the right tripod(s) for flashes?

[rooftop_101]

what are good tripods for use of flashes only. i'm unaware of what is

needed to hold the hot show of the flash. just a different head to

the tripod???? need help. thanks!

[s2vach]

lightstands, instead of tripods, will do and most handle mounts like the sunpaks alrady have a threaded bottom that'll screw right on the stand. in the case of shoe mount flashes you need an adapter, but if you plan on firing them via optical slaves then a lot of those too have threads on the bottom (like the metz mecallux II) which can serve as an adapter + slave

[angel_o.]

Actually it doesn't matter if you use a tripod or a light-stand. Nevertheless, light-stands have advantages over tripods: they are simpler built, less weight, cheaper and can be easily raised to at least 1,90m (= 6.3 ft). <br><br>

To attach the flash there are very simple adaptors where you can attach the flash on the top and on the bottom there's a 1/4" tripod mount and there are versions that provide swivel capabilities where you may attach an umbrella too (see enclosed photo). Of course, if you own a device such as as Nikon's SC-17 or SU-4, you don't need these kind of adaptors because they already provide the 1/4" tripod mount. <br><br>

For additional information, <A

href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=005H4k">this thread</A> might be of interest too.<br><br>

Regards,

[lex_jenkins]

While the best rig for holding any kind of lighting is a light stand there is at least one tripod pretty well suited for use as a makeshift light stand: the Slik U212 Deluxe.

 

Why? It has an extra mounting bolt for a second head or any standard 1/4" thread accessories on one of the legs, and places on the other two legs for additional accessories (at extra cost from Slik).

 

I use my U212 DX more often for makeshift lighting rigs, to hold reflectors, etc., than as a camera tripod. But it's also a very flexible tripod for moderate weight cameras or camcorders.

[mskovacs]

If you plan to use them outdoors on uneven terrain (e.g. macro nature work) then a tripod works better. In this configuration, I trigger the flash either with an optical slave or a dedicated TTL cord, both of which have hot shoes with a standard 1/4-20 tripod screw socket. You can also buy a cold shoe to hold the flash on a 1/4-20 mount but you'll have to make sure its the type that won't trip a hot shoe flash if applicable.

 

If you want to work indoors, just get a light stand. They'll adapt better to umbrellas and the like and can generally go higher than tripods.

[timberwolf1]

Stands are 3-legged; so are tripods 3-legged. The term "tripod" is usually reserved for a device that holds a camera, not a flash. Stands hold lights and flashes and reflectors and backgrounds.