Alan, I've been using a camera bracket that came with a Manfrotto flex arm. You can see it here in more detail (with a ball head in this page):
http://www.manfrotto.com/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=191&itemid=92 Use the base the comes with the 550EX on the 1/4 screw to mount the flash. (I actually use a hotshoe to 1/4 adaptor that came with a small ball-head) Regarding the discussion, I couldn't disagree more with the statements about the the 550EX (or even less the 580EX) are not "good enough" for studio work. I do vote for the saying "the right tool for the right job", and if you want to build up a studio, I'd say go for the strobes. But if you have your 550EX already and want to do some studio work, it will more than sufice. I was recently asked by a model for a headshot for some contest and I transformed my garage in a makeshift studio in less than 1/2 hr. Used a white ('normal' i.e. rain-)umbrella with the 550EX on the flash bracket I mentioned, a ST-E2, and a big sheet of polystyrene to fill the shadows. The 550EX did a pretty good work and the model passed the preselection :-) In my opinion, where you can't beat the 550EX/580EX is in the portable department. You can get really good flash results on location by combining the 550EX with some light modifier to augment the apparent light size. An umbrella or a softbox will do. The lumiquest products are also very good, in particular the bigbounce, but the softness is limited by the size. Using E-TTL you're free to move around as the changes in the light-to-subject distance are automatically taken into the equation (no lightmeter to bounce around). I second what Malcom said: the ETTL results are quite reliable. Recently I acquired a a Lastolite Ezybox (60cm) and I'm very impressed with the results. It's the right match for the 550EX in terms of portability. I tested it last weekend during a family meeting and I could position it/ hold it with one hand while taking pics with the other. It was even easier with somebody helping. Now, try to hold a monoblock with a softbox in your hand and a camera on the other..... :-) I find that the umbrella spills a lot of light around and results are flat. The light of the softbox is soft but directional and gives a better 3-dimensional rendering of the subject. -regards, Gerard. * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
