Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter

  • Price: $19.45
  • B&H # PHSMA
  • Mfr# SMA-1000

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This Photek SMA1000 Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter fits onto almost any light stand. It has a swivel, an umbrella socket with a tightening screw, and a shoe mount for almost any shoe mount flash. Use it to aim your shoe mount flash. Add your umbrella and create a softer, more pleasant portrait light.

Fits most standard light stand tops
Cold shoe holds most shoe-mount flashes (except Minolta/Sony).

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter
 
4.6

(based on 68 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (42)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (22)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (4)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (0)

98%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Easy to setup (45)
  • Reliable (32)
  • Lightweight (31)
  • Consistent (18)
  • Durable (15)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Portraits (35)
    • Photography (33)
    • Strobe lighting (32)
    • Artificial lighting (22)
    • Weddings (17)
      • Reviewer Profile:
      • Semi-pro photographer (32), Photo enthusiast (18), Pro photographer (15)
      • Was this a gift?:
      • No (53)

    Most Liked Positive Review

     

    Best Umbrella Adapter for Most Users

    This is a fantastic little umbrella adapter. Not only is it about the same price as the common square plastic umbrella adapters such as the Impact 3117, Photoflex AC-BSWCP, etc, but it's also ...Read complete review

    This is a fantastic little umbrella adapter. Not only is it about the same price as the common square plastic umbrella adapters such as the Impact 3117, Photoflex AC-BSWCP, etc, but it's also more secure, compact, and durable. And even though it's almost entirely constructed of metal, it's surprisingly light (137g), which is even lighter than the square plastic adapters because it doesn't have the extra bulk of those designs (237g).

    The plastic adapters are fairly insecure but this adapter also happens to be even more secure than the more expensive Bogen / Manfrotto Swivel Umbrella Adapter 026 (aka 2905), due to the locking teeth in the main swivel section which the Bogen doesn't have. And because of the locking teeth, it doesn't need nearly as much torque as other designs. It's also way lighter and more compact than the Bogen.

    Another plus with this unit is that the hot shoe mount is securely bolted to it. On umbrella adapters with two female studs you need to make sure the screw holding the male spigot is extremely tight and the male spigot is screwed into the hot shoe mount extremely tight for it to be secure. The only drawback to having the hot shoe mount bolted in is you lose the ability to use your own custom hot shoe mount or orient it in a direction other than towards the umbrella.

    The only real downside I find with this adapter is that the particular hot shoe mounted on this unit doesn't have a locking mechanism, which can be an issue for some users. If you are mounting a flash with a screw tightening mechanism directly to it then it works great. But if you need to mount something in between this this hot shoe mount and your flash it can be unsecure. For example I have older Canon flashes without PC syncs and I have to use a hot shoe to 1/8" adapter to trigger the flash via pocket wizard. Since neither adapter has a locking mechanism on the hot shoe they are a loose fit and I have to tape them together. The Calumet Umbrella Adapter With Swivel (MF6829) is an identical umbrella adapter but with a different hot shoe mounted on it that has a locking mechanism. If you aren't attaching a flash directly to the adapter I would recommend getting that one instead. I am not sure if the newer Nikon speedlights with the quick release lever will lock into this hot shoe mount or not.

    One other observance is that while this umbrella adapter has a larger hole for attaching oversized umbrella shafts, the hole is not at an angle and so the umbrella stays perpendicular to the hot shoe mount. This doesn't bother me but it might bother some users.

    Overall, I think this is the best umbrella hot shoe adapter available despite the fact that it's one of the cheapest! I think it would be practically perfect if the hot shoe mount had a locking knob.

    Oh and don't forget to put a bit of tape on the top of the hot shoe mount so the contacts on your flash don't short. It won't cause permanent damage but your flash won't fire while the contacts are shorted.

    VS

    Most Liked Negative Review

     

    Solid, with flaws, inconsistent design.

    I received two of these Photek umbrella adapters, and am overall impressed. They are entirely metal, and built really sturdy. However, they have a few drawbacks

    1) Metal cold s...Read complete review

    I received two of these Photek umbrella adapters, and am overall impressed. They are entirely metal, and built really sturdy. However, they have a few drawbacks

    1) Metal cold shoe. This is all too common, but still a problem Put electrical tape over it, and keep your flash from having power issues or shorting out.

