Flirting with Flash - Sarah

Just quickie from a recent test shoot with the lovely Sarah who will be modelling at my Beginners Lighting for Wedding & Portrait Photographers workshop on Sunday 28th September 2014.

A single Canon 580 EXII Speedlite was triggered with a Yong Nuo RF-602 transmitter/receiver set. The flash was zoomed to 105mm to create a beam and give some extra power. The flash was set at ¼ power (I guess). The light was giving some lightweight warmth from a Rosco #302 Pale Bastard Amber gel attached to the flash with a Gel Clip.

Camera & settings:

Canon 5D MkII, Manual, back AF button

Canon 85mm ƒ/1.8 EF, set to AF
WB Daylight

Lens focus 7.3m

100 ISO

1/60th sec

ƒ/6.3

Sarah stood in the shade created by a mature oak tree and positioned so she was against a dark uncluttered area of the background, whilst at the same time catching the back rim light created by sun light, lightly diffused by broken light cloud over a blue sky. The ambient light was under exposed by around 1.5 stops in order that the flash provided to key/side light on Sarah.  The image is essentially straight out of camera, with only my normal processing in Adobe Camera Raw.

The light cloud diffusing the sun acts in a similar way to introducing a net scrim between a hard light source and the model. Spun & Hampshire Frost diffusion gels have a similar effect. Remember with lighting gels you can control the amount of diffusion by using different densities of diffusion gel.

If you go to the LEE Filters website or download the LEE Swatch iPhone app, there are visuals showing the approximate effect of different diffusion gels. There is also a 3D test on this blog showing the effect of diffusion gels in use.

My thanks to Linda Johnstone for acting as VAL (Voice Activated Light Stand).

LEE Filters are available from dealers worldwide.

Canon cameras, Elinchrom flash & LEE Filters are available from The Flash Centre. Email Simon Burfoot or call Brian Collier at the Birmingham branch.

If you're serious about your photographic lighting then maybe The LIGHT Side Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/thelightsidegroup/ will interest you. It's about all things to do with light and lighting. TLS is a closed group so someone will need to add you or you'll need to send a request to be added. It's a friendly group, with a degree of humour and some great photographers willing to share and contribute.

LEE Filters Diffusion Gels Comparison

LEE Filters have an area on their website which shows an approximation of the effect of each gel in two dimensions, you may also see this in the LEE Swatch mobile app. To see the true effect of diffusion gels you need to see the effect on a model - enter Fred the Head.

Fred is a regular in our studio as he's reliable and not demanding! Seriously, it's good to have a constant model and set-up where you can test light and lighting so you can see the effect and later interpret and visualise when on a shoot.

Control image

The unmodified Elinchrom mono bloc flash with an 18cm standard reflector giving an angle of illumination of 60º.

Equipment

The Elinchrom flash head with 18cm reflector. Diffusion gels are held in place with Manfrotto Multiclips. Fred is placed on a bench with a mid-grey background roughy 6 feet away 2 foot 6 inches above head height.

Using the Multiclips is a simple, easy & convenient way to fix the diffusion gels in place and gives a constant distance of around 10 inches from the flash tube for this test. Shown here is 253 Hampshire Frost.

Do remember with all diffusion materials, gel and textile, that the closer to the light source the less pronounced the diffusion effect and the greater the distance from the light the more pronounced the effect. The diffusion effect and optimum distance from the light source will vary between diffusion gels and the effect you are trying to achieve, which is why you may want to consider using larger diffusion gels clipped to a separate scrim frame rather than directly to the rim of a reflector.

216 White Diffusion

250 Half White Diffusion

251 Quarter White Diffusion

253 Hampshire Frost

261 Full Spun

400 Leelux

410 Opal Frost

Net curtain, open weave

Net curtain, close weave

LEE Filters are available from dealers worldwide.

Elinchrom flash & LEE Filters are available from The Flash Centre. Email Simon Burfoot or call Brian Collier at the Birmingham branch.

If you're serious about your photographic lighting then maybe The LIGHT Side Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/thelightsidegroup/ will interest you. It's about all things to do with light and lighting. TLS is a closed group so someone will need to add you or you'll need to send a request to be added. It's a friendly group, with a degree of humour and some great photographers willing to share and contribute.

VAL Spigot Companion eBook Free Download

To show the breadth of uses for the 1420 VAL Spigot I've prepared a short eBook which is now available as a free download.

