The Flash Bracket? Do they really matter anymore?

[AdamJ]

This might work.

 

[RLPhoto]

I finally bought this bracket. It's small and compact but does the job.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=invoice&A=details&Q=&sku=464814&is=REG

 

[Drizzt321]

The trouble with the E-TTL cord is that you end up needing a third hand to hold the flash.

Do you?

That looks like a 5D3 with a st-e3-rt and two 600rt flash units.

Or you could be like this guy.

 

[paul13walnut5]

How can anybody laugh at a man with the guts to wear (only!) gold y fronts?

 

[Drizzt321]

How can anybody laugh at a man with the guts to wear (only!) gold y fronts?

Who said I'm laughing? It's Burning Man, that's just considered average. However, hauling around that whole getup? And have you seen some of the photos he has produced with that? Wow!

 

[digital paradise]

The Wedding Pro Flash Bracket looks promising from Really Right Stuff.

Anyone have this and can provide some feedback?

http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=WPF-QR&type=4&eq=&desc=WPF-QR%3a-Flash-Bracket-with-fixed-mount

This is the bracket I use. It is very versatile and gets the flash higher in relationship to the lens. I will always try to bounce first. If I can't then I pullout the bracket and shoot direct. I also will also crank up the ISO. A very solid product.

 

[digital paradise]

I finally bought this bracket. It's small and compact but does the job.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=invoice&A=details&Q=&sku=464814&is=REG

Can I ask why you chose this style? Why lower the flash to the lens rather than raise it?

 

[Loswr]

I finally bought this bracket. It's small and compact but does the job.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=invoice&A=details&Q=&sku=464814&is=REG

Can I ask why you chose this style? Why lower the flash to the lens rather than raise it?

The CB Mini brackets are intended primarily for shooting in portrait orientation, IMO, so the flash is above the lens axis. If one will be switching back and forth from landscape to portrait orientation, an adjustable blacket is a much better choice, IMO. I use one of the RRS ring brackets, personally.

 

[Dave_NYC]

This is good stuff. I Might look into one, What bracket is lightweight and can easily switch orientation? I usually carry two cameras on me at all times at a wedding so a lightweight bracket would be appreciated.

Zooming will be a non-issue but I will need a bracket that allows easy lens changes.

I have this one: http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-233B-Camera-Bracket--Black/dp/B00009R6AV/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357827415&sr=8-1&keywords=manfrotto+flash+bracket. It is height adjustable, and the arm can swivel away from the camera so you can actually change your setup (using both hands - one to hold the arm and change angle/rotation, the other to turn the locking knobs). If you put a quick release plate on the bottom of it, you can also drop the whole thing into a tripod.

I like it for the adjustability and it's decent build quality.

Only thing with it - if you're say in horizontal orientation... the more you lean the arm away from the body, the harder it becomes to hold (on the same sort of principle that it's easier to hold something close in to your body than to hold it out in front of you with your arms stretched out - well, that and it's over-using supporting muscles in a lopsided way).

 

[RLPhoto]

I finally bought this bracket. It's small and compact but does the job.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=invoice&A=details&Q=&sku=464814&is=REG

Can I ask why you chose this style? Why lower the flash to the lens rather than raise it?

Because I don't want to carry a giant hulking contraption for vertical direct flash. Small, light and fast are key to my shooting style and a huge flash bracket just won't work for me.

 

[digital paradise]

I finally bought this bracket. It's small and compact but does the job.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=invoice&A=details&Q=&sku=464814&is=REG

Can I ask why you chose this style? Why lower the flash to the lens rather than raise it?

The CB Mini brackets are intended primarily for shooting in portrait orientation, IMO, so the flash is above the lens axis. If one will be switching back and forth from landscape to portrait orientation, an adjustable blacket is a much better choice, IMO. I use one of the RRS ring brackets, personally.

Oh I see. Thanks

 

[digital paradise]

I was talking to a fellow photographer who works weddings all the time. We were discussing on-camera flash and he spoke of always using a flash bracket for on camera.

I've seen them before, those large hulking contraptions that some photogs carry around on a wedding. Is it really necessary though anymore? I think one of those would slow me down but if the benefits are really worth the hassle i'd might look into it.

Supposedly, it will remove the horrid side-shadow when shot in portrait orientation but why not just use a TTL cable and hold the flash in proper orientation rather than carry a bulky and heavy bracket? Or just bounce?

Dunno, It was interesting enough to want some opinions on brackets.

Even though I still use one if there is no where to bounce my flash guru has stopped using them. Todays high ISO capable cameras allow the photographer to bring in much more ambient light therefore less flash is required which greatly reduces the side shadow issue. Of course keeping people away from walls is also a huge factor.

http://neilvn.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/flash-brackets/

I read an article where someone just stopped shooting portrait style at events. Again high ISO capable cameras allow for better cropping so this person just made portrait shots out of landscape orientation.

 

[markphoto]

The Wedding Pro Flash Bracket looks promising from Really Right Stuff.

Anyone have this and can provide some feedback?

http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=WPF-QR&type=4&eq=&desc=WPF-QR%3a-Flash-Bracket-with-fixed-mount

This is the bracket I use. It is very versatile and gets the flash higher in relationship to the lens. I will always try to bounce first. If I can't then I pullout the bracket and shoot direct. I also will also crank up the ISO. A very solid product.

Thanks for the reply. I just ordered it and look forward to trying it out.

 

[digital paradise]

Let us know what you think when you get it.

 

[jonathan7007]

I have one of the StroboFrame units... been around a while, now the brand is owned by Tiffen. Camera flips under the strobe. I think I will run into clearance trouble putting more stuff in the shoe. Using camera without battery pack helps.

There's a newer more high-tech rotating bracket I have seen... been looking around. I don't like having to step back in a hurry to get room for a vertical in my current lens choice. At some point I'd trample a little old lady and get in trouble. So for now I will take a rotating bracket to events.

jonathan7007

http://www.tiffen.com/displayproduct.html?tablename=stroboframe&itemnum=310-900

 

[Old Shooter]

I remember the metz hammerheads well, they date from a time when AA's couldn't hold as much of a charge and things like nicads were the best we could hope for.

I liked the stability of them, there wasn't IS in those days either...

I generally OC cable or wireless flash these days, but I still have a flash grip which occassionally gets a run out for video.

Canon did do an A-TTL hammerhead which I believe can be used manually with E-TTL cameras, but the speedlite form is just what folks prefer these days.

I have always loved Metz - great quality - and their brackets are very well engineered! I still use their 45 CL-4 with my XSi - and for fill it is gorgeous... I would love to use it with my 5DIII - but Metz hasn't engineered their module to work with the 1DX or the MkIII yet... Come one, Metz, I'm waiting!

 

[bycostello]

but why not just use a TTL cable and hold the flash in proper orientation rather than carry a bulky and heavy bracket? Or just bounce?

+1

 

[Loswr]

but why not just use a TTL cable and hold the flash in proper orientation rather than carry a bulky and heavy bracket?

Well, I have only two hands. Maybe you have more, in which case that sounds like a good idea.

 

[digital paradise]

Yeah. I tried that. I can't can't properly support my 5D3 & 24-70II unless I eat some spinach. Popeye to the younger members which you may never heard of anyway ;D.

 

[DBCdp]

I also use the ring flash from Really Right Stuff, have for years and love em. Very quick to adjust between portrait and landscape and not rediculously heavy. Very well made and strong enough to carry the camera by.

I have 2 of em, 4 years old or so and they pretty much look and work like the day I first got em. Great product.

They're also capable of carry double flash assemblies for macro work.