flash brackets?

[Nickcanada]

What do you guys use?? I'm thinking of picking one up.

[cdifoto]

Newton. Doesn't add much to the overall rig so it's not unwieldy or cumbersome.

[cdifoto]

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/gear/2007-07-16-newton.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/gear/2007-11-13-001.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/gear/2007-11-23-001.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/gear/2008-01-17-019.jpg

[Rhys]

I don't use one. I have seen them in use and they look cumbersome and unwieldy. The worst I have ever seen just looked plain dangerous.

[cdifoto]

I actually find not using a bracket more cumbersome than using one. It's bad enough to have to move the head around to aim it where you want the initial time - moving it again to hit the same location in the opposite orientation just stinks. With a bracket, all I have to do is lift the flash's mount up and over and the head stays in the same place.

[Mark_48]

I don't use one. I have seen them in use and they look cumbersome and unwieldy. The worst I have ever seen just looked plain dangerous.

I gotta ask....
The idea of the bracket is to get the flash above the camera when in a portrait orientation to avoid getting shadows to the side of the subject. How are you doing this if you are?

[Nickcanada]

That Newton looks really slick.

I guess it's this one?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/378955-REG/Newton_Camera_Brackets_DI100FRS_Di100FRs_Flash_Rot ator_Bracket.html (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/378955-REG/Newton_Camera_Brackets_DI100FRS_Di100FRs_Flash_Rot ator_Bracket.html)

[Mark_48]

Was using a Stroboframe Folding Flip which was getting loose at the joints. Found a seller on ebay selling a Custom Bracket a Pro-M at a real good price. Shutter button the grip ends up on the topside where it should be. Easy to rotate and locks to position.

Since the subject of brackets came up, I got an email from the seller I bought the Pro-M from. He has more Pro-M's to sell and would prefer not to use ebay. When I bought the Pro-M I did some research on the seller and I think he is actually connected to the Custom Brackets company in some way and the Pro-M's he is selling are of an older design. If anyone is interested I can PM the information. The sellers ebay ID is dzstudios12. Check his feedback for past sales of the brackets. His current price is $200 & free shipping.

[cdifoto]

That Newton looks really slick.

I guess it's this one?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/378955-REG/Newton_Camera_Brackets_DI100FRS_Di100FRs_Flash_Rot ator_Bracket.html (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/378955-REG/Newton_Camera_Brackets_DI100FRS_Di100FRs_Flash_Rot ator_Bracket.html)
That's the non-folding version of the flash rotator. The one I have is here (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/326962-REG/Newton_Camera_Brackets_DI100FR2_Di100FR2_Folding_F lash_Rotator.html). There's a camera rotating version too, but IMHO it doesn't leave enough room underneath to use the zoom ring comfortably due to the fact that the rotation mechanism is underneath the lens rather than above it like on the flash rotator. It's also more expensive. You can see it here (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/224818-REG/Newton_Camera_Brackets_DI100CR_Di100CR_Camera_Rota tor_Bracket.html).

[Mark_48]

Another option at a bit less money might be this bracket from ebay. For the price I'm toying around with the idea to get one to try out. A few reviews I've seen didn't think it was bad for the money. Not sure if it's rotation mechanics is similar to the Newton or not.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Flash-Rotating-Bracket-fits-all-SLR-DSLR-camera-US_W0QQitemZ120286717771QQihZ002QQcategoryZ30084QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Supposedly it's a clone of this one.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/52784-REG/Stroboframe_300_100_VH_2000_Stroboflip_Bracket.htm l

[Rhys]

I gotta ask....
The idea of the bracket is to get the flash above the camera when in a portrait orientation to avoid getting shadows to the side of the subject. How are you doing this if you are?

Offshoe cord and my hand.

[cdifoto]

Offshoe cord and my hand.
I thought you had bad wrists. How are you holding a camera in one hand?

[Mark_48]

Offshoe cord and my hand.

Hmm, Hold the camera, hold the flash, and zoom the lens simultaneously. You evidently have better dexterity than me :D

"cumbersome" "unwieldy" "plain dangerous"

[cdifoto]

Another option at a bit less money might be this bracket from ebay. For the price I'm toying around with the idea to get one to try out. A few reviews I've seen didn't think it was bad for the money. Not sure if it's rotation mechanics is similar to the Newton or not.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Flash-Rotating-Bracket-fits-all-SLR-DSLR-camera-US_W0QQitemZ120286717771QQihZ002QQcategoryZ30084QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Supposedly it's a clone of this one.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/52784-REG/Stroboframe_300_100_VH_2000_Stroboflip_Bracket.htm l
Consider the way it blocks access to the zoom and/or focus ring though. Might be an issue, might not.