Lowepro Pro Roller x200 Light Stand Support

I recently read of someone who had the misfortune to break the tube in one of their Elinchrom Quadra Ranger heads as they were using it with an umbrella outside in less than ideal conditions without any means of stability at the base of the light stand.

Many photographers will opt for a sand bag or bags depending on the size of light and prevailing conditions for stability at the base of their light stand. Sand bags are fine so long as you have the means of transporting the weight and bulk. I do carry an empty sand bag in the outside pocket of my Lowepro Pro Roller x200, but it's not always possible to find suitable material to fill the sand bag. Incidentally, I don;t use sand in my sand bags as when it dries out it produces dust which makes a mess, so instead I use washed 10mm pea shingle which is just as effective and doesn't make a mess.

For those photographers who pack their gear light and tight why not use your camera bag, back pack or rolling case for stability?

All you need to do is put your light stand through the grab or drag handle of the case and rest the loaded bag on one of the light stand legs and rest the weight of the bag onto the tripod stand for stability equal to or better than a humble sand bag.

In this image I used a oriental reproduction of the famous Manfrotto Nano stand as these are what are carried in the case used for this shot. This also the reason I've opted for Elinchrom Ranger Quadra's rather than another brand or portable battery flash. The head is light in weight with a separate battery & controller so the light isn't top-heavy increasing stability issues when on location.

Elinchrom flash is available from The Flash Centre. Email Simon Burfoot or call Brian Collier at the Birmingham branch.

Lowepro camera bags are available worldwide http://www.lowepro.com/about-us/where-to-buy

The 1420 VAL Spigot is available from selected retailers in the UK and direct from me for US or UK customers.

If you're serious about your photographic lighting then maybe The LIGHT Side Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/thelightsidegroup/ will interest you. It's about all things to do with light and lighting. TLS is a closed group so someone will need to add you or you'll need to send a request to be added. It's a friendly group, with a degree of humour and some great photographers willing to share and contribute.

Working with available light

On Saturday 7th June 2014, a small and perfectly formed group of photographers, all members of the Facebook group, The LIGHT Side met on Brighton Beach in blazing sun and moderate wind to work with basic kit to create some stunning images of a delightful model, Lauren Cole.

Hard sunlight, with intermittent light cloud to provide some softening can be quite a challenge, especially when there is no convenient local shade.

With the aid of California Sunbounce reflectors, a DIY diffuser panel and an Elinchrom Ranger Quadra with the 26cm high efficiency reflector I encouraged and guided the group to think about and create their own images. And create some stunning images they did. There are no CLS (Crappy Lighting Sketches) of the set-ups, but there are a few wide shot BTS images. Considering we only shot for less than 80 minutes much was learned and achieved in such a short time.

My thanks to Lauren Cole for standing in at the 11th hour and to Peter Williams for assisting. Linda Johnston, Neil Hobday & Grzegorz Iwanski you did a great job and created images to be proud of.

© Copyright Grzegorz Iwanski 2014

As you can see here, the back/side light was at times somewhat harsh. That said, nice shot Grzegorz.

© Copyright Linda Johnston 2014

The conditions were fine for soaking up the sun or frolicking in the water, but not for flattering portraits. The sun was high and to camera camera right. In the above image the sun was flagged from Lauren with a white rip stop nylon diffusion panel, aka scrim, and light reflected to camera left.

© Copyright Peter Williams 2014

Behind the scenes - holding the reflectors was a challenge when the wind gusted!

© Copyright Neil Hobday 2014

In this image from Neil Hobday two reflectors were used - a California Sunbounce Micro Mini white/gold zebra to camera right and a white DIY diffusion panel acting as a reflector, low to camera left.

© Copyright Neil Hobday 2014

Another from Neil. I love the spontaneity in this image. Same set-up improved pose.

© Copyright Neil Hobday 2014

Again, same set-up. Nice one Neil.

In addition to various reflectors and diffusers Pete Williams & I both packed a single Elinchrom Quadra head kit into our respective backpacks.

© Copyright Grzegorz Iwanski 2014

Contrary to what some say, it is possible to create images in bright sunlight with portable battery flash without resorting to TTL triggers synchronising the flash at shutter speeds beyond the normal flash sync speed, which in most cases is 1/250th second.

What we did was simple, and simple without complications is good!

