Safe way to dangle a speedlight?

[MOREGONE]

Hello,

So I do a lot of event photography and prefer to hold my speedlight in my hand off camera vs in the hot shoe. But I usually end up just leaving in on camera because it is easier.

When working for the newspaper I have to caption my photos which means whipping out the notepad and writing stuff down. If the speedlight is in my hands I end up doing some weird juggling act.

So I was thinking about solutions to this and thought about finding a way to attach a strap to the speedlight and attaching the strap to my Black Rapid near my left should so that when I need to use both my hands I can rest the speedlight in a similar position on my left side and have the camera on the right.


Anyone know of a way to do this or have other options? I have considered a hip case but not completely sold on that idea for some reason.

 

[runnah]

My speedlight has a mounting bracket hole in the side. I would imagine you could attach something there. Granted I don't know how strong it is but is the best option.

 

[MOREGONE]

My speedlight has a mounting bracket hole in the side. I would imagine you could attach something there. Granted I don't know how strong it is but is the best option.

Which type of speedlight is that?

Since I have the Yongnuo 622n trigger on it, I was kinda thinking a slip knot or something around the hot shoe and trigger would work.

 

[runnah]

Which type of speedlight is that? Since I have the Yongnuo 622n trigger on it, I was kinda thinking a slip knot or something around the hot shoe and trigger would work.

Canon 600 exrt

I think my old sb-800 had one as well.

 

[runnah]

Ok how about a pouch? Wear it on your belt or strap.

 

[table1349]

How about this with a cold shoe and a couple of transceivers?

Okay, on a more serious note, how about a wrist strap with mounting stud attached that you can attach the flash unit to, either by a socket if it has one or the socket on the corded shoe if you are using one of those.

 

[Derrel]

I use the back-of-camera mounted voice annotation button, which allows me to record a 60-second .WAV audio clip that automatically attaches to the file. It works GREAT for things like baseball games, track and field, whatever, as well as for caption information, e-mail information, and just "notes about the image". It's VERY helpful to have voice annotation. I think it's one of the marks of the true "pro" bodies. It is just super-helpful to be able to immediately, or at leisure, "voice tag" specific shots. The camera also has a small speaker for playback, so you can hear the recording, and it can be changed and re-done if desired. THAT is the simplest option...a camera that allows you to add voice annotations to the shots that need them. They are VERY small .WAV files, around 735 kb typically.

Wondering if you could attach a long-ish wrist strap to the bottom on the flash, maybe on the foot area, so you could just ,"Let go of the flash," and then have the use of both hands. A pouch pocket on a photo vest would be handy, especially if it has something to keep it "open". The other option might be a belt clip, so you could just clip the flash to your belt on the left side, when you have a need to use both hands to write down caption info and notes.

 

[MOREGONE]

I guess my hesitation with the pouch or a hip case is speed of use. The events I shoot often have drunk people and I need to get in and get out, I don't want to be making sure the pouch is open, fiddling with the flap or anything like that. Plus I keep a small case on my hip often with a second lens in it.

My D600 does not have that .wav feature, but that would be awesome since it sounds like it embeds itself into the photo? I wouldn't know how to match up the recordings to the photo later if it didn't.

I do have a wrist strap around I will see how that goes Saturday night

 

[table1349]

I guess you didn't like the had idea huh? :lmao:

 

[MOREGONE]

Walking around with a speedlight attached to your hat is some guaranteed birth control LOL

 

[table1349]

I wish I could find the photo I have of a DYI flash hat. It was a plastic hard hat with an umbrella/flash stand mount on top. Had a cold shoe and a small umbrella attached. The strobe was facing backward pointed into a small silver umbrella that faced the front of the hard hat. The light was directed wherever you looked. The guy that made it didn't even use transcievers. He was using a short cord between the camera and the strobe.

THAT was birth control. :lmao:

 

[ShaneF]

what about mounting a clip like on a knife or the back of a tape measure to your speedlight so u can easily clip it to your belt or pocket or one of those cellphone clips.

There is always the wonder that is Velcro to attach to the side of your camera and the speed light.

 

[KmH]

When I hand hold a flash unit that is on a radio trigger and need to free up that hand I just tuck it under my arm in my armpit.

If I'm hand holding the flash unit and using a coil cord from the hot shoe to the flash unit I drape the cord around my neck and let the flash hang against my chest

 

[GDC0727]

I'm new here but it sounds like the spider camera holster would work perfectly for you. Spider Monkey : Pro Accessories : SpiderPro Systems : Spider Holster this is the piece that is designed specifically for accessories like your flash.