If any of you photographers out there started out learning basic lighting concepts using small studio flashes off-camera (aka the strobist method) like I did, then you probably have used or have heard of the revered {Vivitar 285HV} flash. There’s really no question why the 285HV is so well-liked among strobists since it is relatively cheap and packs a bunch of power for the price. It does have a few negatives such as a proprietary sync port and no settings for 1/8 power, but the biggest flaw of this flash is the awkwardly-shaped flash head. Compared to modern flashes like the {Canon Speedlite 580EX II} or {Nikon SB-900 Speedlight}, the 285HV’s head is ridiculously large. Consequently, it makes finding lighting modifiers that will fit this flash a REAL pain. Now contrary to the title of this post, I really prefer to stay away from DIY stuff when it comes to my photography equipment. Don’t get me wrong; there’s nothing wrong with making your own snoots, brolly boxes, beauty dishes, etc. if you are handy and have the time to do this. Unfortunately, I don’t have the time or the patience to sit down and do all of that when there are companies out there that make the equipment I need. Plus, I care about the image I portray to my clients during our sessions, so I would rather not bring something to a shoot that looks like a homeless man made it unprofessional. With that being said, I really needed to find a good snoot that would work on my Vivitars. After doing some research online, I came across someone using a {Caselogic ANC Neoprene Mobile Catch All} to snoot their 285HV. This was the answer I had been looking for! It’s really a case to hold personal items such as a cell phone, glasses or other small items that you can attach to a car dashboard or the like. But it works PERFECTLY as a snoot. It’s made out of neoprene and the opening is adjustable, so you can control the shape of the light a little bit if necessary. Another great asset is that it looks professional! I call it semi-DIY because it does take a few minutes to cut the strap off that comes with it as well as the stitching that holds the bottom of the case together. But for $3.99 and a few minutes of your time..I’d say this purchase is well worth it if you own one of these!
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