I did a search and found that ULCS clamps AC-CSF (with 15° movement) may not hold as good as the old ones (AC-CS) did.
I just got 2x12" ULCS buoyancy arms and my ikes clamps do nothing on holding the 2 DS-125, so I figured that I must get the same manufacturer clamps, but apparently the new ones don’t have the same holding power.
So I need a bunch of people that already have this clamps (any of both models) to post how well they find it, and with which strobes and arms they use it.
Thanks.
I’ll hope this info to be useful for everybody.
apparently the new ones don’t have the same holding power.
Felix,
Not sure where you heard that. I just picked up a new ULCS arm and clamp setup at Underwater Photo Tech while I was in New Hamshire on business and I was waving them around in the shop with a big S&S 250 attached, I didn't even have to tighten down on the clamps that much. It felt rock solid to me. I haven't had them in the water yet. You got me curious so I just pulled them out and tested the movement. With just a slight pressure on the clamp the arm doesn't budge. If you crank on it I"ll bet you could drive nails with these things. I think you got some bad info.
Steve
Thanks Steve, but which model of clamps do you got and which arms?
Thanks Steve, but which model of clamps do you got and which arms?
Felix,
I am the proud new owner of six ULCS clamps AC-CSF, two 5" double ball strobe arms, two 8" double ball bouyancy segments, angled t-groove adapters for my Sea & Sea and the S&S strobe adapters. The setup allows me to get almost out to the end of the standard Y sync cords and still allows me to fold the strobes in close so the whole package will be stable on the camera deck/boat and not take up too much room. I bought the older smaller bouyancy tubes, mainly because they were on sale. (They don't give this stuff away!) We'll see how it works when I get the housing and get it in the water. I'm guessing I'll still have some adjusting to do. But again they are extremely stiff went tightened down and flexible went I want them to be. One small trick, depending on your housing the t-groove adapter that attaches to the housing handle comes with a set screw. I replaced them with a t-handle screw (UCLS part) so I won't need tools to setup/takedown.
Steve
The 250´s are heavy big strobes... I guess if the AC-CSF can hold it up, they are tight. I guessing one issue is how long your arms are, 2x12" segments are wide so holding the strobe requires more holding power...
Anyone else using this clamps or the AC-CS on ULCS arms?
I am using them, and they are so solid I can even use them as handle to my D70 rig out of the water. No doubt about them.
I was doing a deep water stop under a DSMB when I noticed a fellow diver with camera rig trying to deploy his 'safety sausage'. When he inflated(over) it, it took off for the surface. The connected cord became entangled around one of the strobe arms and the diver/photographer followed the circus upwards at a rapid rate of knots. The safety sausage went through the surface like a polaris missile and when the boat crew noticed the commotion on the surface dragged the hapless diver to the boat by the same cord that was wrapped around the strobe arm... yeah, I think that the ULCS clamps can hold a load!!
Bruce
Yeah, I've had no problems at all. I've used them with Nikonos SB-105 and Inons. Nice and solid.
We'll see how it works when I get the housing and get it in the water. I'm guessing I'll still have some adjusting to do. But again they are extremely stiff went tightened down and flexible went I want them to be. One small trick, depending on your housing the t-groove adapter that attaches to the housing handle comes with a set screw. I replaced them with a t-handle screw (UCLS part) so I won't need tools to setup/takedown.
