Hama Universal Flash Adapter
Amongst these little gizmos, this is one of the more complicated of the lot. This device is actually two separate systems; upon its side are two "PC female" sockets, and upon the top is a "hot" shoe.
The very bottom of the device has a "hot" button, which is used to trigger anything attached to the bottom PC female socket when the entire device is inserted into a camera's hot shoe and that camera is fired. Whatever cord you would use to trigger a flash from the bottom PC female socket would need a "PC male" connection on one end, and whatever connection interfaces with your flash upon the other.
The top of this device also has a PC female socket, but that socket is not activated merely by placing the entire device into a camera's hot shoe and firing the camera. Instead, the top PC female socket fires the hot shoe which is on top of the unit. With cameras that have both a PC female connection and a hot shoe, this device allows you to simultaneously trigger two flashes---all by reliable cords!
To simultaneously trigger two flashes with one camera, simply connect a flash to the top of this device and attach a "PC male to PC male" cord between the top PC female socket upon this device and the camera's PC female socket to make the flash upon the top of this device fire (a small PC male to PC male cord is included). For your second flash to fire, first attach this device to the camera's hot shoe, then use a PC cord to attach the bottom PC female socket of this device and your flash. A straight or folding flash bracket such as the two listed here makes for a sensible accessory in this regard.
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 38 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
87%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Reliable (26)
- Lightweight (24)
- Easy to use (20)
- Strong construction (11)
- Durable (7)
Cons
- Pricey / poor value (4)
- Unreliable (3)
Best Uses
- Travel (8)
- Lighting (6)
- Portraits (6)
- Studio (6)
- Everyday (5)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Semi-professional (8), Pro photographer (7), Enthusiast (5), Professional (5), Semi-pro photographer (5)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (13)
Most Liked Positive Review
High Quality Product
This Hama adaptor is a sweet little piece of gear. There are several common uses for it.
Firstly, if you have a PC-sync only strobe and you want to trigger ...Read complete review
This Hama adaptor is a sweet little piece of gear. There are several common uses for it.
Firstly, if you have a PC-sync only strobe and you want to trigger it from a camera without a PC-sync connector, you can connect a PC-sync cable (preferably one longer than the one that comes with the adaptor) to the bottom plug on the adaptor and the other end of the cable into the strobe.
Secondly, this can be used to add a PC-sync connector to hotshoe strobes or flashes that don't have a PC-sync port. Just slide your flash onto the top hotshoe connector, plug the PC-sync cable into the top PC-sync port, and connect the other end of the cable to your camera or other trigger device (PocketWizard, Cactus Trigger, etc). I use two Nikon SB-600's with these adaptors.
I now own two of these adaptors and they work flawlessly. They're quite flexible in their uses, and quite durable.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Unreliable, loose fit
Bought this based on the reviews & because I needed something to sync off camera flash that wasn't a pocket wizard ($$$) or a "poverty wizard" (tried it: unreliable e...Read complete review
Bought this based on the reviews & because I needed something to sync off camera flash that wasn't a pocket wizard ($$$) or a "poverty wizard" (tried it: unreliable except indoors & slow sync speed).
I bought this along with a PC cable. I really should have purchased two of each for trouble shooting but, this was actually supposed to be the main system & the Paramount PMHSFPC15S was supposed to be the backup.
It doesn't work. Is it the PC cable or is it the Hama? I can't tell... Oh wait, I can tell using the tiny PC sync cable that comes with the unit. The PC cable that comes with the Hama is a short two-inch cable just intended to connect the bottom half to the top half.
Oddly, the tip of the PC cable that comes with it is much longer than the other PC cables I have. So I test the Hama with the PC cable that comes with it (connecting it to the Wein Safe Sync I also have). Nothing. It must be the Hama - I've now tested it with two PC cables. So I try pushing the PC cable that come with the Hama & it starts triggering. I need to apply constant pressure to it to get it to work - sort of like a headphone jack that's gone bad.
Also, the PC female connector on the Hama seems smaller than it should be - the PC Male connectors don't have a very reliable/tight fit, just barely enough to prevent it from falling out.