    2) Tension teeth a little too much tension. It takes alot of unscrewing to get these easily maneuverable with umbrellas, but hold on really tight when latched down.

    3) The design is inconsistent. One of my adapters had a screw hole for other adding other attachments through the coldshoe, the other did not. This is forcing me to return both items.

    Overall, it serves its purpose well, and is very compact, if you can get them with the screw holes you'd be perfectly happy.

    REVIEWS

    Reviewed by 68 customers

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    Displaying reviews 1-20

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    5.0

    Well built

    By Joe

    from Webster, MA

    About Me Photo Enthusiast

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Easy To Setup
    • Lightweight
    • Reliable

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Artificial Lighting
      • Photography
      • Portraits
      • Strobe Lighting

      Comments about Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter:

      No complaints so far.
      What made me choose this product was the fact that it was made of metal.
      It is nice and solid.

      • Was this a gift?:
      • No

      Share this review

       
      5.0

      Quick mount for wireless remote flash

      By jusjeff

      from Deep South

      About Me Semi-pro Photographer

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Consistent
      • Easy To Setup
      • Reliable

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Photography
        • Portraits
        • Strobe Lighting
        • Weddings

        Comments about Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter:

        I upgraded to the Canon T3i for the remote wireless flash triggering, I already had the stand and the umbrella so I ordered the Shoe Mount for my Canon 480 flash. It was the perfect match! The shoe mount holds the umbrella, flash and mounts to the stand with no problem. Good sturdy construction.

        • Was this a gift?:
        • No

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        4.0

        Using On-Camera Flashes

        By DLewis

        from Knoxville, TN

        About Me Photo Enthusiast

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Consistent
        • Easy To Setup
        • Reliable

        Cons

          Best Uses

            Comments about Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter:

            This purchase is part of my early exploration into studio lighting. I needed a way to mount a couple of on-camera flashes I own. The price is reasonable and it gives me the ability to light posed pictures in my home. The quality is very good. I can see that it will be handy for other things I might try.

            • Was this a gift?:
            • No

            Share this review

             
            5.0

            Seems very sturdy

            By JT

            from Haverhill ma

            About Me Photo Enthusiast

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Consistent
            • Easy To Setup
            • Lightweight
            • Reliable

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Portraits
              • Strobe Lighting

              Comments about Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter:

              Have just used a few times but seems very strong, all metal not plastic like some other cheap ones I've seen seems to work very well holds everything in place

              • Was this a gift?:
              • No

              Share this review

               
              5.0

              Best design I've seen

              By Mike

              from Arlington, VA

              About Me Photo Enthusiast

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Easy To Setup
              • Lightweight
              • Reliable

              Cons

                Best Uses

                • Strobe Lighting

                Comments about Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter:

                So far I love using the Photek SMA1000 Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter. It's small and made out of some type of metal, so it's very sturdy. I dropped it the other day while mishandling it onto a concrete floor, but nothing happened to it. I use this mount with my Canon 580EX II Speedlite and a 40" umbrella, and have not noticed any issues with the mount giving out due to the weight of the speedlight and umbrella. The teeth of the mount is also made of metal so when adjusting the angle, the metal teeth help to secure the position/angle. Lastly, there is a 1/4" and 5/8" female end to place on a light stand. I'm definitely buying another one once I'm ready to buy another speedlite.

                • Was this a gift?:
                • No

                Share this review

                 
                5.0

                Great Mount

                By Bevan

                from Salt Lake City, Utah.

                About Me Photo Enthusiast

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                • Consistent
                • Easy To Setup
                • Reliable

                Cons

                  Best Uses

                  • Artificial Lighting
                  • Photography
                  • Portraits

                  Comments about Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter:

                  This is a strong mount, well built.