[Mark_48]

Offshoe cord and my hand.

Okay, okay I figured out what your doing............

[FLiPMaRC]

I was reading this thread in POTN last week: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=537756&highlight=flash+bracket

[FLiPMaRC]

Another option at a bit less money might be this bracket from ebay. For the price I'm toying around with the idea to get one to try out. A few reviews I've seen didn't think it was bad for the money. Not sure if it's rotation mechanics is similar to the Newton or not.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Flash-Rotating-Bracket-fits-all-SLR-DSLR-camera-US_W0QQitemZ120286717771QQihZ002QQcategoryZ30084QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Supposedly it's a clone of this one.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/52784-REG/Stroboframe_300_100_VH_2000_Stroboflip_Bracket.htm l

I'm not sure if it's the exact same eBay bracket in this review thread: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=486113&highlight=flash+bracket

[Mark_48]

I'm not sure if it's the exact same eBay bracket in this review thread: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=486113&highlight=flash+bracket

I believe that thread is where I first saw it.

For Don....

One of the posts in that thread, "I have the stroboframe version and Newton... Newton is 500% better... " :cool:

[cdifoto]

I've had a stroboframe (not that particular one you linked) and I agree. The Newton is very likely to be the last bracket I ever buy. IMHO, Stroboframes are to try, Newtons are to keep.

[Nickcanada]

Thanks for the info and links guys. I'm leaning towards the Newton, but two of those ebay things are pretty tempting to try out.

I definitely like the non handle type. Looks like the Newton keeps everything close to the camera which looks like it would make it much easier to handle.

[FLiPMaRC]

Does this look like a Chinese knock-off of the Newton?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Flash-Rotating-Bracket-for-Canon-350D-400D-450D-US_W0QQitemZ110274234532QQihZ001QQcategoryZ30084QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[cdifoto]

Does this look like a Chinese knock-off of the Newton?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Flash-Rotating-Bracket-for-Canon-350D-400D-450D-US_W0QQitemZ110274234532QQihZ001QQcategoryZ30084QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
That's a chinese knockoff of the Stroboframe. It's the same one in Mark's post you quoted earlier.

[FLiPMaRC]

That's a chinese knockoff of the Stroboframe. It's the same one in Mark's post you quoted earlier.

Thanks Don :)

[cdifoto]

Looks like the Newton keeps everything close to the camera which looks like it would make it much easier to handle.
That's why I like it. It's about as close to adding a rotation mechanism directly to your camera body as you can get. To me, that's what it's all about. I pretty much never shoot direct flash indoors (outdoors you don't really even need a bracket since side-shadow isn't much of an issue anyway), so it's not about red-eye reduction or getting the flash way high - it's about maintaining the position of the head when you flip back and forth.

[cdifoto]

Thanks Don :)
No problem. I'm not aware of any Newton clones so far.

[Mark_48]

Know of any Chinese Newtons ??? :D

You answered before I had a chance to ask. Man, you have psychic abilities.

[24Peter]

Another option at a bit less money might be this bracket from ebay. .
http://cgi.ebay.com/Flash-Rotating-Bracket-fits-all-SLR-DSLR-camera-US_W0QQitemZ120286717771QQihZ002QQcategoryZ30084QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


I got one of these. For $30 I figured it was worth a try. I haven't really used it "under pressure" since with my model stuff I don't do much on-camera flash and I haven't shot any events in months. I also haven't used any other brackets so can't compare. The two big downsides for me are: 1) it can get a bit wobbly from the weight of the flash. This may or may not be true of other brackets, but simply by virtue of the fact that it is supporting the weight of a flash + 4 batteries at the end of what is effectively a lever (recall your 9th grade physics), the mass of the flash is amplified significantly - i.e., torque. Put a Gary Dong Liteshpere on it, and even those few add'l ounces are felt.

It's mainly when I tilt the camera forward to chimp - all the weight of the flash pulls down and forward and it clearly strains the little hot shoe connector as well as the bracket itself. I don't dare extend the bracket to accomodate the grip(e) on my 40D as the torque is just too much (i.e., longer lever = more force.) But during normal camera position, it's not really an issue. It's only if you're reviewing pics or if you're running around with the camera pointed towards the floor between shots and accidently knock something with the flash, it's probably gone.

2) the pivot to move the flash from landscape to portrait orientation sticks a bit (I tried adjusting the screws - no help.)

Again for $30 it's worth a try. I'm not sure what I'm describing is limited to this bracket; they may all have issues or maybe this one just isn't rigid enough to avoid the flexing. I'm just not sure how confident I'd feel using it at say a wedding without really putting it through it's paces once or twice first.

