Upgrading Umbrella Swivel Adapters

Currently I'm using two very cheap plastic Cowboy Studio umbrella adapters. Looking to upgrade to metal versions.

Considering these two, LumoPro seems to have teeth. Don't think I can go wrong with either, but looking for opinions.

Manfrotto 026 Lite Tite $34 on Amazon

LumoPro LP634 $22 at MPEX

Coldshoe recommendations? Just use the speedlight stands?

I've used these inexpensive ones for years
Impact Umbrella Bracket 3117 B&H Photo Video

The shoes are crummy (very poor, unreliable) and I quickly replace them with $8 Stroboframe shoes. But the brackets are great.

Plastic, but never been any problem. If they were to break, you can buy another and may still be money ahead.

Impact is B&H house brand. They may be Smith Victor (appear to be the same), and SV says polycarbonate.

I have a couple of the Manfrotto ones. Very well built and solid. Worth the extra few bucks.

WayneF said:

I've used these inexpensive ones for years
Impact Umbrella Bracket 3117 B&H Photo Video

The shoes are crummy (very poor, unreliable) and I quickly replace them with $8 Stroboframe shoes. But the brackets are great.

Plastic, but never been any problem. If they were to break, you can buy another and may still be money ahead.

Impact is B&H house brand. They may be Smith Victor (appear to be the same), and SV says polycarbonate.

Click to expand...

Thanks Wayne.

My concern is the mount choosing to break while a speedlight is attached. I assume you have not experienced that issue?

No, I have had no problem at all with them, I'd say in at least nine years (other than the crummy shoe dropping my speedlight a couple of times, before I replaced the shoes). They work really well.

All I can imagine happening is excessive tightening of the clamp screw on a light stand mount, might spit the narrow thin part at the bottom. I have had that happen to another cheapy type of mount, not these. That probably could strip the threads in an aluminum one too. But there seems no need to overtighten any of them, just an easy turn or so. And even if that could eventually happen, they are inexpensive to replace.

Re: Upgrading mbrella swivel adaptes

I also use the Manfrotto, with the addition of a Giotto ballhead so I can rotate my flashes for use with IR.

Thanks Jim, I saw your setup in a previous thread. Looks rock solid.

WayneF said:

No, I have had no problem at all with them, I'd say in at least nine years (other than the crummy shoe dropping my speedlight a couple of times, before I replaced the shoes). They work really well.

All I can imagine happening is excessive tightening of the clamp screw on a light stand mount, might spit the narrow thin part at the bottom. I have had that happen to another cheapy type of mount, not these. That probably could strip the threads in an aluminum one too. But there seems no need to overtighten any of them, just an easy turn or so. And even if that could eventually happen, they are inexpensive to replace.

Click to expand...

I appreciate the info Wayne. I'll checkout Impact also.

If you want a metal one, then you probably want a metal one.

B&H has a ton of them
umbrella bracket | B&H Photo Video

and there are lots of user comments on many of them.

I did see the metal version lol.

Any experience with Frio 'cold shoe' adapters?

I use the LumoPros...but that should go without saying. I never miss an opportunity to pimp the hometown brand.

if its for studio then the metal ones are fine, but for portability convenience the right plastic in the pic is fabulous. I use the right plastic one in weddings all the time (about 100 a year) I use it with my 42" photoflex umbrellas and theyve taken falls and I dont see a plus to the metal over the plastic when portability is the main need
.
I started with the metal ones but they are bulky and heavy and for the amount of gear I carry, I looked for something else. then I got the left ones. they kinda suck. the silver tightening screw for the flash is tiny and hard to really tighten down. plus, who the hell needs such a huge head for just a speedlight.

the right one has taken falls and is killer. for studio work metal are fine, for portability the right ones are king. $7 shipped. fastest to adjust also. best one of them all imo.

Good info Thank you!

Tapp'n on the go