1420 VAL Spigot HOW TO GUIDE
Gel Clip
Photo Accessories
INTRODUCTION The VAL Spigot is an accessory which is lightweight and compact so fits in your camera bag ready for action. Although primarily designed to make a handheld lighting boom from a painters extension pole, there are numerous other uses and applications for this simple accessory. Two versions of the VAL Spigot are currently available, one primarily for use with lights which use the industry standard 5/8” 16mm male spigot - the 34x2. For photographers who work with both industry standard 5/8” 16mm male spigot & 1/4” 20 turn UNC thread there is the 1420 VAL Spigot.
SPECIFICATION • • • • • •
Standard 16mm 5/8” Spigot Standard 1/4” 20 UNC thread (1420 only) Inline and transverse 3/4” holes for attaching to painters extension poles etc M6x20 (1420), M6x13 (34x2) thumb screw for secure fixing to extension pole etc Lightweight aluminium weighs less than 80g/3.5oz 80mm long x 30mm diameter approximately
This eBook shows you how to get the best from your VAL Spigots. Good luck and happy snapping.
Ian Pack Lighting Photographer Inventor of the VAL Spigots
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34x2 VAL Spigot
1420 VAL Spigot
STOCKISTS 34x2 VAL Spigot www.flashgels.co.uk & www.crookedimaging.co.uk 1420 VAL Spigot www.jackthehat.co.uk & www.gelclip.com
VAL Spigot HOW TO GUIDE
PAINTERS EXTENSION POLES There are any number of painters extension poles available in DIY and home improvement stores. I’ve researched these products and have a few suggestions and points to look for when buying. Points to Look For
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Most poles are supplied with a plastic taper over the tip. Unscrew this to see if the thread under is metal. If plastic don’t buy it as it won’t be up to the job of making a strong lighting boom. It’s what’s under the taper which is important. On the right a cheap and nasty plastic tip. Notice the thread is only held in place with metal punched into the plastic.
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Does the locking mechanism has a decent twist grip or even click button lock for the extensions? Painters extension poles which rely on twisting the inner pole to lock are generally inferior quality and at the lower end of the price range. Avoid as these!
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Some poles will have a fibre glass outer tube which is both lightweight and strong. Some will be coloured which aids visibility from a safety point of view.
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Are the extensions round or flat sided profile? Flat sided tend to be stronger with less flex and don’t twist. They also are a feature of the more expensive painters extension poles.
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L-R Twist grip on a round cross-section pole. Flat sided cross section with a push to lock mechanism prevents twisting. UK Buyers I use Screwfix mainly as there is one local and they can get stock next day if necessary. You can also order online to collect in store or for home delivery. B&Q, Wickes, Homebase all sell poles of varying quality. The models mentioned below I own and use. Harris 3 Section Extension Pole http://www.screwfix.com/p/harris-3-section-aluminium-extension-pole3m/10063# I’ve used one of these with the prototype Spigot for 3 years and it’s still going strong, for less than £12.00 it’s a bargain. The round profile isn’t an issue as the twist grips allow for secure tightening and ease of handling with gloved hands. Purdy Pro Pole http://www.screwfix.com/p/purdy-fibreglass-telescopic-professional-paintroller-extension-pole-4-8/20808# This is my most recent acquisition. A 2 section pole which extends from 4 8 feet. Sturdy and lightweight.
VAL Spigot HOW TO GUIDE
For some people a shorter boom may be desirable, especially where space is a consideration. No-Nonsense is not a brand I am familiar with but this pole is quality. 2 section, extends to 50” and a snip at £9.99. http://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-superlock-decorating-extensionpole-30-50/81178 The equivalent Purdy offering is £22.39 and I can see no difference in the build quality. http://www.screwfix.com/p/purdy-fibreglass-professional-paint-rollerextension-pole-2-4/73515 Until recently the Shur-Line range of painters extension poles were only available in the US, they are now available in the UK. I haven’t actually used one but if the likes of Joe McNally and David Hobby (ask Strobist) use them, they must be OK! http://www.decoratingdirect.co.uk/viewprod/s/SHUR-LINE_EASY_REACH_ SCREW-FIT_TELESCOPIC_EXTENSION_POLES/ US Buyers Living in England does limit my knowledge of the US market! I will recommend the Shur-Line Easy Reach Telescopic extension poles for the aforementioned reasons. Shur-Line http://www.shurline.com/products/frames-and-poles.aspx Home Depot http://www.homedepot.com/p/Shur-Line-Easy-Reach-60-in-AdjustableExtension-Pole-06570L/100534761 Australia Buyers Bunnings http://www.bunnings.com.au/shurline-easy-reach-extension-painters-pole_ p1560131 In conclusion, I use the Harris 3 section pole as it’s a reasonable price, extends longer than the Purdy, surprisingly it is also lighter. The 1420 VAL Spigot is available from selected retailers in the UK and direct from me for US or UK customers.