I wanted to like this unit, but I'm going to return it and pick up a second Paramount PMHSFPC15S for my off camera flash sync needs.
Reviewed by 38 customers
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Pros
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Hama Universal Flash Adapter:
Great item, tottally worht the price.
Fix nice, and works as described.
Nothing to complain about it
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Hama Universal Flash Adapter:
The Trick: Fire my shoe mounted flashes off-camera with my Pocket Wizard Transmitter. Most older flashes have no PC terminal. Newer flashes have terminal but do not fire the flash from another device such as the Pocket Wizard.
Use the included PC Cord and a mini plug adapter (WIPCFMA), or a Pocket Wizard PC to Mini short cord (WICPCM1). Velcro the Pocket Wizard to your flash (RIVHL34B), and mount to a stand with a tilt bracket (IMBSM).
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Unreliable
- Weak Construction
Best Uses
Comments about Hama Universal Flash Adapter:
Bought this based on the reviews & because I needed something to sync off camera flash that wasn't a pocket wizard ($$$) or a "poverty wizard" (tried it: unreliable except indoors & slow sync speed).
I bought this along with a PC cable. I really should have purchased two of each for trouble shooting but, this was actually supposed to be the main system & the Paramount PMHSFPC15S was supposed to be the backup.
It doesn't work. Is it the PC cable or is it the Hama? I can't tell... Oh wait, I can tell using the tiny PC sync cable that comes with the unit. The PC cable that comes with the Hama is a short two-inch cable just intended to connect the bottom half to the top half.
Oddly, the tip of the PC cable that comes with it is much longer than the other PC cables I have. So I test the Hama with the PC cable that comes with it (connecting it to the Wein Safe Sync I also have). Nothing. It must be the Hama - I've now tested it with two PC cables. So I try pushing the PC cable that come with the Hama & it starts triggering. I need to apply constant pressure to it to get it to work - sort of like a headphone jack that's gone bad.
Also, the PC female connector on the Hama seems smaller than it should be - the PC Male connectors don't have a very reliable/tight fit, just barely enough to prevent it from falling out.
I wanted to like this unit, but I'm going to return it and pick up a second Paramount PMHSFPC15S for my off camera flash sync needs.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
Comments about Hama Universal Flash Adapter:
I bought this to be able to fire my Nikon sb-600 with a wireless trigger. This unit is pretty good for the price, and built better than some adapters that were twice the price from other retailers.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Hama Universal Flash Adapter:
I figure out how can i use it,
its strong and your flash wont go off
it is jus for flashes with syncport
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Hama Universal Flash Adapter:
It uses it to do PocketWizard Plus II and CANON EX430 in the synchronized. There is especially no problem though the setting is a little troublesome.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Hama Universal Flash Adapter:
I have been using these for about 2 months off and on and find them to be excellent overall. They are perfect to mount my Canon 580EX Flashes in manual mode for off camera flash radio triggering. Excellent PC to Socket connection nice and tight so the cable does not fall out. Low profile and of course a mounting thread underneath. Very solid units and worth the extra over some of the cheaper brands that break easily. I believe these are of German manufacture.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Plate can come loose
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Hama Universal Flash Adapter:
Doesn't feel cheap in your hand, and does what you want, without having to worry about it misfiring. The only gripe I have is the thin sheet metal plate can come loose, and you can lose it if you don't be careful.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
- none
Cons
- Does not work
- Unreliable
Best Uses
- Weddings if it worked
Comments about Hama Universal Flash Adapter:
The product does NOT work. I have purchased 4 of these units to date and none of them work at all. I have contacted the manufacturer in Germany in hopes to have them explain why they manufacture such garbage. The only directions for this unit are on one of the comment sections from someone who purchased the unit and nothing from the mfg. Anyway, if you care to waste your time exchanging this unit in hopes that you find one that works you'll be in my boat, otherwise I wish you luck in finding another option.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Unreliable
Best Uses
Comments about Hama Universal Flash Adapter:
Tried all sorts of adapters and this was my last hope. Does not work with older flashes like the Vivitar 283. Would not recommend to others.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Hama Universal Flash Adapter:
Used this item to adapt my Metz flash to a old Polaroid 110A converted camera. No other accessories were needed. works great
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Table top and portraits
Comments about Hama Universal Flash Adapter:
I'm an ameteur without the money for pocket wizards but multiple flashes. It is the old way but wires still get me the pictures. This flash adapter has worked perfectly and I have two because of its reliability
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Pack
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Hama Universal Flash Adapter:
It mounts on the hot-shoe and has TWO pc ports on the side so I suppose you could use TWO flashes. I haven't used mine more than a few times but it still works. Very handy.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Studio
Comments about Hama Universal Flash Adapter:
very solid construction...
