Strobe positioning and arm tightening

So im trying to adjust my strobes at home to see where they will work best, but im having troubles keeping them in one place. I have two Sea and Sea YS-250's atached to Ultra Light arms with two 8 inch segments on each arm. The problem is the stroebs are so heavy that when i pick up the camera the strobes just fall out of position. I knwo they will be lighter inthe water so this wont be a problem, but im wondering if im just not tightening them enough. I dont want to force it much more then i am but im not sure how much tightening they can handle. Andone else have a similar set up with some adivce for me?

Also second question. Anyone have any ideas on the best way to rig up the sync cord so its not in the way? Mahalo!

Dan

Dan

the best way to experiment on land is with the camera laying down on a table top. Move the arms around .. test fire at the white ceiling (with appropriate exposure).

If you have a surface near the ceiling say 4-5 ft .. the image will show how much of the area is being lit by the strobes.

As for lifting the rig ... the ULCS system is not designed to be weight bearing on land, and sure you can CRANK it down so tight it may stay, but I doubt you are doing the ULCS ball joints any good.

Other place to experiment is underwater .. aiming at a plain surface like the bottom.

But I would mention this .. with 2x 8 inch arms .. having the strobes full extended out and up (so to the side but above the housing) and pointing dead forwards (not into the center) is a great place to start ! You will find small adjustments from there will help make or break your photos !

(of course this advice is all for wide angle, you will want the strobes in much closer for macro)

So im trying to adjust my strobes at home to see where they will work best, but im having troubles keeping them in one place. I have two Sea and Sea YS-250's atached to Ultra Light arms with two 8 inch segments on each arm. The problem is the stroebs are so heavy that when i pick up the camera the strobes just fall out of position. I knwo they will be lighter inthe water so this wont be a problem, but im wondering if im just not tightening them enough. I dont want to force it much more then i am but im not sure how much tightening they can handle. Andone else have a similar set up with some adivce for me?

Also second question. Anyone have any ideas on the best way to rig up the sync cord so its not in the way? Mahalo!

Dan

I use a velcro tie wrap to hold the cord but you can just wrap it around the arms.

You are right to not want to crank down on the knuckles. They are designed to support the strobes in water. Try putting the camera setup on the forward edge of a table. The strobes can either rest on the table or propped up on whatever you want to put under them. Use the forward edge (camera and strobes barely hanging over the edge with the rest of the table behind) so that the strobe isn't blocked on the bottom by the table. Then set up your test subjects in front of it. This way you never have to lift the camera, which can get heavy on land, and concentrate on playing with and making subtle changes of the settings on your gear. (EXACT same shot with a different setting) I like this method because I can even simulate night shots as long as there is space behind the subject.

Andy

Thanks for the tips. I also just found out there is a pool at this friends place I am staying at for now, I think I will try that out too. Mahalo!

Dan