Photek Shoe Mount Umbrella Adapter
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(based on 68 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
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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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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