The direct sun was blocked or flagged from Lauren with my white diffusion panel creating what was in effect open shade. The Elinchrom Quadra was fitted with a deep 26cm high efficiency reflector (no diffusion or colour correction) and metered at around ƒ/8 +⅓, 1/125th 100 ISO. The daylight exposure was close at ƒ/8, 1/125th 100 ISO with the incident dome pointing to the sky opposite the sun and held close to Lauren's face. This gave an effective ration between the flash and ambient of 1:1 in this case the perfect balance. So no dark and under exposed sky here!

© Copyright Linda Johnston 2014

In this case the perfect balance, a stunning light from a hard and undiffused flash. The Quadra was running at around 25% output which is about the same as the average Speedlite or hot shoe flash at 100%. Basically, you can create this kind of image with Speedlites.

The Quadra was roughly 2 feet above Lauren's heard height and about 10 feet away at about 4 o'clock. Peter Williams acted as the VAL - Voice Activated Light Stand. The Quadra head was attached to a painters extension pole with a 1420 VAL Spigot instead of a light stand, which is far more practical on a beach with pebbles.

© Copyright Grzegorz Iwanski 2014

Did I say no dark skies here! Grzegorz (Greg) a great job with this image, the whole thing pulls together nicely.

Outdoor available light workshops are always fun as you don't know what to expect, especially in England. On the 7th June 2014 we were blessed with blazing sunshine and light broken cloud which acts like a scrim to take the edge of the sun.

Linda Johnston made the observation that the white Grid Cloth/RipStop diffusion panel was too much for her taste. Basically, the density of weave in the fabric reduces the intensity of the light and makes the shadows loose any edge definition, turning them milky.

Elinchrom flash is available from The Flash Centre. Email Simon Burfoot or call Brian Collier at the Birmingham branch.

The 1420 VAL Spigot is available from selected retailers in the UK and direct from me for US or UK customers.

If you're serious about your photographic lighting then maybe The LIGHT Side Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/thelightsidegroup/ will interest you. It's about all things to do with light and lighting. TLS is a closed group so someone will need to add you or you'll need to send a request to be added. It's a friendly group, with a degree of humour and some great photographers willing to share and contribute.

Rogue Flash Bender in use

Today I needed to create a very quick image of a small Jack Russell terrier for a website I designed and manage.

Pip is a working dog so she needs a decent head shot. She greets the clients at her owners stone yard

http://monumental-masons.co.uk/about_us.htm

As these small dogs don't sit still for long, I needed a rapid set-up - enter on-camera flash. Yes, that's right, I used a Canon 580 EXII on my camera hot shoe! I know that I preach off-camera lighting at every opportunity, but there are times when it's just not possible.

To soften the effect of the hard edge light from the Speedlite I used a Stofen Omnibounce in combination with a Large Rogue Flash Bender to give me a double diffused soft light close to the camera lens axis.

Ambient daylight was heavy overcast cloud. The camera was set to Av, 125 ISO.  Camera exposure compensation -1 ⅔ stops - flash exposure compensation +1 ⅓ stops. Lens, 85mm ƒ/1.8 at ƒ/4.

Image is straight out of camera with just my usual processing in Adobe ACR.

Simple is good. As is the ability to relate to and communicate with the client. In this case the owner, with my guidance, was standing behind me with a dog toy to gain Pip's attention. This is frame 3 of about 8. The phone rang which closed the session.

Bill Gekas uses the 1420 VAL Spigot

It's good to get feedback from customers and see the results of images created with such a simple piece of kit. Thank you Bill.

"Great product Ian! It was used on my last photo 'Kilcunda' and much more comfortable for the assistant than holding light stands. It's a very well designed and made product."

http://www.billgekas.com/p1014938437/h2befa497#h2befa497

The 1420 VAL Spigot concerts a simple painters extension pole into a cost-effective lighting boom and has a multitude of other applications and uses for mounting your lights and cameras.

Available from selected photo accessory retailers in the UK and direct from www.gelclip.com

Diffusing Speedlites with a Translucent Shoot Thro' Umbrella

Just a quick illustration of one of the commonest and least expensive modifiers, the translucent white or shoot through umbrella in use with a Canon 580 EX II Speedlite.

The above illustrations apply with the majority of hot shoe flash or speedlites which have a zoom head with a fresnel lens in front.

Look carefully at the images and compare the areas marked with the yellow arrows and at the the density of the shadow on the backdrop and the area of transition between dark & light on the shadow edges.

