DIY Photography

Your one stop shop for everything photo-video

  • News
  • Inspiration
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • DIY
  • Gear
Search

Submit A Story

Use A 3D Printed Strobe Mount To Get Your Strobe 89% on Axis

Dec 31, 2015 by Udi Tirosh 10 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

on-axis-mount-02

A few days ago we shared a cool way to mount a strobe to a tree using a 3D printed “dog bone” and a strap. It used a cool housing for the strobe that placed the strobe 100% on axis which was very cool. We actually got some mails about that flash mount from the video so we asked Chris Cameron for the brand.

Chris told us that it was not a bought mount, but that he printed it himself  and he agreed to share the (redesigned and improvbed) file with DIYP readers. YAY!!!

on-axis-mount-08

So first, why getting on-axis light is good? In 2009 we shared another type of on-axis flash mount where we explained why on-axis is better (and shot some samples):

The swivel (or umbrella holder) is designed in a way that the umbrella does not go exactly 90 degrees into the shaft. It is tilted upwards a bit – this is done since the flash mounted on the swivel is not 100% aligned with the center of the umbrella. If the insert was angled at 90 degrees, light from the flash would hit only the top of part of the umbrella, creating uneven light.

So the umbrella is tilted upwards a bit. However, the swivel is one and mounting options are many – you can use big or small umbrellas, place the umbrella in different positions within the shaft or shoot through only half open umbrella. Since the shaft if fixed, sometimes you’ll end up with the light going only to the top or bottom half of the umbrella – this is why you’d like to place the flash as close to the umbrella axis as possible.

And this is ever worse with umbrella softbox type modifiers.

on-axis-mount-03

That mount was good, but this new mount from Chris is even better, and way easier to build. It can also be used horizontally or vertically which gives you more control over how the light spreads. All you need is a file from Chris (it’s free, thanks Chris!), a 3D printer and a few bolts. (Or if you have no printer access / no DIY skills / no bolts, you can hit Chris’s store and buy a ready made mount).

on-axis-mount-07

Construction is easy: Once the sleeve part is printed shove glue two 1/4″ nuts into the recesses in the bottom and side of the part to finish it. It’s kind of a a snug fit, so don’t be afraid to use a pair of pliers.

on-axis-mount-06 on-axis-mount-05

Oh, one (small) caveat – this head is designed for SB900 and SB910 Nikon strobes (and will probably fit other monsters as well), but it is not universal. The good news is that the concept is easily modified + you have the source files to tinker with.

[Friction fit head mount for Nikon SB900 and SB910 Speedlights | Chris Cameron]

P.S. you can also buy a readymade unit on Chris’s store.

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Related posts:

Build a 3D Printed, Ultralight, 3-axis Modular Time-Lapse Motion Control System This open-source DIY 6-axis motion control rig is almost entirely 3D printed The SteadyCross is a 3D printed 3-axis magnetic camera gimbal with no electric motors How to make a simple 3D-printed grid snoot for your strobe

Filed Under: DIY Tagged With: diy light modifier, flash mount, on axis, swivel, umbrella

Udi Tirosh: from diyphotography.net

About Udi Tirosh

Udi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.

« Go On A Photography Vacation This Year!
How to make a $2 DIY Ring Light with an iPad box »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup
DIYPhotography

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Recent Posts

  • Here’s a bullet time video booth you can build yourself
  • Ricoh has discontinued the HD PENTAX-DA 21mm F3.2AL Limited silver lens
  • This “stellar flower” unravels the twilight’s evolution in 360 degrees
  • Strobes vs Continuous LEDs – Which is right for you?
  • Wave goodbye to Apple’s My Photo Stream next month

Udi Tirosh: from diyphotography.netUdi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.

Alex Baker: from diyphotography.netAlex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

David Williams: from diyphotography.netDave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred: from diyphotography.netJohn Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic: from diyphotography.netDunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Copyright © DIYPhotography 2006 - 2023 | About | Contact | Advertise | Write for DIYP | Full Disclosure | Privacy Policy