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If you’re serious about your photographic lighting then maybe The LIGHT Side Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/thelightsidegroup/ will interest you. It’s about all things to do with light and lighting. TLS is a closed group so someone will need to add you or you’ll need to send a request to be added. It’s a friendly group, with a degree of humour and some great photographers willing to share and contribute.
A good assistant or VAL - Voice Activated Light stand are worth their weight in gold. Which makes my buddy Ben an expensive comodity.
VAL Spigot HOW TO GUIDE
ALTERNATIVE USES It is possible to work with a VAL boom without an assistant. Here are a few ways which work for me.
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I know that many photographers use a rolling camera case to move their gear from place to place. By securing the extension pole through the top carry handle and to the back strut it’s possible to make a light stand without the need for additional gear.
VAL Spigot HOW TO GUIDE
It is also possible to attach the extension pole upright to a rolling camera case, but only if the boom is not over extended and top heavy as it will fall over. The set-up shown previously is much more stable.
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We use adjustable elastic bungee ties for many uses, including rigging the extension pole.
VAL Spigot HOW TO GUIDE
We even rigged an old golf cart to use as a mobile off-road light stand. The wheels are ideally suited to rough terraine; the holder for the club bag makes an ideal place for a lighting stand bag. This whole set-up is stabilised with a heavy sand bag or bags, depending on the wind conditions. With the aid of a Super or Convi Clamp and a sand bag or two, you have a brace for a large reflector panel or scrim frame.
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VAL Spigot HOW TO GUIDE
When working in the woods or forest it’s possible to use a walking pole or even to cut a sapling to use as a boom, simply by attaching the pole with the spigot to a tree with a length of paracord. The painters pole isn’t exactly compact, but it is lightweight and if you’re working with a VAL (Voice Activated Light Stand) or assistant, then frankly, it’s their problem to carry it around.
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This is a simple solution which will avoid VALs over exerting themselves, all you need are 3 x 3ft lengths of good quality paracord a camera bag or other suitable weight. Here I had the Quadra controller and battery adding some weight, but a log or rock would suffice.
Low quality iPhone snap, but you get the idea!
Take one loop of paracord, loop it around tree and insert painters pole as illustrated. Twist paracord using pole until very tight. Friction will prevent slipping as will the rough surface of the tree bark. This also works with street light columns etc when in a less wooded urban environment.
VAL Spigot HOW TO GUIDE
Take one length or paracord and secure to the other with a Prusik knot. This is a friction hitch used in many outdoor activities where when a load is applied locks tight. But when the load is released the knot moves smoothly. Attach the loop to which you’ve attached the Prusik knot to the handle end of your painters pole (black cord above). A slip loop is sufficient for this. The end of the Prusik knot cord (orange cord above) should be attached to the weight of your choice. Once this done attach your light to the 1420 VAL Spigot on the thread end of the painters pole. The height/angle/position of the pole is adjusted by sliding the orange cord along the black cord. You can also do this in the studio with a light stand and sand bag. Use the sand bag as a weight for the light stand & as the counter balance for the boom by way of the paracord.
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With the conventional set-up of counter weight attached to the boom you need to adjust the weight on the boom according to the weight on the business end. With this method, if you decide to change the light or modifier, there is no need to remove the weight from the boom in order to do so. All that happens is the paracord goes slack. As soon as you add a light, tension is regained.
VAL Spigot HOW TO GUIDE
BAR CLAMP Many bar clamps are available in DIY and hardware stores have a ¾” bar which is a perfect fit to the 1420 VAL Spigot. These clamps are actually very strong and I’m happy attaching a Speedlite with a 60cm Lastolite Ezybox to one.
As one would expect, if you can use a Speedlite, there’s no reason why a lightweight portable flash such as an Elinchrom Ranger Quadra head can’t be used.
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And don’t forget that the 1420 VAL Spigot is designed to fit both in line and at 90º
Bar clamps will attach to door frames, doors, tables, shelves and most flat parallel surfaces.
VAL Spigot HOW TO GUIDE
JUST ABOUT ANY ACCESSORY WILL FIT THE VAL SPIGOT Here are just a few lighting modifiers and accessories in use with the 1420 or 34x2 VAL Spigots.
Speedlite or hot shoe flash with an umbrella.
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175 Justin clamp with a Speedlite.
California Sunbounce Micro Mini with the aid of a Convi or Super Clamp.
VAL Spigot HOW TO GUIDE
Diffusion panel, in this case a homemade DIY frame constructed from solvent weld plastic water waste pipe, with white Rip Stop nylon as a diffuser/ reflector.
