Is a Flash Bracket Really Needed?

[rob_s]

Was experimenting with portraits this weekend with my 550EX mounted directly on the 10D hot shoe, and pointed directly at the subject. Unlike what I found with the built-in flash, which is much closer to the axis of the lens, I didn't notice any red-eye, nor was the lens hood on my 16-35 zoom or 50 mm prime silhouetted on the photos.

Is this consistent with what others are finding? And if so, is a flash bracket really necessary? Could it be that the flash head is high enough already?

[rdenney]

rob_s wrote:
Was experimenting with portraits this weekend with my 550EX mounted directly on the 10D hot shoe, and pointed directly at the subject. Unlike what I found with the built-in flash, which is much closer to the axis of the lens, I didn't notice any red-eye, nor was the lens hood on my 16-35 zoom or 50 mm prime silhouetted on the photos.

Is this consistent with what others are finding? And if so, is a flash bracket really necessary? Could it be that the flash head is high enough already?

My 550 is tall enough to get above the rather large shade on my 20-35. But that isn't the only reason to use a flash bracket. The higher the light, the more three-dimensional the modeling on the subject will be, and that's why those who take pictures of people at events use brackets. I usually use medium format for that sort of thing, and have several brackets for my various flashes. They all put the flash head at least a foot above the lens, and one of 'em goes twice that high.

With the 550, I bounce the flash as often as possible. I also have a bounce kit so that the flash points straight up into a reflector. This raises the flash and also softens it, and that might be a good first step before getting a bracket. Using that reflector, I've been able to avoid having to buy the remote cord. Something even cheaper than the reflector, and easier to use, is the Sto-Fen bounce adaptor, which seems to be popular with photojournalists.

Rick "whose big Stroboframe weighs a ton" Denney

[robertwgross]

If you are using a lens that wide for portraits, then you are relatively close to the subject, perhaps much closer than normal (most will use a longer lens for portraits). If you are that close, then the simple elevation of the 550EX will get you enough separation that red eye was not a problem. I would guess that if you shoot your next portrait with a longer lens, then it will be more of a problem.

So, fundamentally, you will want to raise up your flash sooner or later. If you had somebody simply holding it a foot higher or set it on a tripod, then that will work, but then you will need (at a minimum) the correct off-camera shoe cable. But then if you go to that trouble, you might as well get a decent flash bracket anyway.

By the way, there are good ones and bad ones. Often a photographer will shift quickly from landscape to portrait format, so the orientation of the flash unit on its bracket must shift. Some brackets will allow that "flop" very quickly, and some others are much stiffer about it, but that is a personal preference thing.

---Bob Gross---

[brunz]

You really should get one. You will not get red eye with one and if you are close to a wall, it will help throw the shadow down below the persons head. I use Stroboframe brackets(about $50) and a canon off camera extension cord..can't rememmber what it is called but it costs about $50. works great.

[rob_s]

Many thanks for the replies, all of which were quite helpful.

I already have a Canon off-camera shoe cord 2, which was, to my surprise, almost as expensive as a low-end flash bracket.

Do you think that a Stroboframe Quick Flip, for example, would work well with the 10D (perhaps this is the one you were talking about)? The thought of adding still more weight with a heavier bracket is not all that attractive. The only complaint I have read regarding this bracket is that you end up with the shutter release button pointing downward when using a vertical composition, which seems unnatural to me.

Incidentally, I was experimenting with the wide zoom just to see whether its long body & large hood would get in the way of the flash; my 50mm f1.4 (which equates to 80mm given the cropping factor) is more suitable for portraits (and is sharper to boot).

[rdenney]

rob_s wrote:
Do you think that a Stroboframe Quick Flip, for example, would work well with the 10D (perhaps this is the one you were talking about)?


I would. I have used one with actually fairly large and heavy cameras, including Mamiya twin-lens reflexes for doing wedding photos. I prefer a taller bracket, but the taller ones are heavier, too. The quickflip moves the flash to the top for vertical orientation, instead of just turning the camera on the existing bracket as most of them do. Each has its usefulness, but the Quickflip is light and intuitive, and fine for starting out.

Rick "who might still add the Lumedyne bounce kit" Denney

[brunz]

That bracket would work/I use the same camera release on vertical or horizontal with the bracket. I have the auxillary battery pack grip on my camera and the bracket is very close to touching the remote camera 2 shoe in the horizontal position...about a mm or 2 clearance. You will easily get used to using the one release and forget that it was ever a problem. I think my bracket is just made for 35 mm. I think the quick flip is slightly different than mine.

[khenn]

I have seen the Stroboframe Quick Flip mentioned a number of times in this forum and others. I have been researching flash brackets for a while now, and I would agree with rob_s about the unnatural positioning of the shutter release button when using this model. I have not had any experience with flash brackets, but this does seem unnatural. If any of you have used this bracket, could you comment on this issue and also, would it be possible to reverse the camera on the bracket? This would put the handle on the same side as the shutter release, but would it be in the way?

Also does anyone have any feelings/experience with the Stroboframe Stroboflip? It only weighs 9 oz. and according to their website, it is very strong and durable. From what I have read, the Quick Flip doesn't seem sturdy enough to handle the larger flashes like the 550EX.

Any thoughts?

[justme_dc]

I have a couple for the stroboframe quick flip 35s. Don't worry Khenn, they can handle big flashes like the 550. I set mine up in reverse so that I get proper button up orientation on my cameras and it works fine. I have one bracket that I removed the padded hand grip and one that I didn't. I go back and forth over which one I favor. I guess it depends what I am shooting that day. The quickflip is a great bracket and it is dirt cheap. You cam even remove the clamp for the flash and bolt the off camera cord-2 directly to the bracket whick makes for quite a soild little piece of kit. As always...YMMV

[shutter]

I'm shooting outdoor portraits and I find that the cable release is extremely valuable. Sometimes just a little shake from my finger pressing the shutter will cause a little blur. I like to shoot with 100 ISO for less noise which depending on the time of day, cloudiness, shade, etc. limits the light. Cable release....

Shutter ;)

[khenn]

Anyone have any experience with the Stroboframe Stroboflip and a 10D or similar sized camera? How is the fit? Does it position the flash high enough?