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Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite)

  • Price: $27.89
  • B&H # MA026
  • Mfr# 026

Requires optional shoe for use of shoe-mount flash.

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The Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite) is a versatile aluminum bracket that will fit on almost any light stand. It includes two removable, reversible studs with 1/4"-20 threads, to adapt to light stands with top studs smaller than the standard 5/8".

Bracket tilts and swivels to make aiming the light or flash easy.
Has a locking umbrella socket that will accept umbrella shafts up to 3/8" diameter.

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite)
 
4.8

(based on 247 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (210)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (31)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (4)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (2)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (0)

98%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Durable (222)
  • Attach securely (201)
  • Long-lasting (142)
  • Good power output (68)
  • Good color value (29)

Cons

  • Heavy (4)

Best Uses

  • General purpose (168)
  • Indoors (117)
  • Outdoors (105)
  • Outdoor events / games (80)
  • Low light (57)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Semi-pro photographer (93), Photo enthusiast (74), Pro photographer (50), Casual photographer (9), Experienced (9)
    • Was this a gift?:
    • No (117)

Most Liked Positive Review

 

Great umbrella mount - Metal & Sturdy!

I would highly recommend this umbrella mount - spend the extra $10 or so and get yourself a professional metal umbrella mount. If you're putting an expensive hot-shoe flash on your stand, don't skimp!...Read complete review

I would highly recommend this umbrella mount - spend the extra $10 or so and get yourself a professional metal umbrella mount. If you're putting an expensive hot-shoe flash on your stand, don't skimp! It's metal and holds your umbrella positions very well. Just remember that you will need a cold shoe mount for this umbrella mount - check my recommended items below for my suggestions for a complete umbrella kit.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

 

Not the Best - Especially for Strobists

This is a solidly built umbrella adapter. A little heavier but much more solid, reliable and better designed than those cheap square plastic ones (Impact 3117, Photoflex AC-BSWCP, etc.).
Read complete review

This is a solidly built umbrella adapter. A little heavier but much more solid, reliable and better designed than those cheap square plastic ones (Impact 3117, Photoflex AC-BSWCP, etc.).

If you need an umbrella adapter with two female studs, such as for using with a studio light, than this, or the Photoflex AC-BALGS (which is less prone to slipping) are your best options. However, if you are going to mount a shoe mount flash (all you Strobists) on your adapter there is a potentially better (and cheaper) option available, the Photek SMA-1000.

While the center swivel on this adapter is more secure than the plastic umbrella adapters, one problem with this adapter is the center swivel hinges are flat metal and do not lock, which can be an issue if you have a heavy light or a big umbrella. The Photoflex doesn't lock either, but has a larger surface area to prevent slippage. The Photek has locking teeth which eliminates any chance of it slipping.

Another problem is that if you're going to mount a shoe mount flash you have to add a male stud plus a shoe mount (like the one that came with your flash, or the terrible ones like the Smith-Victor 701955 that come with the square umbrella adapters). This makes the whole unit more complicated than it needs to be and adds potential weak points by having to make sure the knob on the male spigot is tight, the shoe mount is securely fastened to the spigot, and the flash itself is securely attached to the shoe mount. The Photek eliminates two of those three weak points by having the shoe mount bolted directly on the adapter. It is much more secure, but if you have special requirements such as the ability to use your own custom shoe mount, or to reposition the show mount away from the umbrella than you'll have to stick with this adapter.

The Photek SMA-1000 (or very similar Calumet MF6929) is more compact, lighter (137g), just as solid, and has superior design such as locking teeth on the swivel. It also happens to be a lot cheaper, even if you already have a separate shoe mount to use with this adapter. Unless you need the shoe mount facing away from the umbrella I recommend it over this unit.

REVIEWS

Reviewed by 247 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-20

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5.0

You get what you pay for!