The unmodified flash wight the head zoomed to 105mm the flash is effectively a small point light source or hard edge spot light. By placing the umbrella in the beam the photons are deviated from their direct path creating the softening effect.

The angle of the zoom head also has a direct effect with the beam broadening as the head is zoomed wider. This also has the effect of reducing the intensity of the flash by up to one ƒ/stop.

Any modifier will also reduce the amount of light reaching the subject to a lesser or greater extent. Not all translucent umbrellas and diffusion panels reduce the light intensity by the same amount, so it's worth conducting your own tests to see the effect before serious use.

I use Fred the (polystyrene) Head and a grey plastic scoop for consistency, given me an accurate visual comparison between modifiers.

The white translucent umbrella used for this test was the Elinchrom Small 85cm/33.5in translucent umbrella which has a 7mm shaft so is cross compatible with my Elinchrom flash.

In the last two frames LEE Filters 430 or Rosco 3030 grid cloth was stretched on a DIY frame made from plastic overflow water pipe.

1420 VAL Spigot in the field

Photographer Peter Williams is a serving solider in the British Army so packing his gear light and tight is essential so he's ready to move at a moments notice.

Peter was recently assigned to a shoot for the Army in Gibraltar where he put his 1420 VAL Spigot to good use.

To save space and weight Peter packed a 1420 VAL Spigot, a length of copper pipe, webbing cam lock luggage straps and some adjustable bungees in place of a light stand. As you can see from the image above, providing you can find a sturdy vertical pole, rail, lamp post or whatever you have a light stand.

The 1420 is small enough to tuck in a corner of your camera bag and light enough that you'll not notice it's there until you need it.

For more information on the 1420 VAL Spigot and to order yours online visit www.gelclip.com

My thanks to Peter Williams for sharing this image.

See Peter on the web

Website: http://www.petewilliamsphotography.co.uk

Twitter: @P_WPhotography https://twitter.com/P_WPhotography

Instagram: petewilliamsphotography

Think Tank Photo Urban Disguise 40 with Elinchrom Flash

It's amazing what can be packed into some bags with a little thought. I've been using the Think Tank Photo Urban Disguise 40 as a day-to-day bag for 3 or 4 years now. As with all Think Tank Photo products it's exceptionally well made* and the layout thought through.

The kit illustrated in the image above is as exactly as packed when I travelled to London in 2012 with a group of local photographers to meet Charlie Waite, landscape photographer, author, founder of Landscape Photographer of the Year in UK & US and just a really decent sort of guy.

http://ianpack.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/shooting-charlie-waite-landscape.html

What's in the bag?

Less is more leaving me unencumbered by kit and consequently weight, but allowing me to concentrate on getting the shot.

The Elinchrom 56cm Portalite Octa soft box is a compact, lightweight and versatile piece of kit giving you a diffuse light source or even more diffuse light with a deflector in place. A beauty dish if you use a deflector and remove the from diffuser or remove the deflector and you have a very wide hard light.

From the top of frame, clockwise from left:

1. Canon 5D MkII with 85mm ƒ/1.8 prime lens
2. Elinchrom 56cm Portalite Octa soft box for RQ heads, plus connecting rod for deflectors (see below)
3. Elinchrom Quadra Ranger pack & old style lead acid battery
4. White & silver deflectors, 2'x2' sheet Rosco ½ CTS Grid Cloth, C47 wooden clothes pegs/pins
5. Canon 35mm ƒ/2 prime lens - a compromise between weight/size and speed
6. Elinchrom 2.5m Quadra lead & adaptor plate for the 56cm Octa
7. 1420 VAL Spigot prototype
8. Elinchrom RQ A head with Wilson Cap from The Flash Centre
9. Think Tank Photo Urban Disguise 40 shoulder bag - the bag features here is he original, not V2.0

It doesn't sound a lot, but the two lenses on full frame would cover my needs for this particular assignment. OK, there is no contingency kit but sometimes sense prevails - i.e. I was travelling by train to London during the afternoon/evening rush hours so didn't want or need to be burdened by my normal wheeled case with bag strapped on top!

Even with this inventory in the bag, there is still room for personal bits and pieces including an iPad, phone, water bottle(s) in the stretch pockets either end of the bag, or even a Speedlite etc if you're brave enough to go for a two light rig.

The 56cm Octa sits snugly in the rear outside pocket of the bag.