good quality material...
holds perfectly your flash...
very secure...
i also bought an interfit adapter(interfit str115) ... and i´m so dissapointed about that one. very cheap, very bad quality...
this is 3 times the price of the interfit... but the interfit is a total waste of maney...
get this one... you will be very happy whit it...
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Studio
Comments about Hama Universal Flash Adapter:
I got this hot shoe adapter to use with my E-620 to fire my monolights in studio. While it took a little figuring out (there are two female receptors - the bottom controls whatever's plugged in; the top controls the hot shoe itself), it works like a charm now. My only complaint is that you have to screw it on pretty tight to the hot shoe to ensure connection, but that's a VERY minor inconvenience. Definitely worth getting if you need this type of adapter.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Trigger 2 flashes at once
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Traveling
Comments about Hama Universal Flash Adapter:
This is a simple item that does exactly what it is supposed to do. I have older flash units and a newer Nikon D40 digial SLR and I had a wedding to photograph after years of being out of the business. This unit was great and allowed me to set up a sunpak strobe and flash unit on my D40 with the ability to turn off one flash - either one - and not break down my two flash set up. I did have to modify my existing strobe sync cord in order to make this work because the cord that it comes with did not work for my purposes. Probably because my digital camera does not have a port for this cord - for any flash sync cord. I love having this unit as part of my resources for my current set up. When I tried to figure out how to make my D40 flash two units at once, I called around and noone could tell me how it could be done. I started to worry that this unit might not be as simple as it seemed, but it is. Love products that do what they claim.
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
- Expensive
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Strobist
- Studio
Comments about Hama Universal Flash Adapter:
This Hama adaptor is a sweet little piece of gear. There are several common uses for it.
Firstly, if you have a PC-sync only strobe and you want to trigger it from a camera without a PC-sync connector, you can connect a PC-sync cable (preferably one longer than the one that comes with the adaptor) to the bottom plug on the adaptor and the other end of the cable into the strobe.
Secondly, this can be used to add a PC-sync connector to hotshoe strobes or flashes that don't have a PC-sync port. Just slide your flash onto the top hotshoe connector, plug the PC-sync cable into the top PC-sync port, and connect the other end of the cable to your camera or other trigger device (PocketWizard, Cactus Trigger, etc). I use two Nikon SB-600's with these adaptors.
I now own two of these adaptors and they work flawlessly. They're quite flexible in their uses, and quite durable.
Pros
Cons
- Difficult To Use
Best Uses
Comments about Hama Universal Flash Adapter:
The foot of this adapter is very thick and it would not fit into the shoe on my camera.
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Home
- Portraits
- Studio
Comments about Hama Universal Flash Adapter:
It pop really good all kind of flash, i got 2X 430 EXII from canon and 2 nikon sb-600 and that will pop everytime, id never had a probleme from this item. awesome!
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Portraits
- Studio
- Traveling
Comments about Hama Universal Flash Adapter:
I have searched far and wide to find an adapter that wold remotely fire my SB-600 flash. This unit works every time and does what I need it to do.
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Shoe & Accessory Mounts
-
- Original: $17.99
- Save: $1.80
- Price: $16.19
Not compatible w/Nikon SB-900. As an alternative, please see BH # IMUB
Cable Management
- Price: $4.95
Extension Cables
-
- Original: $11.95
- Save: $1.19
- Price: $10.76
What's in the Box
- PC Male to PC Male Cord
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