By Sports Mom

from Lohman, MO

About Me Semi-pro Photographer

Verified Buyer

Pros

  • Attach Securely
  • Durable
  • Long-Lasting

Cons

    Best Uses

    • General Use

    Comments about Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite):

    The weight alone tells you this is no ordinary adapter. It is nice and sturdy. I don't have to worry about putting my expensive speedlites on here. The pull out handle take a little getting used to. The reversible studs just add to the sturdiness.

    • Was this a gift?:
    • No

    Comment on this review

     
    5.0

    Great piece of equipment.

    By Rayphoto

    from Durango, CO

    About Me Photo Enthusiast

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Attach Securely
    • Durable
    • Powerful

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • General Use
      • Indoors
      • Outdoors

      Comments about Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite):

      This works exactly as advertised. Great for studio or location shoots.

      • Was this a gift?:
      • No

      Comment on this review

       
      5.0

      Extremely Useful tool

      By Tom

      from Bend, Oregon

      About Me Pro Photographer

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Durable
      • Powerful

      Cons

        Best Uses

          Comments about Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite):

          The best is all I can say.

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No

          Comment on this review

           
          5.0

          Rugged mounting gear.

          By Daniel

          from Austin,TX

          About Me Photo Enthusiast

          Verified Buyer

          Pros

          • Attach Securely
          • Durable
          • Good Color Value
          • Long-Lasting

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • General Use
            • Indoors
            • Night Time
            • Outdoors
            • Special Events

            Comments about Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite):

            Great piece of hard ware. Built out of metal, not cheap plastic

            • Was this a gift?:
            • No

            Comment on this review

             
            5.0

            The nicest adapter I own

            By Margee

            from Frederick, MD

            About Me Semi-pro Photographer

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Attach Securely
            • Durable
            • Powerful

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • General Use
              • Indoors
              • Outdoors
              • Special Events

              Comments about Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite):

              This adapter hits just the right balance between reasonably light weight and sturdy support. The lever used to adjust the tilt is not too stiff to move easily but it holds position well when used with my large speed light and modest sized octobox.

              Comment on this review

               
              5.0

              Excellent Product

              By Sting

              from Atlanta, GA

              About Me Photo Enthusiast

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Attach Securely
              • Durable

              Cons

                Best Uses

                  Comments about Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite):

                  This product was recommended to me by a professional photographer with many years of experience working with studio lighting. The build quality like anything else I have by Manfrotto is excellent and the bracket is extremely sturdy and yet versatile. Overall a good addition to any basic lighting rig.

                  • Was this a gift?:
                  • No

                  Comment on this review

                   
                  5.0

                  Excellent quality product.

                  By MarDen1959

                  from Richland, WA.

                  About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Attach Securely
                  • Durable
                  • Long-Lasting
                  • Well made

                  Cons

                    Best Uses

                    • General Use
                    • Indoors
                    • Low Light
                    • Night Time
                    • Outdoors
                    • Special Events

                    Comments about Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite):

                    What can I say? Manfrotto is as good as it gets!

                    • Was this a gift?:
                    • No

                    Comment on this review

                     
                    5.0

                    Good for umbrella and speedlight combo

                    By Romy Photography

                    from Cairns, QLD, AUS

                    About Me Pro Photographer

                    Verified Buyer

                    Pros

                    • Attach Securely
                    • Durable

                    Cons

                      Best Uses

                      • General Use
                      • Indoors
                      • Outdoors

                      Comments about Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite):

                      I use these for location shoots where i will use my speedlights with umbrellas.
                      They are very sturdy for this use and can handle being moved around while setup.

                      • Was this a gift?:
                      • No

                      Comment on this review

                       
                      5.0

                      Great Product

                      By Mountainwoman

                      from Rifle CO

                      About Me Pro Photographer

                      Verified Buyer

                      Pros

                      • Attach Securely
                      • Durable
                      • Long-Lasting

                      Cons

                        Best Uses

                        • General Use
                        • Indoors
                        • Outdoors

                        Comments about Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite):

                        This is a sturdy adaptor that lets you swivel your light and umbrella to whatever angle you need.