[Nickcanada]

I got one of these. For $30 I figured it was worth a try. I haven't really used it "under pressure" since with my model stuff I don't do much on-camera flash and I haven't shot any events in months. I also haven't used any other brackets so can't compare. The two big downsides for me are: 1) it can get a bit wobbly from the weight of the flash. This may or may not be true of other brackets, but simply by virtue of the fact that it is supporting the weight of a flash + 4 batteries at the end of what is effectively a lever (recall your 9th grade physics), the mass of the flash is amplified significantly - i.e., torque. Put a Gary Dong Liteshpere on it, and even those few add'l ounces are felt.

It's mainly when I tilt the camera forward to chimp - all the weight of the flash pulls down and forward and it clearly strains the little hot shoe connector as well as the bracket itself. I don't dare extend the bracket to accomodate the grip(e) on my 40D as the torque is just too much (i.e., longer lever, more force.) But during normal camera position, it's not really an issue. It's only if you're reviewing pics or if you're running around with the camera pointed towards the floor between shots and accidently knock something with the flash, it's probably gone.

2) the pivot to move the flash from landscape to portrait orientation sticks a bit (I tried adjusting the screws - no help.)

Again for $30 it's worth a try. I'm not sure what I'm describing is limited to this bracket; they may all have issues or maybe this one just isn't rigid enough to avoid the flexing. I'm just not sure how confident I'd feel using it at say a wedding without really putting it through it's paces once or twice first.



Thanks for chiming in....

How does your Newton feel Don?

[cdifoto]

FWIW, I have none of those issues with the Newton. The pivot has a little friction to it but that's a good thing...keeps it from flopping around on you. Newtons are quite solidly machined. I can sling the strap over my shoulder without giving any more thought to it than I do to the other camera which usually doesn't have a flash mounted these days.

[24Peter]

Yeah it could be a design thing, or just the quality of the material - not rigid enough. My use would be more casual anyway - family events, etc., so I didn't want to spend the extra money.
Also, don't know if this was covered elsewhere, but I tried two different 3rd party off camera cords and neither worked properly with eTTL. I ended up going with a Canon OC-E3 and it works perfectly, as if the flash was directly on the camera.

[Rhys]

Just a thought but...

If you purchased a standard L bracket then your flash would be up and to the left for horizontal photos and up and to the right for vertical photos. Not only that but the flash tube would be aligned correctly. This is one of the things I miss about not having a hammerhead flash unit like my trusty Metz 45.

[cdifoto]

Yeah it could be a design thing, or just the quality of the material - not rigid enough. My use would be more casual anyway - family events, etc., so I didn't want to spend the extra money.

I would say so. I had no sturdiness issues with my first bracket - but it was a design I didn't care for.

Also, don't know if this was covered elsewhere, but I tried two different 3rd party off camera cords and neither worked properly with eTTL. I ended up going with a Canon OC-E3 and it works perfectly, as if the flash was directly on the camera.
I've had OEM cords the whole time so I can't really comment here. I do know that the OC-E3 is much better built than the older OC-2 though, especially regarding the threads (metal on the new, plastic on the old).

[Nickcanada]

damn this flash bracket is going to be costly! 70 bucks for a cord, 180 bucks for a bracket... am I missing anything? should I be looking at any quick release adapter things etc.

[24Peter]

I picked up a "used" OC-E3 from FM for $60 shipped/paypalled - but the guy had never actually used it - it was still wrapped and in the box. Yeah and for $180 make sure you really want a bracket... 'tain't cheap.

[Mark_48]

Don,
I can't tell from your Newton images, can a tripod QR plate be mounted to the bracket to allow tripod use?

I'm kind of liking the compact looks of the Newton.

[cdifoto]

Yeah there are standard threads on the bottom. Looks kinda wierd but it's do-able.

[cdifoto]

damn this flash bracket is going to be costly! 70 bucks for a cord, 180 bucks for a bracket... am I missing anything? should I be looking at any quick release adapter things etc.
At the very least you'll need the cord holder (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/331120-REG/Newton_Camera_Brackets_210102_Flash_Mount_Adapter_ f_.html). I bought the quick release as well but it's not really all that quick. It's better than having to remove the holder via Alan wrench though.

[cdifoto]

BTW Newton sells all this stuff direct:

www.newtoncamerabrackets.com (http://www.newtoncamerabrackets.com)

It's not cheaper but B&H doesn't have the QR in stock right now.

[Nickcanada]

I picked up a "used" OC-E3 from FM for $60 shipped/paypalled - but the guy had never actually used it - it was still wrapped and in the box. Yeah and for $180 make sure you really want a bracket... 'tain't cheap.

I know I want one.... I just don't know how much I want to spend on one! haha.

It seems like the kinda thing I'd regret going cheap on though.


