This is a great little umbrella adapter that makes entry into advanced lighting very painless. It offers all of the flexibility and adaptability one could hope for at a great price. The light metal shoe mount is threaded onto the 1/4" male stud, and the male and female studs are reversible with 1/4" and 3/8" threads. The longer lever in the product image controls the tilt and can operate like a ratchet in case your lighting rig is in the way somehow.

The weakness in the design is the plastic screw and fine, shallow threads for the umbrella holder (all other threads are metal). This screw could be over-tightened, stripping the threads in the swivel bracket. Be careful and you're okay--my umbrella hasn't exactly fallen out of the bracket yet! The overall build is acceptable. Considering the cost of most photographic equipment, at this price the build is exceptional. I wonder just how much better a more expensive bracket can be.

For Minolta/Sony users, the removable shoe mount covers up what we need, the 1/4" thread, so we can simply remove it and attach whatever we like; the stands that come with our flashes, or the Sony FACS1AM Off-Camera Shoe for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera Flashes.

I recommend this swivel bracket for anybody getting into off-camera lighting. For a sturdy kit with maximum versatility and minimum expense, I recommend pairing this bracket with the Adorama 40" White Interior Umbrella with Removeable Black Cover.Get more detail about Studio Pro Swivel Bracket.