Hi_Spade Photography wrote:
WOW!! Very nice Jay. Now I got to get me one, lol. Thanks for posting this .

That's what I'm here for

And get one, they're cheap!

-JAY- wrote:

That's what I'm here for

And get one, they're cheap!

Jay, Would you mind e-mailing me the link of the mounts and umbrella?

Hi_Spade Photography wrote:

Jay, Would you mind e-mailing me the link of the mounts and umbrella?

Sent.

Frozen Moments Photo wrote:
Wow, that does look sweet, and so do the resulting images.
Wasn't the links on page 1 or did I miss something?

Thanks, and yeah, there's a link to the item on Cowboy Studios page I think, but it's on Amazon too.

Frozen Moments Photo wrote:
Well, thanks for posting those. Since I now have several (5) speedlites  I was very interested in this thread.

Definitely adds some versatility.

T Urban Photography wrote:
Dang, that set up looks so sweet!  How do you keep it from blowing over though?  My 43" umbrella wants to go over in a very, very gentle breeze.  That baby looks like it would topple if a butterfly soars past it.

I put a big ass rock on the base of the stand and it stood up to breezes alright.

rickspix_uk wrote:
Great post as always Jay,  motivated me to order a large 60" Parabolic , ( think here in not so sunny england may be too windy for a larger version) Cant wait to try it out.

Thanks. I like the silver parabolics because of the increase in power output - it makes some of my underpowered lights good enough.

RKD Photographic wrote:
Excellent post - it's not that often I see someone finding a solution and then actually bothering with posting the results for all to see...
Good write-up...

Great images too BTW...

Thanks. I have been using and testing every bit of budget gear I can get my hands on for a couple years now for the sole purpose of sharing - there are so many people who come to this forum (and others) who legitimately want to learn and get started, but have a small budget, and get laughed at when asking what's the best DSLR for about $100 - and get the recommendation of a Hello Kitty P&S.

I bought a Canon XTi w/ 18-55 today for $100, and it's a GREAT learning tool (I used one for my first 2 years, look at me now) and will be featuring it, along with this bracket, on my blog.

Budget tools are still just that... tools.

-JAY- wrote:
FINALLY FOUND A GENERIC!!! (I'm the OP - different account)

http://www.cowboystudio.com/product_p/mountq.htm




I'm going to repurpose an old umbrella bracket to get rid of the ball-head (which I expect to be terrible) - But for $21 (eBay) my Frankensteining is taking a step up!

SHOOTME wrote:
I've been wanting a quad flash bracket myself for a while, I already have a few of those cheap tri brackets although the Cowboy studio quad bracket looks flimsy to me, looks like it might snap any time. Any thoughts?

more heavy duty than I thought it would be. The ballhead might get weaker with time, but for now, it's quite firm, and had no problem with 4 flashes, and an 86" umbrella sticking out 2 feet to the side weighing it down.

Jakov Markovic wrote:
When you add up the cost off all those flashes, you could've just bought one good studio flash and be done with it.

Please direct me to a 4lb studio light capable of f/10 through a modifier at ten feet, with a power source for $265.

Jakov Markovic wrote:
Visico VC-600 or newer models for example.

i'm seeing the Visico VC-600 listed at $499 without a battery, so $750?

And when you don't need that much power, is the VC-600 also four lights?

-JAY- wrote:
i'm seeing the Visico VC-600 listed at $499 without a battery, so $750?

And when you don't need that much power, is the VC-600 also four lights?

HOW CAN IT BE THAT MUCH??? I paid 950 for bag, a couple of modifiers, two VC-600 and lightstands? There's gotta be something wrong with import prices for this brand for where you live?

No, it is not 4 lights, it is one predictable studio light with a modeling lamp that does it's job damn well.

To each their own, I myself am planing on getting some portable flashes, just to use them as accent lights, but using 4 of them as a main light, when there is just one light that can replace all that is just plain silly.

P.S. I am not trying to argue that anyone should go either-or, and the choices people make have to fit within budget, it is just that if having one strong light is THAT important, you might as well get it.

Jakov Markovic wrote:

HOWCAN IT BE THAT MUCH??? I paid 950 for bag, a couple of modifiers, two VC-600 and lightstands? There's gotta be something wrong with import prices for this brand for where you live?

No, it is not 4 lights, it is one predictable studio light with a modeling lamp that does it's job damn well.

To each their own, I myself am planing on getting some portable flashes, just to use them as accent lights, but using 4 of them as a main light, when there is just one light that can replace all that is just plain silly.

Its not silly after an hour long hike in 120 degree heat. 4 speedlites that can do everything I need is better for me than 4 speedlites for when I need 4 lights, then carrying another 10 pounds for a big monolight just so I don't look silly.

Jakov Markovic wrote:
P.S. I am not trying to argue that anyone should go either-or, and the choices people make have to fit within budget, it is just that if having one strong light is THAT important, you might as well get it.

I've got four WL X3200, which are more powerful than I typically need... but why carry all that weight when I can do everything I need with a kit that takes up only 1/4 of my backpack?

Options are never a bad thing.

Jakov Markovic wrote:
Maybe I'm just shooting differently, but I'll definitely look into this.

It works for some people, not so well for others, but for me it's been awesome for location shoots. Especially since i can turn them down and have instant recycle while keeping a good power level.

-JAY- wrote:

I've got four WL X3200, which are more powerful than I typically need... but why carry all that weight when I can do everything I need with a kit that takes up only 1/4 of my backpack?

Options are never a bad thing.

Another advantage I am seeing here is some built-in redundancy.

If you were a mile away from your vehicle with a studio strobe and the head failed, the shoot may be over.

Same scenario with this 4-flash bracket; one fails, 3 are still available. The shoot continues.

Randall D wrote:

Another advantage I am seeing here is some built-in redundancy.

If you were a mile away from your vehicle with a studio strobe and the head failed, the shoot may be over.

Same scenario with this 4-flash bracket; one fails, 3 are still available. The shoot continues.

And seeing as I usually pack 8 speedlites in my backpack, my redundancy has redundancy

-JAY- wrote:

Please direct me to a 4lb studio light capable of f/10 through a modifier at ten feet, with a power source for $265.

That you can put out in water like I do and not have to worry about a bath

Guss W wrote:
I've ordered the CowboyStudio bracket. 
Is it possible to connect all 4 flashes to the same radio trigger through Y-connectors, or am I risking some horrible interaction?

I wouldn't see why it would cause a problem. Is optical an option? since they're so close thee's little to no chance of a misfire  - just put the trigger on one.

Guss W wrote:
I've ordered the CowboyStudio bracket. 
Is it possible to connect all 4 flashes to the same radio trigger through Y-connectors, or am I risking some horrible interaction?

I fire four SB-26s off a single PW Plus II.  One Y-connector with 2 more Y-connectors inserted = 4 cords.

My other foursquare has 2 SB-800s and 2 SB-900s all fired off a second PW Plus II.