In the main compartment fit the Quadra head under the camera separated by a padded divider with the camera and lens wrapped in black protective fleece. It's not exactly a tight fit either.

There is sufficient space for the C47s, grid cloth & deflectors to slide between the bag & Quadra pack.

The 56cm Octa adaptor plate, Quadra lead and 35mm lens (wrapped in black fleece) and the prototype 1420 VAL Spigot neatly slip in to one of the expanding front pockets, leaving the other empty.

With care the Quadra lead may be coiled and the 56cm Octa adaptor plate sits within the coils with the lens inside the adaptor plate offering protection from knocks in transit.

That's it for now, don't forget to read about behind the scenes for the image of Charlie Waite.

http://ianpack.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/shooting-charlie-waite-landscape.html

Elinchrom flash is available from The Flash Centre. Email Simon Burfoot or call Brian Collier at the Birmingham branch.

Think Tank Photo bags ware available from many suppliers worldwide.

The 1420 VAL Spigot is available from selected retailers in the UK and direct from me for US or UK customers.

If you're serious about your photographic lighting then maybe The LIGHT Side Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/thelightsidegroup/ will interest you. It's about all things to do with light and lighting. TLS is a closed group so someone will need to add you or you'll need to send a request to be added. It's a friendly group, with a degree of humour and some great photographers willing to share and contribute.

* The friction material on some TTP shoulder straps is susceptible to wear rendering the anti-slip properties useless!

Lowepro Pro Roller x200 & Elinchrom Quadra Flash

Following on from my post about utilising the Lowepro Pro Roller x200, painters extension pole and my 1420 VAL Spigot as a portable light stand.

http://ianpack.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/1420-val-spigot-lowepro-pro-roller-x200.html

This blog will show the comprehensive Elinchrom Ranger Quadra kit in the x200.

This kit I find provides the basis for much of my location work. It may added to as necessary, but in this form it's packed and ready to go. The cameras and lenses are in a Lowepro Magnum 400 AW.

What's in the bag?

1. 2 x Quadra A Heads with Wilson caps from The Flash Centre.
2. 2 x 2.5m Quadra leads
3. 1 x 5m Quadra lead
4. 1 x Quadra controller
5. 2 x Quadra batteries (not the new Lithium ones)
6. 1 x Quadra battery charger
7. 1 x 18cm Quadra fit standard reflector
8. 1 x grid for 18cm Quadra fit standard reflector
9. 1 x case with Skyport trigger and receiver for Speedlite, spare batteries etc
10. 1 x Skyport receiver charger
11. 1 x 13.5cm Quadra reflector modified with barn doors
12. 1 x 56cm Elinchrom Portalite Octa softbox
13. 1 x 60cm Elinchrom Portalite Square softbox NB I carry only one adaptor for this and the Octa
14. 1 x Elinchrom small translucent umbrella
15. 1 x Lastolite Ezybox to Quadra adaptor
16. 1 x Elinchrom deflector set (silver, gold, white, translucent)
17. 2 x Nano stand rip-offs
18. 1 x short length 16mm aluminium tube wrapped with pipe insulation as a handle for a Quadra head
19. 1 x 1420 VAL Spigot
20. White grid cloth diffusion material
21. ½ CTS Grid Cloth colour corrected diffusion material
22. ½ CTB Grid Cloth colour corrected diffusion material
23. Few feet of Black Wrap/Cinefoil for creating shoots and general light control
24. 20" white translucent pop-up Lastolite reflector/diffuser
25. 2 x double clips for attaching gels and/or diffusion material to 18cm reflector
26. C47 Clothes pegs/pins and holdback spring clips
27. Micro gaffer tape
28. LEE Filters Colour Magic Saturates pack lighting filters
29. LEE Filters Colour Magic Cosmetics pack lighting filters
30. 1 x sandbag, empty
31. Folder containing printed Quadra instruction manual, lighting modifer test sheets and Rosco Filter Facts

Outside the bag I may strap a California Sunbounce Micro Mini gold zebra/white and even a carbon fibre tripod.

That is a lot of kit in a relatively small bag! Lightweight lighting on the move.

Elinchrom flash is available from The Flash Centre. Email Simon Burfoot or call Brian Collier at the Birmingham branch.

The 1420 VAL Spigot is available from selected retailers in the UK and direct from me for US or UK customers.

