's only true with low end flash and low end cameras. I use the ittl functionality on my flashes using the onboard flash all the time - the preflash is what sets it up. Is this a cannon issue then.

[Larry]

Surely that's only true with low end flash and low end cameras. I use the ittl functionality on my flashes using the onboard flash all the time - the preflash is what sets it up. Is this a cannon issue then.

If you are using a "dumb" off camera flash, one that has to be set manually, and triggering it with your pop-up flash, then some flashes will fire with the pre-flashes. If this is the case then you need to set your pop-up flash to manaul as well. Some manual flashes can be set as optical slaves that know there will be a pre flash and fire on the second flash so your pop-up flash can still be on TTL.

In either case, the off camera flash is on manual and not part of your TTL setup.

[Chris F]

Walter I have only experienced this with an entry level / dumb flash.


I will go read the manual and see if I can set up this flash to "ignore" the preflash.

I bought this unit purely for back light purposes. would be nice to get it working with the E-TTL system.