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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Blue439" data-source="post: 824987" data-attributes="member: 53455">When I use flash, I don’t like to work with the light on the camera. Whenever possible, I set up my flash or flashes on stands that I position wherever needed. I set and trigger them via a radio gizmo attached to the camera’s hotshoe.With the big studio flashes (“monolights”, as they’re called), I have to use sturdy light stands because they are heavy and the modifiers on them (softboxes and the like) are likely to be large or very large. But when I use cobra flashes, I make do with smaller and lighter Manfrotto Nano stands. The irritating problem I have been faced with for some time is finding a good little ball head to orient the flash once it’s attached on top of the stand. This accessory needs to be very versatile to give as much flexibility as possible as to where to point the flash, at the same time it must be sturdy, nice and progressive to manipulate with a quality feeling to them, and remain invariably in the chosen position when tightened.I have tried many of various makes, and I have finally found the right ones, made by a Chinese (what else?) manufacturer under the brand “Sioti”. They are quite inexpensive but of surprisingly good quality, and having now tested them in the field, I have bought a couple to equip all my small-flash stands (the two Manfrotto Nanos and several sets of Neewer short ones for tabletop work). For you guys in the US, they can be found on Amazon <a href="https://www.amazon.com/SIOTI-Panoramic-Vertical-Compatible-Projector/dp/B071GQLJKZ?th=1" target="_blank">here</a>, and I’m sure elsewhere. I recommend them. Make sure you get the MX–20 model, Sioti makes others that I found of lesser quality, while being still acceptable.[ATTACH=full]411093[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]411094[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]411095[/ATTACH]Next week, we are leaving for a two-week trip to Provence, the primary purpose of which is to allow my wife to do watercolor. While she is busy doing that, I will from time to time escape to do one or two Romanesque churches, as there still are a few in the area I haven't seen yet, but I will also do all sorts of general photography attempts, and I intend to bring two or three cobra flashes to use out in the field. Those little Sioti ball heads will hopefully be put to some use! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite30" alt=":geek:" title="Geek    :geek:" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":geek:" /></blockquote>

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