If you're serious about your photographic lighting then maybe The LIGHT Side Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/thelightsidegroup/ will interest you. It's about all things to do with light and lighting. TLS is a closed group so someone will need to add you or you'll need to send a request to be added. It's a friendly group, with a degree of humour and some great photographers willing to share and contribute.

1420 VAL Spigot & Lowepro Pro Roller x200

Back in October 2012 I blogged about one of the ways I utilise the Lowepro Pro Roller x200 rolling camera case http://ianpack.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/lowepro-pro-roller-x200.html

I'm still using the bag on location even though the current content has altered.

Over the last few weeks I've been exploring the multitude of uses for the 1420 VAL Spigot which I originally designed to convert a painters pole into a cost effective handheld lighting boom.

Buy your 1420 VAL Spigot online

Not everyone chooses to work with an assistant or is lucky enough to know a decent VAL (Voice Activated Light stand). Many of the additional applications and uses described elsewhere in this blog show the versatility of a singular lightweight and compact photography lighting accessory, namely the 1420 VAL Spigot.

Enter the Lowepro Pro Roller x200

When the people at Lowepro designed the Pro Roller x200 someone thought to put a ¼" 20 UNC adaptor on the drag handle to take lighting accessories. This is fine if you want a 3 foot light stand, which is why I've worked out how to use your 1420 VAL Spigot boom pole when assistance isn't too hand.

There are two options:

Keep the bag upright and extend the drag handle. To the extended handle attach your boom pole with 1420 VAL Spigot attached. In this case I've attached the pole with adjustable elastic bungees. You could use electrical tape or even gaffer tape. Bungees are quick, efficient, don't leave a sticky adhesive residue and are reusable.

The main problem with this method is the Pro Roller x200 is inherently unstable when in this position, which is why I prefer the following method.

Put the bag onto it's work support strut. Put your pole tipped with the 1420 VAL Spigot through the top carry handle loop. Attach the end of your pole to the strut by a secure method.

I use a looped length of Para Cord and a couple of key chain karabiner clips. This method creates what is in effect a cantilever allowing a stable base for your pole. I've extended my pole to 3m/10' aided by this method. It's also a reason I favour the Harris 3 Section 10 foot Extension Pole as the grip at the end has a hole which is ideal for attaching a clip by means of more Para Cord.

A snap of Monty, for no reason other than he's a cute dog:)

Elinchrom flash is available from The Flash Centre. Email Simon Burfoot or call Brian Collier at the Birmingham branch.

The 1420 VAL Spigot is available from selected retailers in the UK and direct from me for US or UK customers.

If you're serious about your photographic lighting then maybe The LIGHT Side Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/thelightsidegroup/ will interest you. It's about all things to do with light and lighting. TLS is a closed group so someone will need to add you or you'll need to send a request to be added. It's a friendly group, with a degree of humour and some great photographers willing to share and contribute.

1420 VAL Spigot with Frio Cold Shoe for Off Camera Flash

 

1420 VAL Spigot with James Madelin's Enlight Photo Frio Cold Shoe. The versatile lightweight lighting accessory designed to work with most ¼" 20 UNC and ⅝" 16mm lighting accessories. Make a lighting boom from a painters extension pole. More applications elsewhere on this blog http://ianpack.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/1420-val-spigot-practical-applications.html

www.gelclip.com order yours online for next day despatch.

Avenger D200 vs Kupo KCP200 Grip Head

The grip head is one of the most useful bits of grip in any lighting photographer and film makers bag. They allow you to position lights, scrims, overheads, diffusers where you want them. Until recently I used Avenger D200 grip heads but experienced difficulty obtaining them in 2013 so sought an alternative - Kupo Grip to the rescue.

Quick iPhone snap with a touch of PS processing!

Basically, both the Avenger D200 and Kupo Grip KCP200 are well made from cast metal. Kupo have taken their design up a notch or two with a solid cast locking handle instead of the rubber over metal of the D200, the profile of the slots which take rods, poles, spigots etc on the KCP200 is flatter with small grooves allowing profiles other than round to be used. The friction area on the KCP200 is toothed with a soft metal friction plate, rather than the smooth sides and fibre friction surface of the D200. This means the Kupo Grip product secures the head with less tendency to slipping. Both heads will accommodate rods etc from around 2mm to in excess of 16mm ⅝" - I regularly use both of these grip heads with either a DIY scrim frame made from ¾" plastic waste pipe or a California Sunbounce Micro Mini reflector.

