Frio Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapter
The frio Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapter is one of those little things that can make a big difference in your (professional) life--a "universal" adapter for connecting anything with a hotshoe to anything with a 1/4"-20 tripod stud. It features dual lock security and has metal threads to ensure continued, long-term use. The frio is probably most likely to be used for attaching your hotshoe flash to a lightstand, but will work perfectly with anything sporting a male hotshoe connector--a microphone, LED light panel, monitor, etc. And it will attach to anything with a 1/4"-20 stud, including tripod, monopod, light stand, clamp, etc.
The frio is not currently compatible with Sony/Minolta flashes.
- Connects any hotshoe device to anything with a 1/4"-20 stud
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 52 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
90%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Lightweight (33)
- Easy to use (22)
- Packs small / compresses (16)
- Reliable (15)
- Strong construction (13)
Cons
- Poor quality (3)
- Unreliable (3)
Best Uses
- Weddings (10)
- Family photos (9)
- Landscape/scenery (9)
- Travel (9)
- Sports/action (8)
- Sizing:
Feels full size too small
Feels half size too small
Feels true to size
100%
(14 reviews)
Feels half size too big
Feels full size too big
- Width:
Feels too narrow
Feels true to width
100%
(13 reviews)
Feels too wide
- Was this a gift?:
- No (23)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Semi-pro photographer (11), Pro photographer (10), Photo enthusiast (4), Comfort driven (3)
Most Liked Positive Review
Improvement over normal coldshoes
An important note: The flash doesn't connect solidly with the tab-lock alone. The lock mechanism on the flash must be engaged as well. The Frio adapter does provide a solid mount and protects flashes...Read complete review
An important note: The flash doesn't connect solidly with the tab-lock alone. The lock mechanism on the flash must be engaged as well. The Frio adapter does provide a solid mount and protects flashes from falls while mounted in precarious positions or tilted on stands at sharp angles. The construction is plastic so there is no trouble with shorts as with metal cold shoes.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Does Not Work As Described
Unfortunately, the lights still slip off almost just as easily as with my Nikon cold shoe. It was a good idea in desperate need of version 2.0 with a bigger clip. The only thing...Read complete review
Unfortunately, the lights still slip off almost just as easily as with my Nikon cold shoe. It was a good idea in desperate need of version 2.0 with a bigger clip. The only thing I like it that they take up less room in my case otherwise, save your money until something comes along that really does the job..
Reviewed by 52 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Frio Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapter:
Solid costruction, secure mount for flash.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Frio Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapter:
Holds all my (different) speedlights securely. No more worries about lights coming loose and crashing to the ground. Lightweight, appears durable (ask me again in a few years). Good enough for McNally, good enough for me!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
- Strong Construction
Cons
- None that I can see
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Frio Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapter:
I never liked mounting my flashes (2XSB800 & Q-Flash Trio) on typical coldshoes. These Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapters screw down tightly and the flash locks in snugly and securely. Brilliant! Price is great too.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Frio Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapter:
Used The Frio adapter with my Sb-900, looks gr8 but more importantly works gr8! Very affordable as well!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Lightweight
- Reliable
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Difficult to Use
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Frio Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapter:
I often use my Canon 550EX flashes mounted on light stands via the 1/4-20 thread in the bottom of the flash shoe. Although I've never had a problem the shoe thread is plastic so I've been concerned about the robustness of this method. These Frios with their brass thread insets definitely resolve that concern. And they fit very securely to the light stand. If this is a common setup you could just leave them attached.
Attaching the flash to the Frio is more difficult than the OEM shoe. The tab on the rear of the Frio is fairly stiff requiring you to engage the flash in the slide part of the Frio & then push down & forward at the same time to get the flash to slide in properly. Once you tighten the flash locking collar the flash & Fria become one. The upside of the tab is the flash won't come out of the Frio if you forget to tighten the flash locking collar or you have another hot shoe device that does not have a locking mechanism.
Small part easy pack but easy to lose. I read another review indicating you can hang things on it. It does have a molded-in cavity that easily accommodated a couple key rings I tried.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Studio
Comments about Frio Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapter:
Well designed, excellent function, easy to use, light-weight. Perfection!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Frio Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapter:
I do alot of macro photography and place several backlight flashes around my subject. Connecting them "just takes a flash....." This thing is so simple I wish I had thought of it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Travel
Comments about Frio Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapter:
For a inexpensive, quick, go-to cold shoe this is a good piece. The lip adds to the sense of security. Locking in the 430exII is a bit tight - I feel like I have to force it a bit. With that in mind, I have no worries about it falling off. In a pinch this coldshoe is very handy.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Reasonable price
- Reliable
- Self locking
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Frio Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapter:
an excellent product after having my sb900 fall off a pole with an older flash adapter I bought 6 frioadapters, they are light sturdy easy to use and self licking A great value considering the price of a flash.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- Unreliable
Best Uses
Comments about Frio Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapter:
Unfortunately, the lights still slip off almost just as easily as with my Nikon cold shoe. It was a good idea in desperate need of version 2.0 with a bigger clip. The only thing I like it that they take up less room in my case otherwise, save your money until something comes along that really does the job..
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Frio Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapter:
I use this in conjunction with Lastolite EzyBox.
Lastolite's OEM cold shoe relies on the flash's locking mechanism to prevent it from slipping out. This little device offers a second line of safety so that your flash doesn't fall out accidentally. This is great especially when you move the light around a lot with the flash attached.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Weak Construction
Best Uses
Comments about Frio Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapter:
my assistant uses it on a mono, too easy to break, broke 3 units already.
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Frio Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapter:
The Frio coldshoe tripod adapter is a the fastest and best way to mount your portable Flash units to a light stand, tripod, monopod, or any device that has a 1/4″-20 tripod stud facility. I recommend it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
Cons
- Unreliable
- Weak Construction
Best Uses
Comments about Frio Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapter:
Great product, but one tip over and it breaks. Worse, it strips out the top (but still look ok), so it will hold the flash but then it falls out almost instantly next time you tip it. Broke my 580....
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Travel
Comments about Frio Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapter:
I use this to mount my flash to my Joby tripod, and it works great. It's much smaller then the flash base you get with the flash unit in the box; for off camera use. It's well built, weighs almost nothing, and easy to use.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Frio Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapter:
allows one more good option for positiioning my flash
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Frio Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapter:
this very simple product just simply works like a charm. no fuss, no frills about it, just screw it onto a light stand, and attach the speedlite onto the adapter.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
Cons
- Unreliable
- Weak Construction
Best Uses
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Frio Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapter:
Received mine at a tradeshow. During a slight wind my Frio snapped. Fortunately the strobe was protected in an umbrella. For now I'm sticking to the Nikon adapter 'til a better solution comes along.
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Frio Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapter:
I bought several of Frios on recommendation after being appalled by the quality of existing cold shoes, and I'm mightily impressed. There is a bit of wobble with most flashes, but I don't believe they would ever fall off. The Frio is the first shoe to properly hold all the different hot shoes I've thrown at it to.
I don't know how such a cane-us-on-expensive-components-for-a-century industry could take so long to conjur such a simple, functional part.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Video
Comments about Frio Universal Coldshoe Tripod Adapter:
It did the trick for me. I wanted to mount a cold shoe LCD panel on a tripod and this little converter allowed me to do so. Only thing is that it doesn't quite screw on completely tight but still tight enough to keep it steady as long as you don't move it. It's "plasticky" so I'm not quite sure how durable it'll be, but for [$] I can afford to buy another if this one ever breaks.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-20
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