So Don you said something wasn't in stock, I see the Di200FR2 is in stock and so is the flash mount adapter.

[cdifoto]

The quick release is what they had out of stock when I looked last.

[Nickcanada]

The quick release is what they had out of stock when I looked last.

Ahh, I see, I think I could do without that.

Thanks for all the help, it's much appreciated!

[Rhys]

I thought you had bad wrists. How are you holding a camera in one hand?

Just the left wrist is bad.

Actually, your post set me off on a DIY idea.

[Mark_48]

Just the left wrist is bad.

Actually, your post set me off on a DIY idea.


I hope it's not one of these....


























but it would free up your hands..........:D

[Rhys]

Lol. More like an adaptation of this:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c253/Rony37/Bracket.jpg

[cdifoto]

Ahh, I see, I think I could do without that.

Thanks for all the help, it's much appreciated!
Yeah you don't really lose functionality by not having it. I picked it up because I wanted to be able to pull off the cord easily at the end of a shoot and place the bracket flat in a pocket of my bag and the cord inside a lens hood. Little things like that are why I can pack so much crap in that backpack.

[adam75south]

i have the custom bracket jr something or another
http://www.custombrackets.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=36

it's really cheap and works great. but it's big and heavy and hard to pack up. it's not that it's heavy, but when you're shooting with two cameras and it's hanging from your neck with a flash on top of it...it wears on you. the expensive ones are expensive for a reason. but like i said, picturewise i LOOOOVE mine.

also, if you have a battery grip and shoot vertical, the metal thing kinda pokes into your middle finger and willl make it sore after a while.

[cwphoto]

What about one of these suckers? http://reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/Itemdesc.asp?ic=WPF%2D1&eq=&Tp=

[Mark_48]

I'll throw another bracket into the mix. My niece has this one and although not cheap it's very well made and does what it's supposed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MjqWuxedug

[cdifoto]

What about one of these suckers? http://reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/Itemdesc.asp?ic=WPF%2D1&eq=&Tp=

That's the flip style my first bracket had. I hated it.

I'll throw another bracket into the mix. My niece has this one and although not cheap it's very well made and does what it's supposed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MjqWuxedug
Looks like a nice, well thought out bracket. Too rich for my blood though! :eek:

http://www.justritebracket.com/Products.html

[Rhys]

To be honest, I don't really like brackets...

This is what they say on DWF about brackets...
Flash brackets are so last year.

That's partially a joke, I found the size and weight of mine (owned 3 diff types) to be cumbersome so I've replaced it's use with a cord and my back/arms/neck are all happier.

I brought one, but it usually stays in my camera bag. It makes the camera very heavy. I would definitely try it in the store before buying one.

I started with a flash bracket and it seems now - everytime I think about how heavy the setup is with the bracket - I leave it in my case.

[Nickcanada]

that justrite bracket looks awesome! but damn I'll have to start going to the gym if I picked one of those up!.

I'm still in love with the Newton design. I'm not sure if I'll pick one up for this up coming wedding though. There are still a few other things I need to figure out.

[FLiPMaRC]

I'll throw another bracket into the mix. My niece has this one and although not cheap it's very well made and does what it's supposed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MjqWuxedug

Neat :cool:

[cdifoto]

To be honest, I don't really like brackets...

This is what they say on DWF about brackets...
You, as well as those other guys, are simply buying the wrong brackets. I did NOT use my bracket for Kristen's reception, figuring I would make like lazy and kinda cruise through it. I wish I had used my bracket, because shooting without it was a bigger pain in the ass than shooting with it.

[adam75south]

i looooove the bracket...like others said, my back is definitely sore after an all day wedding...then again i'm pretty sure it was like that before the bracket as well. but having those almost invisible shadows and natural looking light is just the shizzz. also i LOOOVE the lightsphere.

maybe when i get home i'll post up some examples of with and without...maybe not though, i'm pretty lazy.

[Mark_48]

To be honest, I don't really like brackets...

This is what they say on DWF about brackets...

What brackets have you tried that you didn't like, other than the basic "L" bracket and why?

[kameramann]

What do you guys use?? I'm thinking of picking one up.

I am so happy that I have a new flash bracket. The producer is Winphotec.

[Mark_48]

I am so happy that I have a new flash bracket. The producer is Winphotec.

Are you shooting weddings or other types of events with it? Is it a flip or rotating design?

:D

[adam75south]

I am so happy that I have a new flash bracket. The producer is Winphotec.

yea, me too. matter of fact, i'm happy for you.

[kameramann]

Are you shooting weddings or other types of events with it? Is it a flip or rotating design?

:D

I am newcomer of macro photography. This is the flash bracket (http://www.flash-brackets.de/html-english/flash-brackets.php). :)