Flash Bracket Help

[krista]

Really dumb Q.... I'm fairly new, be kind.

I just received a flash bracket I ordered - how awkward! Does any one have any tips on using brackets so it's not such an absolute beast to carry and use? I'm picturing my arms giving out halfway through a wedding ceremony using this! (I'm a wimp!)

[sapearl]

Hi Krista.... welcome to the world of brackets and off camera flash. If you tell us what kind of bracket you purchased and how you want to configure it with the flash we can help you out better. :D And you're not a wimp - the adjustments and ergonomics aren't always intuitive.

Really dumb Q.... I'm fairly new, be kind.

I just received a flash bracket I ordered - how awkward! Does any one have any tips on using brackets so it's not such an absolute beast to carry and use? I'm picturing my arms giving out halfway through a wedding ceremony using this! (I'm a wimp!)

[krista]

Here is a picture of what I bought. http://dcam.dc-accessories.com/bracket900x.gif

I have it set up like they do - and I have the handle on the left side. I tried it on the right side first but that was extra awkward!

What I don't get is - do I hold the handle? If I hold the handle, how do I adjust the lens, hold the handle and have a hand to press the button to take the picture! Seems I need three hands.

Also, this particular model seems to rotate too easily - I tried just holding the bracket - but if I tilted it the camera shifted.

Thoughts?

[sapearl]

I like the little animation - very helpful. By the looks of it, is that a Stroboframe? Some of them are a little light weight so that may explain the looseness of the movement. Are there screws on the "swing" portion of the rig that may need some tightening?

I think you have the bracket set up properly per the picture - I don't believe the handle is supposed to be on the other side. And the way that is, a third hand would be handy for firing the shutter button. But with only two hands you will grip the rig by the handle with your left hand, remove your right hand from the camera body, focus/zoom, and then put it back on the shutter to take the picture.

You say the camera tilted - do you mean it "slid around" a little on the bottom plate? Some brackets require an anti-skid plate if that is the case, or perhaps you just need to tighten it a bit more.

And this is why there are so many bracket makers out there. Brackets are very personal, fitted, ergonomic devices. You may have seen from my earlier posts that I was all set to buy a Custom Bracket until I actually assembled one with my gear; an excellent piece of finely machined bracket, but just not comfortable for MY USE. I did settle on the Newton Camera rotator model which should arrive this week. I certainly hope I made the right decision. BTW, I see that you are across the lake from me as the crow flies :) .

Here is a picture of what I bought.

I have it set up like they do - and I have the handle on the left side. I tried it on the right side first but that was extra awkward!

What I don't get is - do I hold the handle? If I hold the handle, how do I adjust the lens, hold the handle and have a hand to press the button to take the picture! Seems I need three hands.

Also, this particular model seems to rotate too easily - I tried just holding the bracket - but if I tilted it the camera shifted.

Thoughts?

[krista]

Thank you! I've played a bit - getting a bit more comfortable. A bit.

Anyhow, your feedback is most appreciated!!

Almost neighbours, eh?

[sapearl]

Yeah, pretty close by - via Buffalo sort of ;) .

Glad to help out; been there, done that, spent more money, got out the drill, hacksaw, screw driver.... spent more money.....brackets do take some getting used to since you are playing with your camera's weight balance and center of gravity.

A good bracket can actually speed up flash photography and decrease fatigue. A bad setup will make you ache in new places, tire you out and possibly knock you off balance. Bottom line is it's just something new that you have to get used too. And that may take a few hours or a few days. Good luck and let me know if you any other questions - who knows, I may even be able to help :lol: . - Stu

Thank you! I've played a bit - getting a bit more comfortable. A bit.

Anyhow, your feedback is most appreciated!!

Almost neighbours, eh?

[Titus213]

Krista - I found that I rest the bottom of the bracket on my left forearm. That let's me put my left hand on the lens for zooming while my right hand is on the grip/shutter button. It is taking some getting used to.

[tim]

With my bracket (Pro-T) I hold the camera and ignore the bracket. Maybe different with camera rotators. I do upper body work at the gym especially to help me hold up a 70-200 F2.8 IS lens with 20D and flash.

[SuzyView]

I have the Press-T. I also hold the camera with lens and don't worry about the bracket. Your set up looks mighty heavy. If you are not comfortable with the set-up, you'll never use it. Most photographers I know who use a bracket, leave their cameras on the bracket even when storing. I won't be able to do that, but I can see that the smaller brackets are much more useful for women like me with small hands and not enough strength to hold them all day at an event. I have my Press-T with 20D, 24-70L and 580EX. That set up is heavy, but I can suffer through it because I hold the camera on the bottom with my left hand and focus with my right.

[sapearl]

You make an excellent point Suzy and a lot of casual shooters fall into this trap when they choose style and appearance over comfortable functionality.

The more comfortable your equipment is, the more likely you will want to go out and take pictures, easily and quickly. After all, your personalized rig is a creative extension of your hands.

Krista, don't be afraid to experiment by mixing straps, parts from other brackets, etc. None of my bracket & strap setups look like the original manufacturer's drawing. They've all been slightly modified over time. If I developed a wrist or elbow ache, a crimped finger or a new callous, this was an indication that something had to be changed. I will shoot for 6 - 10 hours at a stretch so small discomforts become magnified. I do stop short of using duct tape though - that's just a little TOO custom for my tastes :lol: .

I have the Press-T. I also hold the camera with lens and don't worry about the bracket. Your set up looks mighty heavy. If you are not comfortable with the set-up, you'll never use it. ........the bottom with my left hand and focus with my right.

[sapearl]

Tim, I think you and I have the same camera workout regimen ;) . I've got a small gym made by Hoist in the basement which "fortifies" my photo stamina. At 54 I need every edge I can get.

I do use a camera rotator (Newton I just got) and wanted to increase my sense of security when gripping the whole rig. Here's what I did:

I had an old wrist strap made by Zing I'd purchased eight years ago for my medium format rig. At that time I had mated that item to an old "L" shaped bracket for use with my Hasselblad. Well, I took it off that to use with my dSLR. One end of the Zing has a small nylon strap which loops through the top right side lug of the 5D. This snugs into place, and the length can be adjusted for comfort.

At the other end of the Zing is a wider 1/2" nylon strap, that does NOT have an adjustable length. I positioned that just right, under the spare tripod hole that is provided with the Newton, and then made a hole in the strap. I had a spare 1/4" x 20 knurled bolt which I pushed through that hole, added a flat and locking washer, and then screwed it firmly into the base. The result is a very comfortable foam padded security strap which keeps my right hand firmly "attached" to the body of the 5D. I can also quickly slide my hand in and out of the strip if the situation demands.

This should be a good setup for me although I've yet to put it to an extended test. But based on my prior concoctions I'm optimistic. It allows me to rest my camera arm without having to set the whole rig down. I can lower everything to the side of my body, stretching out my arm, and there will be little danger of the camera being dropped.

Gee, maybe this forum can start up a new cable show called "Pimp My Bracket" ;) .

With my bracket (Pro-T) I hold the camera and ignore the bracket. Maybe different with camera rotators. I do upper body work at the gym especially to help me hold up a 70-200 F2.8 IS lens with 20D and flash.