Mounting second strobe on RecSea/FIX housings

[ZackSS]

Hi everyone, I've recently gotten a RecSea S95 housing for my Canon S95 and have a question for those who have mounted dual strobes to a similar setup (any version of the S90/S95 FIX-like housings).

I'm looking to mount a pair of strobes to the RecSea housing and am confused as to how to interact with the camera's trigger lever after adding a base plate or other mounting for a right-side strobe. My concern is that I currently hold the camera with my hand running down the right side in order to rest my index finger on the trigger, but in this position my palm and wrist run right through where a base plate would extend.

I've tried some other positions on my hand that would not pass the plane at the bottom of the camera's right side, but none seem to allow for comfortable and precise activation of the trigger lever. I was hoping that someone out there who's already used a similar setup up might be able to enlighten me about how this is supposed to work.

If the answer is that it's just going to be a little awkward, is there a reason to avoid mounting both strobes on the left, or mounting one to the cold shoe slot, and simply using longer arms to extend a strobe to the right?

 

[Nemrod]

I am sorry I did not answer your PM.

The tray/handles I have are custom made by me. I made the tray more narrow than the standard UCLS tray so my hand would be properly positoned--however--I generally carry the rig with the left hand/handle, not both hands. The rh handle carries the strobe and gives me an alternate grip if my left hand needs to do something. I don't need boith hands to carry the tiny FIX90 even with dual strobes.

FIX90 on my old Oceanic Nikonos tray:

FIX90 on my custom tray:

N

 

[ZackSS]

I'm still a little confused. How do you position your hand when you take pictures?

By the way, thanks for all your posts and the website you've put up, they've really been a lot of help as I try to get a hang of upgrading my photography.

 

[Nemrod]

Zack, I either place my right hand on the right handle as the distance I set it when I built it is just right for my finger to reach over and push the trigger, however, I am just as likely to place my right hand between the right handle and the camera with my hand on the FIX90 grip and fire the trigger that way, often with my pinky under the tray. As I said, the left hand is doing the carrying, the right hand goes where it needs to. I set my controls, push buttons etc with my right hand, the left stays on the grip (normally).

To be clear, I do not necessarily use the rh grip for my hand to rest on or to carry the camera, it's primary purpose is to carry the strobe on my rig and to give me an alternate carry position for example a vertical shot etc. or to rest my left hand momentarily or to allow my left hand to manipulate other gear.

LOL, OK, in Cayman, my wife got tired and after fussing and then cursing me for the long swim, I held my FIX90 rh grip and my wife's tank valve in my left and towed her to shore as she fussed the whole way. The rh grip was very useful on that dive. .

As I said, I am sorry I don't get to PMs as fast as people think I should, I am on several forums and moderator on a couple (believe it or not) and I get a bunch of mail so forgive me and I actually have a real life too.

If you need a photo showing you let me know but it will not be until Friday I can take a shot for you.

Oh, another important thing, that website is not mine, I am a moderator there, the site belongs to Scott and is his great work, not mine. Thank him, he will appreciate it.

N

 

[ZackSS]

No photo necessary, I think I understand now, thanks for all your help!

 

[Nemrod]

I mentioned my pinky is often under the tray, that is because it gives a little support/leverage there (useful especially in a half press) and because my hand is wider than the FIX90 is tall, it is a little camera, lol.

N