Super Clamp Review: Adorama ($17) vs. Bogen-Manfrotto ($27)

I finally bought a "Super Clamp" for my photography gear bag since all of the reviews and strobist forums call this one of the "must have" pieces of gear. You use it to clamp onto a pipe or door 2.5" wide or less, and with the attached metal stud (with 1/4" threaded end) you can attach a speedlight flash or something else. The Bogen-Manfroto "Super Clamp" is the standard while there are many cheaper imitations around. I wanted to know what's the difference in $10 worth "functionally" for these types of clamps.

To sum it up, the Bogen-Manfroto just works better -- like it should. The stud is secured and doesn't fall out with just using the release pin, the triangular piece stays put for clamping on to flat surfaces, the threads turn smoothly, and finally it doesn't smell like paint.

PS- This video was shot with my iPhone 3GS and got inverted, hope you don't mind too much!
PSS- Video shows Adorama Pro Clamp with Reversible Mounting Stud. 1/4 x 20 and 3/8 Screw Threads (LTPC) and Manfrotto Super Clamp with Standard Stud (#2900), can get Bogen Super Clamp w/Reversible Short Stud (#2909) for +$2.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• super clamp
• photography
• manfrotto
• bogen
• adorama
• gear
• review

[nrdswg]

can you fit the manfrotto stud into the adorama clamp?

I have the adorama one and i want make it more sturdy, seems like the hexagonal shape will prevent rotation and hopefully stop wobbles.

[bthemedia]

@nrdswg I honestly don't recall, but I believe so. I returned the Adorama one.

[etsrlondon]

thanks. any tips on attaching a flashgun to the superclamp?

E

[bthemedia]

@etsrlondon You can mount an umbrella stand onto the brass bolt that will hold both a flash and umbrella.

I have a set of "PT-04" wireless flash triggers from ebay from a couple years ago and the receives have both a hotshoe mount and 1/4" screw hole so I just screw that onto the bolt. I just noticed on ebay now that they have "PT-04 NE" sets that include a umbrella mount and optical flash trigger built in as well!

[c2thew]

@bthemedia I just did an ebay search on the pt-04 ne's and found that they don't have built in optical flash triggers, only umbrella holders. where did you see the optical slave built in auction?

[bthemedia]

@c2thew Oh sorry, you're right, I must have been looking at something else? You can get the "optical hotshoe flash trigger" for $10 on ebay. You'd probably want it separate, since if you have the radio trigger - why not just use it?

[canderson]

very informative, thanks

[LauraA001]

My clamp from Adorama smells like mothballs - ick - totally reminds me of my great-grandmother.

[recycler60]

Thanks for the review....I'll be buying the manfrotto!