What the Rock Solid Cross Bar Does for Dual-Flash Rigs
If you shoot step-and-repeat events or studio portraits with two off-camera flashes, you need a rigid platform that keeps your camera and lights in a predictable position. The Tether Tools Rock Solid 2-Head Tripod Cross Bar turns a standard tripod into a dual-flash bracket by giving you a horizontal bar that can hold both a camera and a flash arm.
The key piece is the Rock Solid 2-Head Cross Bar Side Arm, which mounts to the Rock Solid 4-Head Tripod Cross Bar via the 3/8" threads at its end. Together they create the Tether "T" setup: the computer or camera sits on the main cross bar at a constant height, while the side arm provides vertical movement for your second flash or modifier.
Assembling the Tether "T" for Two Lights
The whole rig takes a couple of minutes to set up once you have the components. Here is the sequence using supplied instructions.
- Mount the 4-Head Cross Bar to your tripod: Attach the Rock Solid 4-Head Tripod Cross Bar to the tripod's centre column. This gives you the main horizontal rail that will hold your camera or computer.
- Attach the Side Arm to the cross bar: Screw the Rock Solid 2-Head Cross Bar Side Arm into the 3/8" threads at one end of the 4-Head bar. The side arm has knurled plates for quick, tool-free mounting.
- Adjust the arm height for your subject: The side arm provides 24" of vertical movement. Use the double locking ratchet knobs to secure the arm at the optimal height as subjects enter and exit the frame.
- Position the camera on the cross bar: Place your camera or computer on the main cross bar so it remains at a constant height. The side arm then holds the second flash or modifier, letting you adjust that light independently.
Keeping the Rig Stable During a Shoot
The double locking ratchet knobs on the side arm keep the arm secure at the height you set, so you do not have to recheck alignment between every subject. The knurled mounting plates also mean you can attach or remove the arm quickly without tools, which matters when you are swapping between a single-light and dual-flash setup.
For step-and-repeat photography, you simply adjust the vertical bar to the appropriate levels as subjects come in and out of the frame. The 24" range covers most height differences between adults and children without moving the tripod.
Rock Solid 2-Head Tripod Cross Bar at a Glance
- Tether Tools Rock Solid 2-Head Tripod Cross Bar: Combine the Rock Solid 2-Head Cross Bar Side Arm with the Rock Solid 4-Head Tripod Cross Bar to create the Tether "T" setup enabling easy adjustments to the camera’s height. This is the exact configuration that gives you a dual-flash rig with independent height control for each light.
Tether Tools Rock Solid 2-Head Tripod Cross Bar - Tether Tools Rock Solid 2-Head Tripod Cross Bar: The double locking ratchet knobs keep the Arm secure at the optimal height for your subject. Reliable locking means you do not have to re-tighten between shots, which is critical in fast-paced event work.
- Tether Tools Rock Solid 2-Head Tripod Cross Bar: The Arm stores compactly using the custom designed travel bag for easy transport and storage. When the shoot is over, the side arm packs away without taking up extra space in your kit bag.
What You Need for This Setup
To create the Tether "T" setup pictured, the Rock Solid Tripod Cross Bar is also needed. All other items pictured (camera, flashes, modifiers) are sold separately. The side arm itself comes with the 3/8" thread mount and knurled plates, but you supply the tripod and the main cross bar.
If you already own a Rock Solid 4-Head Tripod Cross Bar, adding the 2-Head Side Arm is a straightforward upgrade that turns your single-light rig into a dual-flash bracket without buying a whole new system.