                        • Was this a gift?:
                        • No

                        Comment on this review

                         
                        5.0

                        Works great

                        By WSBates

                        from Springville, AL

                        About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                        Verified Buyer

                        Pros

                        • Attach Securely
                        • Durable

                        Cons

                        • None so far

                        Best Uses

                        • General Use
                        • Indoors
                        • Low Light
                        • Outdoors

                        Comments about Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite):

                        This worked flawlessly for me. Well built and easy to use.

                        Comment on this review

                        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                         
                        4.0

                        Certainly heavy enough for my needs

                        By steve

                        from rochester, ny

                        About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                        Verified Buyer

                        Pros

                        • Attach Securely
                        • Durable
                        • Long-Lasting

                        Cons

                          Best Uses

                          • Indoors
                          • Low Light
                          • Night Time
                          • Special Events

                          Comments about Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite):

                          The quality is great, but I was concerned about the clumsy long tightening handle until I discovered that it's spring loaded. Just pull it straight out and reposition it if it's bumping against the speedlight or other. Clearly a tested and proven design. The two brass fittings are bound to get lost. Too bad they can't be connected somehow to the side of the unit in some kind of snap-in device.

                          • Was this a gift?:
                          • No

                          Comment on this review

                           
                          5.0

                          Good product

                          By T.O.

                          from Maryland

                          About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                          Verified Buyer

                          Pros

                          • Attach Securely
                          • Durable

                          Cons

                            Best Uses

                              Comments about Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite):

                              As always, good metal construction from Manfrotto.
                              I screwed a Manfrotto 175 spring clamp into the stud in the end. Between the swivel and the set screw for the stud, I can now twist this around to about any angle. Great combo for holding 24x36 foam board backdrop.

                              • Was this a gift?:
                              • No

                              Comment on this review

                               
                              4.0

                              Looked good

                              By vichitra

                              from Redmond, wa

                              About Me Photo Enthusiast

                              Verified Buyer

                              Pros

                                Cons

                                  Best Uses

                                    Comments about Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite):

                                    This was my first adapter so, i can't comapre it with others. Till now used once and i didn't had any issues setting it up. Looked heavy.

                                    • Was this a gift?:
                                    • No

                                    Comment on this review

                                     
                                    5.0

                                    Worth every penny

                                    By Rick

                                    from Elk Grove, CA

                                    About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                                    Verified Buyer

                                    Pros

                                    • Attach Securely
                                    • Durable
                                    • Good Color Value
                                    • Long-Lasting
                                    • Powerful

                                    Cons

                                      Best Uses

                                      • General Use
                                      • Indoors
                                      • Low Light
                                      • Night Time
                                      • Outdoors
                                      • Special Events

                                      Comments about Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite):

                                      This swivel are well built and you get what you paid for. They are perfect for what I do. I mount speedlights with pocket wizards flex and the umbrella angle is just the way it should be...pointing towards the center.

                                      • Was this a gift?:
                                      • No

                                      Comment on this review

                                       
                                      5.0

                                      good

                                      By Cossack13

                                      from Ust'-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan

                                      About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                                      Verified Reviewer

                                      Pros

                                      • Durable
                                      • Easy to Use
                                      • Long-Lasting

                                      Cons

                                        Best Uses

                                        • Indoors
                                        • Outdoors

                                        Comments about Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite):

                                        Good tool! Strong and easy to use.

                                        • Was this a gift?:
                                        • No

                                        Comment on this review

                                         
                                        5.0

                                        Rock Solid, Sturdy Construction

                                        By Marty

                                        from Chatham, NJ

                                        About Me Photo Enthusiast

                                        Verified Buyer

                                        Pros

                                        • Attach Securely
                                        • Durable
                                        • Long-Lasting

                                        Cons

                                          Best Uses

                                          • General Use
                                          • Studio lighting

                                          Comments about Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite):

                                          I use this Adapter on my C-Stand to secure a Nikon SB-900 and a large umbrella. The knobs are large and easily accessible allowing my to really tighten things down, especially important when positioning my setup close to above the model. Have not experienced and unwanted movement of my setup ever.