Avenger D200 2.5in Grip Head

http://www.avenger-grip.com/cms/site/avenger/home/search_product/product_detail?productCode=D200

Kupo Grip KCP200 2.5in Grip Head

http://www.kupogrip.com/2-1-2-in-grip-head-with-big-handle-black/

Imported in UK by Ianiro

http://www.ianirouk.com/product.php?ProductID=174

1420 VAL Spigot - Painters Extension Poles

This post is primarily for anyone who has bought the 1420 VAL Spigot or who is thinking of buying one to make their own lighting boom.

Order your 1420 VAL Spigot Online

There are any number of painters extension poles available in DIY and home improvement stores. I have researched these products and have a few suggestions and points to look for when buying.

Points to Look For

• Most poles are supplied with a plastic taper over the tip. Unscrew this to see if the thread under is metal. If plastic don't buy it as it won't be up to the job of making a strong lighting boom.

It's what's under the taper which is important. On the right a cheap and nasty plastic tip.

Notice that the thread is only held in place with the metal punched into the plastic.

• Does the locking mechanism has a decent twist grip or even click button lock for the extensions? Painters extension poles which rely on twisting the inner pole to lock are generally inferior quality and at the lower end of the price range. Avoid as you would a communicable disease!

L-R Twist grip on a round cross-section pole. Flat sided cross section with a push to lock mechanism.

• Some poles will have a fibre glass outer tube which is both lightweight and strong. Some will be coloured which aids visibility from a safety point of view.

• Are the extensions round or flat sided profile? Flat sided tend to be stronger with less flex and don't twist. They also are a feature of the more expensive painters extension poles.

Flat sided cross section prevents twisting.

UK Buyers

I use Screwfix mainly as there is one local and they can get stock next day if necessary. You can also order online to collect in store or for home delivery.

B&Q, Wickes, Homebase all sell poles of varying quality. The models mentioned below I own and use.

Harris 3 Section Extension Pole

http://www.screwfix.com/p/harris-3-section-aluminium-extension-pole-3m/10063#

I've used one of these with the prototype Spigot for 3 years and it's still going strong, for less than £12.00 it's a bargain. The round profile isn't an issue as the twist grips allow for secure tightening and ease of handling with gloved hands.

Purdy Pro Pole

http://www.screwfix.com/p/purdy-fibreglass-telescopic-professional-paint-roller-extension-pole-4-8/20808#

This is my most recent acquisition. A 2 section pole which extends from 4 - 8 feet. Sturdy and lightweight. Originally Wickes were selling something similar for about £12.00. Unfortunately they have downgraded the specification and their version now has a plastic thread.

For some people a shorter boom may be desirable, especially where space is a consideration.

No-Nonsense is not a brand I am familiar with but this pole is quality. 2 section, extends to 50" and a snip at £9.99.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-superlock-decorating-extension-pole-30-50/81178

The equivalent Purdy offering is £22.39 and I can see no difference in the build quality.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/purdy-fibreglass-professional-paint-roller-extension-pole-2-4/73515

Until recently the Shur-Line range of painters extension poles were only available in the US, they are now available in the UK. I haven't actually used one but if the likes of Joe McNally and David Hobby (ask Strobist) use them, they must be OK!
http://www.decoratingdirect.co.uk/viewprod/s/SHUR-LINE_EASY_REACH_SCREW-FIT_TELESCOPIC_EXTENSION_POLES/

US Buyers
Living in England does limit my knowledge of the US market! I will recommend the Shur-Line Easy Reach Telescopic extension poles for the aforementioned reasons.

Shur-Line
http://www.shurline.com/products/frames-and-poles.aspx

Home Depot
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Shur-Line-Easy-Reach-60-in-Adjustable-Extension-Pole-06570L/100534761

Australia Buyers
Bunnings
http://www.bunnings.com.au/shurline-easy-reach-extension-painters-pole_p1560131


In conclusion, I use the Harris 3 section pole as it's a reasonable price, extends longer than the Purdy, surprisingly it is also lighter.

The 1420 VAL Spigot is available from selected retailers in the UK and direct from me for US or UK customers.

If you're serious about your photographic lighting then maybe The LIGHT Side Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/thelightsidegroup/ will interest you. It's about all things to do with light and lighting. TLS is a closed group so someone will need to add you or you'll need to send a request to be added. It's a friendly group, with a degree of humour and some great photographers willing to share and contribute.