From: jacobson@cello.hpl.hp.com (David Jacobson)
Subject: Re: SB-24/wedding (Re: AF/AE vs. Manual aka All That Jazz) 
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1992 03:45:24 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Laboratories

In article <9!gm26b.hchong@netcom.com> hchong@netcom.com (Hoi Chong) writes:
[Quote from Mark Goldberg deleted]
>
>I was going to start a new thread about possibly buying SB-24, but since
>you already mentioned SB-24...
>
>
>Now how do you use SB-24 for vertical shot?  Presumably, I would want
>bounced flash *all the time*.   oes the SB-24 has a cardboard bounce accessary
>like the old Vivitar 285?  Is there any (cheap) way I can enable ceiling
>bounced flash even on vertical shot?

There are two ways to do what you ask.  1.  Get a Stroboframe flash
bracket.  I think the numbers are RL/c or RL/2000.  (I don't own one,
but have heard nothing but good about them.)  These have rotating
brackets so the camera can turn on end while the flash bracket stays
vertical.  If you are not using a bouncer, then you will need to
adjust the zoom on the flash manually to 2/3 the focal length.  But
you probably want to use a bouncer.  I have the LumiQuest 80/20 and
like it.  80% of the light continues up to bounce off the ceiling and
20% is reflected to avoid shadows under eyesockes and nose and to give
some sparkle to eyes.  If you want 100% reflection you can use the
Pocket Bouncer or the Big Bounce.

2. This is the perfect lead-in for my latest construction story.  You
can mount your flash on a stand, and possibly bounce it off an
umbrella.  Here is how I made one cheap.  This isn't appropriate for a
wedding, but you can certainly do it in the privacy of your own home. :-) 
I went to Keeble & Shuchat in Palo Alto and bought the PhotoFlex
adjustable flash bracket for $19.95.  It consists of two pieces with
egg-shaped holes in the ends and set screws with big handles on them.
A clamp lets you control the angle between the pieces.  There are
brass inserts that optionally go into these holes.  One has 1/4-20 and
3/8-?? male threads, the other has female threads.  It also has
another hole and setscrew for mounting an umbrella.  I also found an
old Longarm twistlock painters pole.  (The thing that you faster a
roller onto when painting high walls or ceilings.)  It is about 4 feet
long unextended and will extend to over 7 feet.  We had one left over
from painting the house, but they are less then $5 at a hardware
store.  I took a pocket knife and carved down the threads making the
end small enough to go into the hole in the PhotFlex bracket.  I
clamped in other end in an old Christmas tree stand.  I mounted the
Photoflex bracket on the carved down threads, and put my SB-24 (on the
SC-17 synch cord) on the other end.  I had a white umbrella that we
bought at a (Long's) drug store.  I couldn't put that through the
umbrella hole, since the handle was (way) too big.  So I got a 5/16
dowel at the hardware, clamped it in the holder, and fastened it to the
umberella with rubber bands.

It all works wonderfully.

>What is the current price for S -24?  CWOO wants $254 (the same old
>"have stock (until they get your order)" but I am afraid they might call
>back and say check-and-found-no-stock).  I called Los Gatos Photo and
>they want only $249 (no stock, one or 2 week), but, was there some negative
>story about the shop in the past?  (OK, I will stay away from SJ Photo).
>LZ Premium don't have stock and do not know when it will come in.

Los Gatos Photo is a fine reputable place.  I've bought stuff there.
If they are cheaper than CWoO, snap it up.

>It has been a while (to put it mildly) since I did wedding, anybody care
>to review all the old tricks?
> 
>I have a 24-50Nikkor AF and a 80-200Nikkor ED AF, wonder if using the
>24-50 most of the time is wise?  I also have access to a 35-70/3.3-4.5
>Nikkor AF, but assume that it is in a different class than the 24-50,
>is that right?  If so, should I consider using it at all?  Or should I just
>dump them all and use the 80-200 all the time togather with my FM2n with 
>28/2.8 Nikkor MF?  In that case, then I probably need another flash, or maybe 
>do "natural" light for the wide-angle? 
>
>Any help is appreciated. 

Right about the flash.  The SB-24 will work with any camera, but what
you are paying for is a computer communication link with the an 8008
or F4 body.

  -- David Jacobson