Review on Manfrotto 026 Lite Tite Umbrella Adapter by Kyle Deel

There is no reason to buy anything else in my opinion. I understand that you can splurge to death, but some things are really worth the extra cost. Model 026 is really the best in my opinion. I'm new to photography and when I was ready to step into the big world of flash photography, I took the time to carefully explore my gear options. To be honest, it really is a no-brainer. 5/8 inserts on both ends provide near-universal compatibility with mounting options that already have 026 on top of the package. It's obviously intended for mounting on a light stand, but the included female adapter allows the 026 to be screwed onto a 1/4" or 3/8" male mount. Not all alternatives include these adapters. All locks are easy to work with and the entire installation is a solid bridge once tightened. The best of it is the basic twist lock. This is the largest of the castles. And once tightened, the handle can be "unlocked" and adjusted to a more comfortable angle, then locked again. The rest of the tensioners are well designed and well placed. The only thing I would like to change to improve this design is the "top latch" that normally holds your hot shoe. A grip would be preferable to a clamp spanner. The rest is fairly industry standard. Bottom line, the adapter for the Manfrotto 026 umbrella can be had for $30-35. It won't break the bank when compared to the cost of a decent flash. In fact, what a decent light costs, I really wouldn't put anything else into it. Something else. If you put a flash on this thing, you're doing yourself a favor. Buy a Stroboframe shoe adapter. These are the best. The result is a positive lock at the foot of the heel shoe. In addition, they have a cutout that allows enough clearance for the contacts on the underside of the flash (i.e. prevents them from shorting each other). Questions. The brass thread adapter should sit approximately 3/16" into the mount for proper clearance and a secure lock.