Macro Flash

I've recently acquired two Nikon SB-15 speedlights ($20 each!) that I want to use for macro work, mounted on either side of a lens. These units have an MD mode that cuts the power quite a bit for quick recycling. According to my flash meter, I should be able to shoot at f/11 (effectively f/22) on ASA 100 film when focused at a 1:1 ratio.

I'll probably use it on an F or F3 body with an adapted Mamiya 50mm ZE macro lens but I might also use it with the RB67.

At any rate I'm looking for suggestions on mounting hardware for hand-held or tripod use. I know brackets for this purpose were once made...

Also I was planning on syncing the flashes with a PC-socket y-cord, but I am so far unable to locate such a cable. I know Nikon used to make TTL cables for this purpose... but I don't really need TTL. Any ideas?

Hi there,
If you are ok shooting totally manual flash, then sync one flash off the camera and have a photo-cell linked to the pc socket of the other flash - this will be triggered by the flash form the first gun. Not many trailing cords this way! I think that Metz still produce/sell a unit, they may even have some options for two-headed flash bar. Manfrotto has a wide range of camera/flash/lighting supports including flexible arms (not cheap) that are the bees knees.
Sim2.

You're probably looking for something like the Lepp Bracket, of which Manfrotto makes a version--

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...h_Bracket.html

There are probably also options from Kirk Enterprises and Really Right Stuff that would work for you, probably better, probably more expensive.

An option for mounting macro lighting I used many years ago was to pull out my boyhood Meccano set. It also made my first roller base for processing EP/s2 in tubes. Oops I'm showing my age.

I think my Erector Set got donated to The Salvation Army many years ago... but that is a good idea. I think a visit to a hardware store is in order.

The Manfrotto/Bogen 3278 macro bracket flash will work. It is adjustable and holds two shoe mount flash heads (one of which could be on a slave). The Nikon cable I believe you are referring to is the SC-17.
Hope this helps.

There are(were) adapters made to connect two flashes with a cube that fit the hot shoe & the PC ords plugged into. BUT...the sync voltage is additive so depending on the voltage of each flash you may have some problems. The F camera should be OK but I would be hesitant to use the F3.

If you can get the flashes to fire don't worry, I measure the sync voltage of my SB-15 and it's only 4V.

I think I'm just going to get the Bogen bracket at some point. Nikon specifically states the SB-15 is compatible with the F3 so no worries there (no TTL either but that's not important).

I made my own bracket out of particle board using The Maual Of Close-Up Photography (1979 Lester Lefkowitz) as a guide.