Flash Brackets

Bracket For 200mm setup:

This image shows a Pentax Pz-1p and SMCA* lens, with flash bracket holding a Sunpack MZ440AF flash unit.  The flash bracket is mounted on the lens's tripod mount, which is reversed to put the mounting plate above the lens.  The lens is set to 1:1 magnification, and the fishing fly is positioned to be in focus.  To minimize stress on the flash extension cord mount, a nylon tie-down is used to reinforce the flash on the bracket.  This is the setup that was used for most of the images in this update.

Here's a photo of the bracket itself, not mounted on the camera.  Last summer, when I first started playing around with these brackets, I found that metal to metal connections would invariably loosen.  So now I put a nylon plumbing washer between all metal to metal connections.  The washer absorbs the heat related size changes, and the joints stay tight.  I also splurged and bought some bolts with nice plastic knobs attached to them.  They make attaching the bracket and flash much easier.  To assure a snug fit to the tripod mounting plate, I glued nylon washers to the bottom of the bracket.  They tighten down nicely, and do not slip.

Bracket For 105mm setup:

This image shows a Pentax PZ-1p, Kiron 105mm macro lens, and Pentax AF220T flash unit.  The lower portion of the bracket is an 8 inch corner brace, which is mounted on the tripod socket in the bottom of the camera body.  The side of the L bracket is padded with foam pipe insulation wrapped in duct tape, making and excellent grip.   The top portion of the bracket is a 4 inch corner brace.  Again, the lens is set to 1:1 magnification, and the fishing fly is positioned to be in focus.