Is there a way to make my flashgun sit higher on the camera?

I have a Nikon SB-400 & as you can see it sits pretty low down on the camera.



I want to buy some softbox's that sit on the Flash (i want to keep the flash attached to the camera). However, what i'm finding is that most of the good softbox diffusers are a bit too big and would hit the lens itself.

Therefore, i'm wondering if there is a way to raise the flashgun up a bit? Obviously an extension cord would work, but i would prefer to keep the flash attached to the camera.

Thanks.

Some flash remote units have an additional hotshoe on them for an on-camera flash, so using one of those will raise it up, but will likely cost you about the same as a 3d part unit that's big enough to handle your softbox.

Wouldn't a flash bracket do this as well? It will detach the flash from the camera but its the most secure way to do this.

I use those flash mounted soft boxes myself and I just angle the flash head up and use bounce. Works great.

Looks like y our flash doesn't have a tilt head though.

Your option may be to use a flash "card" instead of the soft box.

Sounds like you might want to look at some type of a flash bracket. They are specifically made to move the flash further from the lens; however, if it is for macro photography, I don't know how using one would affect close-up work. I believe there are specific flash brackets for macro work though.

I still use my stroboframe flash bracket that I bought to use with my Nikon 35mm film camera. I also have a cord which connects the flash to the hot shoe.

I think i wondered if there was something simple like a hotshoe extension or spacer or something (but i couldnt find any and so they probably don't exist).

My reason for not wanting a flash bracket (although they would work) is because of the bulk. I only really take shots of my child all around the house and wouldn't want to spook her with an even bigger contraption, lol. Also, i take the camera out a lot too, i.e garden or park and wouldn't want something that's become too big and bulky and need disassembling all the time.

I think i may have to concede that if i want to use a fairly decent flash softbox straight on then I'll just have to buy a different flashgun to the one i already have.

You could always get the SC-28 (Nikon's flash cord) which wouldn't add the extra bulk, but you'd have to hold the flash with one hand and the camera with the other.

Postmaster flash bracket is about $50. It will also get the flash a little off axis with your glass.

Tapp'n on the go

carguy said:

Postmaster flash bracket is about $50. It will also get the flash a little off axis with your glass.

Tapp'n on the go

Click to expand...

Can't find it on the web. Any links buddy?

paul_b said:

Can't find it on the web. Any links buddy?

Click to expand...

Thid is the one I have. You'll also need the TTL cord to shoot TTL.

bracket: http://goo.gl/ux0H19 / http://www.promaster.com/products.asp?product=1103

Cord: http://www.promaster.com/products.asp?product=DLXTTLCORD


Tapp'n on the go

Certain PC hot shoe PC adapters which are TTL pass-through (four pins on top), like this one
FlashZebra.com: Nikon Camera iTTL Pass Through Hotshoe with Screwlock Sync PC Port (Item #0266)
can raise the flash slightly ( I think a bit less than an inch).

But the SB-400 must be connected to those four hot shoe pins to work at all, so anything like a flash bracket will require the hot shoe extension cord, like Nikon SC-28 (new) or the older version SC-17 (Ebay).

It is also possible, and very easy, to make your own flash mounted soft box. Four slices or cardboard, glue and some white rip stop nylon cloth.

WayneF said:

Certain PC hot shoe PC adapters which are TTL pass-through (four pins on top), like this one
FlashZebra.com: Nikon Camera iTTL Pass Through Hotshoe with Screwlock Sync PC Port (Item #0266)
can raise the flash slightly ( I think a bit less than an inch).

But the SB-400 must be connected to those four hot shoe pins to work at all, so anything like a flash bracket will require the hot shoe extension cord, like Nikon SC-28 (new) or the older version SC-17 (Ebay).

Click to expand...

Thanks Wayne, certainly looks like an option

WayneF said:

Certain PC hot shoe PC adapters which are TTL pass-through (four pins on top), like this one
FlashZebra.com: Nikon Camera iTTL Pass Through Hotshoe with Screwlock Sync PC Port (Item #0266)
can raise the flash slightly ( I think a bit less than an inch).

But the SB-400 must be connected to those four hot shoe pins to work at all, so anything like a flash bracket will require the hot shoe extension cord, like Nikon SC-28 (new) or the older version SC-17 (Ebay).

Click to expand...

Is the promaster cord I posted the same as the SC Nikon cords you posted?

Tapp'n on the go

Appears to be the same function as the Nikon SC-28, except the Nikon has their rotating pin lock on it.

Nikon SC-28 TTL Remote Cord - Coiled 3-9' 4765 B&H Photo Video

carguy said:

Is the promaster cord I posted the same as the SC Nikon cords you posted?

Tapp'n on the go

Click to expand...

carguy, I'm not Wayne, but the promaster cord looks like it does the same thing as the Nikon. Basically it acts as an extension cord. I have the current Nikon cord and used the previous Nikon version until the rubber coating cracked and the wires started to short out (the rubber cracked due to how I had the cord wrapped around a stroboframe--when I flipped the frame to its vertical position, the frame pinched the cord and cut into it).

The current Nikon cord has a lever which locks the cord into place--looks like the promaster does, too. The previous Nikon version had some type of dial that had to be rotated (screwed) to hold it in place. Just by looking at it, it was difficult to tell whether or not it was locked. I know a few people whose flash fell to the ground because they didn't lock the cord. The lever lock works much better because of its visibility.

I've used mine a few times and never had an issue

Tapp'n on the go