                                          • Was this a gift?:
                                          • No

                                          Comment on this review

                                           
                                          5.0

                                          Simply fantastic

                                          By Nick

                                          from Australia

                                          About Me Casual Photographer

                                          Verified Buyer

                                          Pros

                                          • Attach Securely
                                          • Durable
                                          • Long-Lasting
                                          • Powerful

                                          Cons

                                            Best Uses

                                            • General Use

                                            Comments about Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite):

                                            Quite simply, it does the job.

                                            Locks in tightly, it's easy to adjust, solid construction and it comes with reversible studs.

                                            • Was this a gift?:
                                            • No

                                            Comment on this review

                                             
                                            5.0

                                            Another great product from Manfrotto

                                            By Matt

                                            from Manchester, CT

                                            About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                                            Verified Buyer

                                            Pros

                                            • Attach Securely
                                            • Customizable
                                            • Durable

                                            Cons

                                              Best Uses

                                              • General Use
                                              • On Location
                                              • Outdoors
                                              • Studio lighting

                                              Comments about Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite):

                                              Moving around from location to location, customizable equipment is key to lugging the least equipment. The Lite-Tites are PERFECT.

                                              It is the perfect solution for shooting with off-cam speedlights when you want to use an umbrella or softbox on an umbrella shaft. Screw the reversible connector into the stand for a speedlight, drop the connector into the socket, tighten up, push the shaft through, tighten, and shoot! It's really that easy.
                                              Or remove the connectors and use it with a lightstand and lights with stud connectors.

                                              As with all Manfrotto products, it has solid construction, very sturdy, and easily adjustable. The tightening knobs keep everything firmly in place--no lights creeping up or down from loose grips.

                                              The only flaw is that the tightening screw for the screw connectors don't go through the hole in the stud. The screw connector is too large, so it doesn't fit far down enough for the hole to line up with the screw. The screw does very well holding it tight in place, though.

                                              • Was this a gift?:
                                              • No

                                              Comment on this review

                                               
                                              5.0

                                              Solid, versatile

                                              By Jay

                                              from GTA, Canada

                                              About Me Photo Enthusiast

                                              Verified Reviewer

                                              Pros

                                              • Solid
                                              • Versatile

                                              Cons

                                                Best Uses

                                                  Comments about Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite):

                                                  Glad I went with the Manfrotto. Have a small exposure to equipment in general, but have found Manfrotto to be a very solid brand.

                                                  Using with the Basic 6' Manfrotto lighting stand and hotshoe adapter.

                                                  • Was this a gift?:
                                                  • No

                                                  Comment on this review

                                                   
                                                  5.0

                                                  solidly built

                                                  By Craig A.

                                                  from Fort Wayne, IN

                                                  About Me Photo Enthusiast

                                                  Verified Buyer

                                                  Pros

                                                  • Attach Securely
                                                  • Durable
                                                  • Long-Lasting

                                                  Cons

                                                    Best Uses

                                                    • General Use

                                                    Comments about Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite):

                                                    Used with a Manfrotto stand (1051BAC) and Speedlite 550EX for umbrella shots. Solidly built, inludes necessary adapters. Packaging makes you wonder if you got a knock off because it seems so cheap. Nevertheless, the actual product is great, instructions would be useful (especially for the upper spigot). The upper spigot has a hole drilled through it and it looks like the part you tighten should go through it, but it doesn't, shouldn't and isn't important. The drilled hole is only there to allow you to stick a screwdriver (etc) in and tighten it more onto your (whatever you're putting on top of the swivel adapter).

                                                    • Was this a gift?:
                                                    • No

                                                    Comment on this review

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                                                    • Price: $7.50
                                                     

                                                    What's in the Box

                                                    Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-Tite)
                                                    • Reversible Male Stud (1/4"-20 & 3/8" screw thread)
                                                    • Reversible Female Stud (1/4"-20 & 3/8" female thread)
                                                    • 1-Year Warranty
                                                     
                                                     
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