                  • Was this a gift?:
                  • No

                  Share this review

                   
                  5.0

                  Perfect

                  By Heather Mishea

                  from Birmingham, Alabama

                  About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Easy To Setup
                  • Lightweight
                  • Reliable

                  Cons

                    Best Uses

                    • Artificial Lighting
                    • Strobe Lighting
                    • Weddings

                    Comments about Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter:

                    Replacement adapter for one that had seen better days.

                    • Was this a gift?:
                    • No

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                    3.0

                    Hot shoe umbrella holder works great

                    By Tom

                    from Melbourne, Florida

                    About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                    Verified Buyer

                    Pros

                    • Easy To Setup
                    • Lightweight

                    Cons

                      Best Uses

                      • Artificial Lighting
                      • Photography
                      • Portraits
                      • Strobe Lighting

                      Comments about Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter:

                      to hold umbrella and strobe on light stand. Does not easly hold a stobe cable, there is a way to do it using the screw and putting it in the clamp. This works but there should be a better way to do it.

                      • Was this a gift?:
                      • No

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                      5.0

                      Sturdy

                      By Craig

                      from Kingston, Jamaica

                      About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                      Verified Buyer

                      Pros

                      • Consistent
                      • Easy To Setup
                      • Reliable

                      Cons

                        Best Uses

                        • Photography
                        • Strobe Lighting

                        Comments about Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter:

                        Models & Portraits

                        • Was this a gift?:
                        • No

                        Share this review

                         
                        5.0

                        Just what I needed

                        By swmatrixman

                        from Tennessee

                        About Me Pro Photographer

                        Verified Buyer

                        Pros

                        • Easy To Setup
                        • Lightweight
                        • Reliable

                        Cons

                          Best Uses

                          • Photography
                          • Portraits
                          • Strobe Lighting
                          • Weddings

                          Comments about Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter:

                          I was actually suprprised that this was metal and not hard plastic. Won't wear out anytime soon and works great.

                          • Was this a gift?:
                          • No

                          Share this review

                           
                          4.0

                          Sturdy and Solid

                          By Trailwood

                          from Colorado

                          About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                          Verified Buyer

                          Pros

                          • Easy To Setup
                          • Sturdy

                          Cons

                            Best Uses

                            • Portraits
                            • Weddings

                            Comments about Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter:

                            This adapter seems very sturdy and solid. Works very well and holds my flashes in securely. Does what it should.

                            • Was this a gift?:
                            • No

                            Share this review

                             
                            4.0

                            Performs as expected for price point

                            By Klandmeier

                            from Houston

                            About Me Pro Photographer

                            Verified Buyer

                            Pros

                            • Consistent
                            • Easy To Setup
                            • Lightweight
                            • Reliable

                            Cons

                              Best Uses

                              • Artificial Lighting
                              • Photography
                              • Portraits
                              • Strobe Lighting

                              Comments about Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter:

                              Seems solid enough, nothing too flimsy. Dial which tightens foot of shoe mount is a little difficult to tighten securely as it's perhaps too small, my pocket wizards were a touch loose sometimes after tightening, thus 4 stars.

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                              • No

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                              4.0

                              Solid value for the price

                              By gbgunn

                              from Texas

                              About Me Photo Enthusiast

                              Verified Buyer

                              Pros

                                Cons

                                  Best Uses

                                    Comments about Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter:

                                    The adapter works as expected. It is solidly constructed and appears able to stand up to years of use. I have another adapter purchased from EPhoto that is horrible junk; its gear mechanism won't support the umbrella.

                                    I gave this a 4 rating instead of 5 only because it did not include a 1/8" screw adapter for mounting on the stand. Otherwise, it's a solid item and I recommend highly.

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                                    • No

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                                    4.0

                                    Great

                                    By HP

                                    from Terre Haute, IN

                                    About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                                    Verified Buyer

                                    Pros

                                    • Easy To Setup
                                    • Lightweight

                                    Cons

                                      Best Uses

                                      • Photography
                                      • Portraits

                                      Comments about Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter:

                                      Use with my umbrella and flash on a lighstand. Was easy to use and attach,

                                      • Was this a gift?:
                                      • No

                                      Share this review

                                       
                                      4.0

                                      Does What It Is Supposed To Do

                                      By Mr Specbus

                                      from Portland, OR

                                      About Me Photo Enthusiast

                                      Verified Buyer

                                      Pros

                                      • Better than competion
                                      • Price

                                      Cons

                                      • Ease of use

                                      Best Uses

                                      • Strobe Lighting

                                      Comments about Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter:

                                      This device is better built and a lot cheaper than the competition. Only complaint it that you have to be extra careful tightening the hot shoe grip so that you dont damage the plastic shoes that exist on some radio transceivers.

