P3D Realist on Stroboframe 350

[erker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Greg Erker)]

Hi again,

  (background info)

  I do a lot of indoor photos (of my kids) with
the Realist. Normally I have it attached to a
Metz 45 potato masher type flash. I need a lot
of flash power since I normally shoot Kodachrome 25.

  The Metz makes the Realist very nice to hold
IMO. I have the flash on the right hand side
(Viewed from rear) and can adjust the focus
while holding the flash using my middle finger
(I have fairly large hands).

  One problem is that the flash is off to the
side quite a bit so you tend to get shadows
off to the side of people's heads (for example).

  I presently have 100 speed film in the Realist
so was thinking about having a flash on the
Realist's hotshoe. But then I'd have to give
up that nice grip I get with the Metz.

  (foreground :)

  So what I did was dig out my Stroboframe 350
bracket (used for 35 mm SLRs to allow the flash
to be flipped up so that it is above the camera
even when you are taking a vertical {portrait
orientation} shot).

  I used the 350 "backwards" so the grip is on
the right again. The flash ends up being nearly
centered over the lenses. Or you could leave
the flash on the Realist shoe and just use
the Strobofram as a grip.

  And it works very nicely as a grip. Easier
to focus than when I use my Metz since the
grip is smaller.

  B&H sells the Stroboframe 350 for $41.50 and
you can see a photo of it at:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/photo/acc/brackets/flip.html

  If all you wanted to do was use the grip
part and not the flash holding ability it may
be cost efffective to buy replacement parts from
the manufacturer. They sell every part for replacement
(I have the sheet at home). I recall that the
total adds up to $60, so it may be a bit cheaper
if you just buy the bottom bracket part and the
foam cover. You could then cut the bracket off
just above the foam to make it lower.

  If anyone is interested I can look up the
prices of these parts and email you.

  Or a handy person could get some 1/4" aluminum
and cut, bend and drill and tap their own bracket.
Or if your name is Alan Lewis you would make one
out of hardwood :)


Happy shooting - Greg E.

http://www.angelfire.com/ca/erker



------------------------------

End of PHOTO-3D Digest 2455
***************************