Smith-Victor FH1 12" Universal Filter Holder

2011-08-04T21:00:00

I purchased this item to use with colored, diffusion, UV and polarizing filters when using flash studio strobes. I read reviews that this was a flimsy filter holder, but there are not too many "universal" filter holders on the market these days, so I took a chance. Actually it's not flimsy at all, but you can't really manhandle it and expect it to hold up. Everything is Metal except for the part that attaches to the Light-stand and of course the knobs on the adjustment screws. The good is that the holder is painted with a thick coat of black paint that is not easily scratched. There are 4 clips on each corner of the frame so that you can attach a filter. It would have been nice if you were able to move those clips up and down the frame, so that the holder could accomodate different sized filters, but the clips are stationery so you can only use 12"X12" gel filters. Once the filter is attached, you can adjust the frame so that the filter is closer or farther away from the light. I place mine about 5 inches away, which is enough to keep the modeling light from melting the Gel filter. All in all, I found this holder works pretty well, it colapses for easy storage and does what its supposed to, I'm even thinking about getting another one. My only gripe is that for the money, you are not getting much. Basically this holder could have been easily made in a highschool, or garage metal-shop for about 1/3 of the price, but I live in an apartment and don't have the tools.

HARRY J.

2010-06-03T21:00:00

I use it to polarize the light at the stand with a polarizer gel, for small product work. At the risk of "darning with faint praise"...: This does what it needs to. Yes, it's less robust than far more expensive products, but I don't use gels that often, so this does the trick for me. In fact, I'm buying another one today. I tried a less expensive unit by another manufacturer and that one makes this one look like Gibraltar. What I like about it is that it actually fits on the light stand since it can fit over a 5/8" pole, which the other one could not. Also, although I'm not delighted with the amount of plastic in this unit, what I'm trying to do is position a lightweight gel in front of the light. This does not require a steel girder. An earlier reviewer said he broke an attachment by overtightening it which one could certainly do in a rush. Take your time, get it snug, don't be a brute with the thing and it will do the job as advertised. If you hammer your equipment, spend more money and get something tougher. But don't buy anything cheaper. I give it four stars because it works for me but I'm not using it all day every day. I wish it was either a little more robust or a little less money, and it would get five stars for my purposes.

ROBERT N.

2009-03-29T21:00:00

This isn't the best filter holder on the market but it does the trick without breaking the bank. If your subjects don't mind what your equipment looks like this filter holder will do.

The P.

2008-05-16T21:00:00

Foreword: I like quality products like Avenger, Manfrotto, and others made of metal for hard work in studio. Connector of this film holder looks like metal, but actually made of plastic. I broke the plastic connector first time I tried to mount the holder on Avenger stand. The connector simply cannot handle pressure of its fixing screw. The holder can easily drop and damage expensive studio strobes if bolts, which form the holder shape, are not very tightly coupled. Be aware!

Evgeny G.