                                      • Was this a gift?:
                                      • No

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                                      4.0

                                      Simple and does it's job

                                      By brandon

                                      from kansas city, mo

                                      About Me Pro Photographer

                                      Verified Buyer

                                      Pros

                                      • Consistent
                                      • Easy To Setup
                                      • Reliable

                                      Cons

                                        Best Uses

                                          Comments about Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter:

                                          It's hard to review something that does it's job simply and as it should. Nothing overly good or bad about it. It just is what it is.

                                          • Was this a gift?:
                                          • No

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                                          5.0

                                          Solid and reliable

                                          By JamieC

                                          from Canberra, Australia

                                          About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                                          Verified Buyer

                                          Pros

                                          • Consistent
                                          • Easy To Setup
                                          • Reliable

                                          Cons

                                          • Tiny Bit Heavy

                                          Best Uses

                                          • Artificial Lighting
                                          • Photography
                                          • Portraits
                                          • Strobe Lighting

                                          Comments about Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter:

                                          These things are great. Cheap but not built cheap. They are a solid and heavy plastic meaning I can throw them in my lighting bag without concern. I love the shoe mount which works well with both my speedlights and pocketwizards.

                                          • Was this a gift?:
                                          • No

                                          Share this review

                                           
                                          5.0

                                          Well made

                                          By jcdovala

                                          from Thousand Oaks, CA

                                          About Me Pro Photographer

                                          Verified Buyer

                                          Pros

                                          • Easy To Setup
                                          • Lightweight
                                          • Reliable

                                          Cons

                                            Best Uses

                                            • Speed light placement

                                            Comments about Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter:

                                            This umbrella adapter is very well constructed as well as being small and light weight. This adapter just plain works. It would be nice if the cold shoe was easily adaptable to a spigot for attaching other clamps etc.

                                            • Was this a gift?:
                                            • No

                                            Share this review

                                             
                                            5.0

                                            The Best!

                                            By Nick Nixlan

                                            from Sacramento, CA

                                            About Me Pro Photographer

                                            Verified Buyer

                                            Pros

                                            • Easy To Setup
                                            • Lightweight

                                            Cons

                                              Best Uses

                                              • Artificial Lighting
                                              • Outside
                                              • Photography
                                              • Portraits
                                              • Strobe Lighting
                                              • Weddings

                                              Comments about Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter:

                                              Very useful on outside portraiture and any mobile shoot. Very durable (made of metal) and easy to use. Lighter weight then expected. Comes with brass metal inserts to screw on or could be easily removed and mounted on the stand directly. Great option.

                                              • Was this a gift?:
                                              • No

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                                              5.0

                                              Small, light and metal!

                                              By Whil

                                              from Honolulu, Hi

                                              About Me Photo Enthusiast

                                              Verified Buyer

                                              Pros

                                              • Compact
                                              • Consistent
                                              • Easy To Setup
                                              • Lightweight
                                              • Metal
                                              • Reliable

                                              Cons

                                                Best Uses

                                                • Artificial Lighting
                                                • Photography
                                                • Portraits
                                                • Strobe Lighting

                                                Comments about Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter:

                                                At first glance and after a few outings with two of these for our lighting setup I'd give them an A+. They are light weight and very compact. A few people have complained about having shorting issues because the top is all metal, however the bottom of the clip drops below the contacts on my Nikon SB-28, SB-800 and cannon 420 flashes. No problems what so ever. The construction seems solid with its all metal body and brass inserts.

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                                                • No

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                                                What's in the Box

                                                Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter
                                                • One Year Manufacturer's Warranty
                                                 
                                                 
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