If you can't find the right tools, make them.

Due to my shooting style, I usually don't shoot with an on camera flash. I know, purists will say I need one to open up shadows and soften them. That's exactly what I don't want to do. However, during my couple's sessions, I increasingly found the need to use a little light, from the lens axis, to put some emphasis on some areas of the image. The normal on camera flash I used in the past was way cumbersome and heavy. So I've been on the look for a very small flash, which at the same time would have an external sync port to use for my pocket wizard. I bought the Nikon SB-27. Although it's quite nice, it was still a big heavy brick on top of my camera. I decided to make my own hybrid unit. I purchased the Bowen SFD450N, which doesn't have the external sync port, but it's small and light. From Radio Shack, I got a 3.5mm stereo jack. I disassembled the flash unit and made a hole for the jack, next to the battery compartment and soldered the jack connections to the flash's foot wires of the hot and ground signals.

 

Put back the flash together and Voilá! I now keep the Bowens on my camera as a fill, in case it's needed and use the sync port to plug in my pocket wizard! I love it when I get things to work my way! Adrian

Introducing...R1D1

When I go out with my photo buddies, they have come to expect weirdness from me. When it's customers, they just stare and later appreciate the extra sitting bench. The thing is, tired of hauling bags, dollies, boxes or tired of my stuff going into the ground, I decided to take a radical approach. That's how R1D1 was born.

 

The good people of the hardware store provided all I needed. The Stanley wheeled chest. (there's different sizes) the PVC hardware, some screws, the things to hook up  the straps, the strap ant the rest was common garage stuff.

R1D1 functions not only as a gear box, with wheels. Also is my mobile power source.  My Vagabond battery is inside, you can see the power strip on the outside, ready to provide juice for my Alien Bees, my boom box or a small fan.

This is a detail of the side, where the painters pole rests. It's pretty handy. Sturdy and also much better than the light stand if it's windy outside. all the stuff in the box and the box itself make it extremely stable. That way I can even full the rig while taking pictures, like when I take pictures of somebody walking.

 

Here you can see how easy is to attach your tripod, lightstands, umbrellas, your walking cane and whatever you want, very safely attached with just one strap. No messy and bouncy bungees!

This is the rig in action. Fully deployed with my umbrella, music for mood, all my gear stored neatly inside, protected from the elements and readily available. As I said, the problem most of the times has been to get my customers to get off their comfy seat so I can get my stuff out.

Update:

One reader asked me if you could access the inside while having the pole in. The answer was no. So that bugged me enough to modify it and address two other concerns: Now it is possible to open the container at any time, regardless if the pole is in. I have now independent straps. This is useful if there's gear I use more often, so I don't have to strap / Unstrap Everything every time. Smaller bundles are easier to handle :)

Lastly, I added a net that keeps the smaller parts, rods or monopod from slowly sliding down and getting out of place. The net is kept in place by two small carabiners. So I think this is the last version. Not to give it a coat of black paint and we're good to roll.
Cheers!

Double flash umbrella swivel

I wanted a double flash swivel. They seemed too expensive to me and at the end, they still didn't have all the features I wanted. (a place for my pocket wizard, and to be able to align my flashes on the same axis of the umbrella. I looked into some options, but none convinced me.
So, I digged out an old flash bracket, and got to analyze it a bit.

I bought some Aluminum angle rod at Home Depot, for about $5 (the website shows over $9, but at the store is around $5) and cut a little piece, made some measurements and drilled some holes. Voilá, my new bracket aligns on the umbrella axis, actually I can reposition the flashes and I could add as many as I want by drilling more holes. So I just replaced the original flash base with the piece of aluminum rod.

I also want to mention a secret of mine. I used to buy these Nikon flash adapter, because they are just so well made, and have the locking pin. well, I don't know why, but I found these, that are exactly the same, plus have a cable I now use to add a 3.5mm mono plug to use with my pocket wizards. and less than 10% of the price of the other ones! Genius!
Lastly, I added one of these, to attach my pocket wizard. Total cost of the modification: $20 ( I already had the flash bracket)