DIY Strobe Arms

[mddolson]

Not sure if this belongs here or in the DIY area.

I'm new to u/w digital photography.
I purchased an Ikelite housing this March 2005.
I have an Olympus C750 digital camera (4 mpixel).
This camera has a 10X opticle zoom lens, that is of no use underwater, but this is a general purpose camera for all occcations. It has an excellent macro focus for close-ups, and hot shoe for external stobe.
It became clear this summer, I need a stobe.
This I have sourced (a new Nikonos SB105) and the sync cable is on order from Ikelite.
Next I need a strobe arm.
I started looking for an arm to reach about two feet to reduce backscatter.
These little items are not a cheap date.(but then again what is in diving?)
An Ikelite set up is $235 US
An Aquatica equivalent is $ $240 and so is the ULCS.
Of course I am also watching eBay for used items.


I did a little looking on the web and found this source for ball and clamp mounts: http://www.rammount.com/

They produce GPS and Lauran/Laptop Stands for vehicles, boats etc.

3x Clamps $11.42 ea.(RAM-B-201U-A) are powder coated marine grade aluminum.
4x Balls $10.19 ea. (Ram-B-237U) 1" dia rubber (same coating) with 1/4-20 threaded aluminum stud

3 clamps + 4 balls add delrin or aluminum shafts just need adapters for ends.


This might be an economical approach to building ones own DIY strobe arm.
Anyone seen/heard of these?

Mike D

 

[bobf]

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=10720

 

[StevenB]

Hi Mike,
If you go with the premade ones, I prefer the UCS or Aquatica setup. The Ike clamps just don't hold well enough for me. Especially out of the water, the the strobes flop around too much. I have found the either of the USC or Aquatica clamps hold quite well and have substitued them on the Ike arms that I use sometimes.

If you have the time and patience to work out the Ram Arms, I would like to hear about your experience with it.

Steve B

 

[mddolson]

I've ordered:
3x Clamps $11.42 ea.(RAM-B-201U-A) are powder coated marine grade aluminum.
4x Balls $10.19 ea. (Ram-B-237U) 1" dia rubber (same coating) with 1/4-20 threaded aluminum stud
With shipping by express parcel post it's just under $100 (and that's CAN $ = about $0.85 US)
I also ordered the 1" Ikelite ball mount ($30) for my housing handle. and a 1" ULCS ball adapter (als0 $30) for my SB105 strobe.

I'll make the first set of arms 12" x 1/2 dia delrin to see if they're rigid enough.

Thanks for the link Bobf, clearly great minds think alike! LOL
StevenB , you're the 3rd to tell me the same concern with Ikelite arms.
There is definitely a trend developing.

Mike D

Mike D