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Pop-up disc reflector/diffuser. By using the extension boom with a VAL Spigot you’re able to place your reflectors/diffusers with accuracy & ease.
And if you don’t have an extension pole handy, you can aways use a wooden walking stick . . .
VAL Spigot HOW TO GUIDE
. . . or a length of metal tube. The inline and transverse holes are both 3/4� 19mm diameter with a 20mm thumb screw on the 1420 model. In the studio we’ve even used a length of wooden dowel to rig lights.
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Portable battery flash such as Elinchrom Ranger Quadra, Lencarta or Godox will fit VAL Spigots, as will modifiers such as the Lastolite Eyzbox range.
VAL Spigot HOW TO GUIDE
If you shoot DSLR video, using a cold shoe attachment with a 1/4� 20 UNC thread it’s possible to attach a rifle microphone to your extension pole.
With a attachment plate you can even fit a camera to your extension pole using your 1420 VAL Spigot enabling you to create a camera angle or point of view otherwise not possible without steps or a ladder. If shooting video you have a makeshift boom/jib.
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TRAVELLING LIGHT AND TIGHT There are times when it is neither practical or desirable to carry excessive heavy and bulky lighting grip accessories, this is where the 1420 VAL Spigot is in a class of its’ own. Weighing in at around 80g it’s light, compact & durable.
If you have a webbing luggage strap, what’s to stop you using it to fasten your 1420 VAL Spigot to a convenient tree, lamp post, sign post or railing? We’ve found that luggage straps with a metal cam lock fastening give the best grip.
VAL Spigot HOW TO GUIDE
For extra grip you can use either our 2 x VAL Spigot Connecting Bar or other tube, bar/rod.
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Peter Williams is a serving British soldier. He travels light and tight so the 1420 VAL Spigot is a permanent fixture in Pete’s camera bag. On location he uses a length of copper pipe and adjustable elastic bungees as a means of attaching his lights to convenient supports. In this case a safety rail on top of the Rock of Gibraltar and below hammered into a crack in the rock of a cliff face. Images Š Copyright 2014 Pete Williams http://www. petewilliamsphotography. co.uk
VAL Spigot HOW TO GUIDE
The VAL Spigot will sneak into the smallest of spaces.
This is a particular favourite of mine. An Elinchrom 18cm Quadra reflector, containing a head with a Wilson Cap, 2.5m power lead, white & 1/2 CTS Grid Cloth with fold back clips to secure the Grid Cloth to the reflector.
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THERE’S MORE TO COME . . .
VAL Spigot HOW TO GUIDE
Fixing a Elinchrom Ranger Quadra Head to a 7’ Parabolic Umbrella By inserting a 16mm 5/8� tube or bar into the Kupo Umbrella Swivel allows you to adjust the position of the flash head in relation to the sweet spot or optical centre of lighting umbrellas.
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. . . WHY STOP AT ONE LIGHT? It’s also possible with our joining bar to use 2 x VAL Spigots to create a dual flash bracket which enbles you to gain more power and/or a faster recycle time for some applications. Two Speedlites or (most) hot shoe flash will give you between 160 & 190ws when used in tandem.
The advantage of using VAL Spigots over proprietory multiple flash mounts is the ability to move each flash independently, rather than both being in a fixed position. You also have versatility allowing you to use kit most photographers already own in the form of the Umbrella Bracket & Super Clamp. I’ve used a metal cold shoe and a Frio Cold Shoe purely for illustrative purposes. Frio Cold Shoe is available from many photographery retailers. We sell the metal cold shoe so you have an out of the box solution, ready to shoot.
VAL Spigot HOW TO GUIDE
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EVEN MORE POWER? For more power, why not use 2 x Elinchrom Quadra heads, each with their own power pack? That will give you up to 800ws to play with! Versatility, that’s the name of the game when you pack light & tight. There are few other accessories which give you so many options.
1420 VAL Spigot
THE accessory to get you out of a fix! VAL Spigot HOW TO GUIDE
IN CONCLUSION The VAL Spigot is much more than an accessory for attaching lights to a painters extension pole. It’s a versatile bit if kit, which for some will sit in their bag until an emergency. For many it has become a part of their standard goto kit for lighting, me included. “I have a 1420 VAL Spigot in my bag, just in case. If it gets me out of a fix it’s well worth the price!” Rick Friedman, Board of Directors, Boston Press Photographers Association
“Great product Ian! It was used on my last photo ‘Kilcunda’ and much more comfortable for the assistant than holding light stands. It’s a very well designed and made product.” Bill Gekas, Multi Awarded and Published Fine Art Portrait Photographer
MY THANKS TO Les Topham-Brown & Monty for helping create many of the images in this eBook and Pete Williams for allowing me to use his images from Gibraltar & elsewhere and for proof reading my draft copy.
VAL Spigot HOW TO GUIDE