Requested: Flash bracket advice

Scott_Quier

I'm thinking about getting a flash bracket, mostly for working weddings and such. It's my opinion (for whatever that may be worth) that rotating the camera (vise the flash) is the way to go.

Research I have been able to perform has narrowed it down to just a couple of manufacturers.

• Custom Brackets
  • The first one here for about $180 (plus camera mount plate, $30)
  • And the second one here for about $170 (and the plate)
• Stroboframe
  • Pro-RL bracket (here) for about $140.

At this time, I'm seriously leaning toward the first item.

But, I would really like to read the advice other's here might have to offer. Experiences with any of these? Are there other products you might recommend? That sort of thing.

Art Scott

Scott,

I own 2 of the Stroboframe brackets and have used them for over 15 yrs...however after a local shop got a custom brqcket in .... I am leaning towards the custom for the heavier digitals / lens combos I will be using now...the customs seems to be slightly more sturdy.

What I like is the fact that the flash is always centered over the lens and (for me anyway) flipping just the camera is more natural than flipping both.....also with these brackets you can opt for the more powerful sunpak 622 sytem flashes later if you want more power at weddings....I know it helped me when I was shooting weddings in the past.

Since I was using the bogen/manfrotto 322RC2 I also got adapter plates for the quik attachement of camera to bracket...so I wasn't messing with screws when changing cameras ( i use a 2 camera set up - 1 long zoom and 1 with wide zoom).....everything just snaps together quickly.......now I am looking at getting wireless for the flash so there are no wires and I do not have to use the pop-up flash as a slave driver for the main flash.

hope this is helpful.

Scott_Quier

Art Scott wrote:

Scott,

I own 2 of the Stroboframe brackets and have used them for over 15 yrs...however after a local shop got a custom brqcket in .... I am leaning towards the custom for the heavier digitals / lens combos I will be using now...the customs seems to be slightly more sturdy.

What I like is the fact that the flash is always centered over the lens and (for me anyway) flipping just the camera is more natural than flipping both.....also with these brackets you can opt for the more powerful sunpak 622 sytem flashes later if you want more power at weddings....I know it helped me when I was shooting weddings in the past.

Since I was using the bogen/manfrotto 322RC2 I also got adapter plates for the quik attachement of camera to bracket...so I wasn't messing with screws when changing cameras ( i use a 2 camera set up - 1 long zoom and 1 with wide zoom).....everything just snaps together quickly.......now I am looking at getting wireless for the flash so there are no wires and I do not have to use the pop-up flash as a slave driver for the main flash.

hope this is helpful.

Very helpful. I appreciate the time you, obviously, took to write a nice, complete, and concise response.

Thank you.

digismile

Have you looked at this bracket system from RRS? Not cheap, but appears to have a lot of versatility.

Art Scott

digismile wrote:

Have you looked at this bracket system from RRS? Not cheap, but appears to have a lot of versatility.

That looks okay if it were always tripod mounted...but for weddings where you'll be moving around a lot, I know I would prefer either the custom Bracket or Stroboframes...their handles are the most perfect ergonomically fit I have ever found for hand holding and since I was using sunpack 622's and my large zoom most of the time, the bracket must give me the feeling of holding almost no weight and the stobos did that and so did the custom bracket I tried out.

Scott_Quier

digismile wrote:

Have you looked at this bracket system from RRS? Not cheap, but appears to have a lot of versatility.

No and that's why I started this thread. I knew there were other choices out there... Thanks

Blurmore

AH...brackets...the photo essential we love to hate.


I've used a LOT of brackets...

I think it comes down to if you want to hold the camera or hold the bracket.

Currently I am using a stroboframe quickflip knock off. Cheap and dirty but it gets the job done. I've broken the shoe mount on my off camera cord by not being careful when holding it at my side with the flash flipped, and tiliting it till the flash swung around.

I've used a Stroboframe camera flip (which I like) but it is only suitable for using a body without a verical grip. It also lacks detents to keep the camera in vertical orientation resulting in unexpected rotation. SF's higher end brackets (Denis Reggie 6x6) (Pro series) incorporate a flat foot that doubles as a tripod mount for SF's excellent springloaded and lowprofile quickrelease. The SF pro series brackets are GOOD brackets....but they are too much bracket for me.



The CB's are the bracket dujour for most wedding photogs I see. The camera flipping style QRS-EV CB looks a lot like brackets made for the Mamiya C330, they have nice feet for putting the camera down, they are modular, and have good space to mount batteries and radio slaves.

Another one to consider is a Justrite...Similar to CB which a friend of mine uses on his d200 and I was very impressed. with...http://www.justritebracket.com/4DCBE9FF-DF5C-452E-9FBC-26C1284AD2D9.html


All of these brackets involve holding a HANDLE on the left side of the bracket.


I prefer to hold the camera, not a handle. That is what I like about...and why when I get the money to buy I'm getting the really right stuff bracket. All of the above brackets are too much bracket for me, yeah feet are nice, but I don't put my camera down on the job very much and when I do it is on top or in my bag. I also like the fact that on a tripod it doesn't add a lot of height to the top of the head. Instead of mounting the beastly large bracket AND camera to the tripod and then flipping the camera over to change from horizontal to vertical. The RRS allows you to mount the camera ANYWHERE along the horizontal or vertical surface of the dovetailed L plate (You need a Arca Swiss type QR clamp).


Just a from what I've observed, totally anecdotal point of view. Most wedding photographers that like brackets with feet and handles are 1 camera, superzoom, FOC kinda photogs. People who use multiple lights, and multiple cameras tend to like smaller handleless brackets without feet.

Scott_Quier

Thanks Blurmore for the very comprehensive discussion of the pros/cons of each type/manufacturer. Lots to think about there.

USAIR

Scott check out this thread also might help

Fred

bham

I have an older bracket bought used off of someone, so not sure what brand. It is somewhat similar to the first bracket you had listed where there is a grip for the left hand and the camera flips. It works great for me. It was actually made for a medium format camera, so works well for my camera with the grip attached. It can get heavy.

The photographer I used to shoot with sold it to me. He no longer used it. He also had a flash flip bracket. I tried it, and though lighter, I preferred the camera flip.

If you know any photogs with one or the other, it probably would be helpful to try the different types out. Only then will you know which one you would prefer. I think it unlikely a local store would carry such a specialized product.