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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Vagabond Mini Clamps
Mark Sutton, Photographer
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Herndon | VA | USA | Posted: 8:07 AM on 06.01.11 |
| ->> Before I purchased the Vagabond Mini's a few weeks ago, I did some research on this site and a few others and I ran across one post on a thread with a picture of a clamp that was far better than the clamp that comes with the unit. I spent all night looking for the thread and couldn't find it. If you are using the Mini's, can you please post how you are clamping these puppies down? Thanks in advance!!! |
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Kevin Krows, Photographer
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Forsyth | IL | USA | Posted: 11:12 AM on 06.01.11 |
->> Mark:
Here's a link to Rob Galbraith's site
http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-11314-11226-11357
I sent him some information on my setup but he uses just the nano clamp and stud. I use a micro ball head on my Mini's simply because it allows you more flexiblity when mounting plus you don't need to shim the stud with washers.
Hope that helps. |
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Randy Sartin, Photographer, Assistant
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Knoxville | TN | USA | Posted: 6:17 PM on 06.01.11 |
->> I just use a superclamp, but I'm liking Kevin's idea. Also wind up just using the strap to hang it on the light stand a lot.
Another quick tip (if you haven't already) is to get a few short 6' computer cords, less stuff to get in the way versus the long cords (like what ship with the AB's). |
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Clint Austin, Photographer
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Duluth | MN | USA | Posted: 7:32 PM on 06.01.11 |
->> You can purchase three-foot-long cords from Paul Buff. That is what I did when I purchased my units, and they work great.
Clint |
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Mark Sutton, Photographer
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Herndon | VA | USA | Posted: 7:45 PM on 06.01.11 |
| ->> Thanks Kevin. This is the link. Bout to order right now. I didn't realize they sold shorter cords on the site. Have to get some of those too. |
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Rodrigo Pena, Photographer
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Beaumont | CA | USA | Posted: 2:40 AM on 06.02.11 |
| ->> Mark, I use the clamps that came with the mini, knowing that they won't hold the weight. My cords are long enough for me to fasten the mini battery to the base of light stand. There are supporting cross bars on the bottom of my light stand that attach from the legs to the center pole. I rest the battery's weight on those cross bars and secure the battery to one of the legs of the light stand using the clamp. The battery kind of serves as a sand bag too. I have had no troubles so far. |
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Kevin Krows, Photographer
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Forsyth | IL | USA | Posted: 4:11 AM on 06.02.11 |
| ->> I have the short 3' cords that work well with my gym lighting setup. I don't use them on light stands however. If you use 13' light stands like I do, 3' will limit your ability to raise / lower your light without having to move your battery. It's good to own both and use what works best for you however. The cords arn't that expensive. |
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Mark Sutton, Photographer
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Herndon | VA | USA | Posted: 10:02 AM on 06.05.11 |
->> I went over to ACE Photo's here in Northern Virginia and looked at the nano clamp and it seemed too small as well and would break if I had to constantly move my gear on shoots. I have 4 super clamps, so I went back home and tried that. I like it and it adds more weight to the stand. Well not that much weight, but every little bit counts when you are using a softbox outside. Mini, sandbag and clamp are a great combo. Thanks everyone for your help...
http://www.sportsshooter.com/suttonm/vagabound_clamp/index.html |
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Kevin Krows, Photographer
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Forsyth | IL | USA | Posted: 6:50 PM on 06.05.11 |
->> Mark:
Are you sure you were looking at the Nano Clamp? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/572347-REG/Manfrotto_386B_386B_Nano_C...
Product Highlights
-"Mini-Me" of the Super Clamp
- With 1/4"-20 & 3/8" Sockets
- Clamping Range 0.5-1.4" (13-35mm)
- Supports 8.8 pounds
I'm scratching my head to figure out how I could break one of these? I have a bag full of these Nano's and have used them to mount everything from monolights to speedlights. They are very well made.
I use super clamps with my sports lighting setup only because I need a grip range larger than the Nano. |
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Mark Sutton, Photographer
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Herndon | VA | USA | Posted: 7:46 PM on 06.05.11 |
| ->> Kevin, I think it was the part number they showed me. I shouldn't have used the comment "it would break". A better word was it didn't seem sturdy enough to hold the Vagabound. I have a bunch of super clamps, so I tried them instead. I may go over to ACE tomorrow and buy one just to test it. Thanks all the same though. Really appreciate the help.. |
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Marvin Gentry, Photographer
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Birmingham | AL | USA | Posted: 11:40 PM on 07.19.11 |
| ->> I just got my vagabond in last friday and I was using a super clamp to attach it to a light stand and the pack broke away from the super clamp. It was too late to call Paul C Buff , so I will call them in the AM. I looked over the plastic case and the area that was threaded it is VERY WEAK. I believe that they should attach some kind of alluminum plate to the back of the unit so that it will have more strength when carry it attached to a light stand. So everyone be careful using it and I will follow up with a post after they tell me what they will do for me. |
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Patrick Fallon, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Houston | Texas | USA | Posted: 2:24 AM on 07.20.11 |
| ->> Can you post some pictures of the spots in question Marvin? |
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Kevin Krows, Photographer
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Forsyth | IL | USA | Posted: 4:08 AM on 07.20.11 |
->> Marvin:
First,I'm sure if you call them and explain what happened that they'll take care of you and listen to your suggestion for improving their product.
Based on the current design and the location of the attachment point (upper corner)on the case, I'm not sure that carrying your light stand around with the battery attached is a good idea. It certainly is stong enough to hold 3.5 pounds when the stand is stationary but when you start carrying your light stand around you'll be adding increased stress to the attachment point. More so if the battery is hanging free with the base of the battery not being supported. The original design of the clip mount calls for the base to sit on one of the knobs of your light stand. See picture of battery attached to stand with light on the following page
http://www.paulcbuff.com/vm120.php
One of the reasons I use a small ball head on my mini clamps is to allow me to position the base of the battery back towards the stand so that it can sit on one of the legs or one of the knobs. When I use these to power my gym lighting setup, I always find some way to support the base and also string a safety cable through the shoulder stap slots.
I'm sure, at some point, we will see a version II of the Mini with some desgin changes. I'm sure the mount will be one of changes. |
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Marvin Gentry, Photographer
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Birmingham | AL | USA | Posted: 10:41 AM on 07.20.11 |
| ->> Vagabond replacent on the way and I made a suggestion so they could possibly remedy this problem. Thanks Paul c buff for great customer service. I will post photos later today |
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