Unsure of best arm length for strobe

[dlwalke]

OK, just got an Inon D-2000 system. Somewhere in the manual, it reccomends what looks like a fairly shortish arm for beginners, connecting the strobe to the camera. I was sold a 2 arm-segment system by the people from whom I bought my system and it extends maybe a little more than the distance from my elbow to just past my fingertips (I'm guessing, strobe is not with me right now). It seems kind of long. Anyhow, just wondering if that seems like overkill. I'd like a more compact setup (i.e., one arm segment) but not sure what I'd be sacrificing. How far away do you need to get to reduce backscatter? Under what circumstances would the extra arm segment be a benefit vs a hindrance.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[azcaddman]

you have a lot more flexability in getting the strobe where you want it for macro with 2 arm segments.. with 1, the strobe is always going to be the length of the arm away from the housing (attachment point anyway).. with 2, you can fold it back on itself, and the strobe can be very close to the camera (or far away for wide-angle)

 

[dlwalke]

OK, thanks. That makes alot of sense.