Flash Bracket?

[AE Studios]

Hi guys.

I am trying to figure out what type of flash bracket to get. I am using a 10d with a 550ex. I don't want something big and bulky to be carrying around during weddings... but i hate having the shadow falling off so much behind the subject. anytime its near a wall it shows way to much.

I saw a bracket somwhere that attached to the tripod mount for the 70-200 2.8. Anyone know where to get that? and if there is a way to use it with other lenses that don't have that mount? i'm guessing it would have to be rigged somehow.

Anyway any other suggestions for a decent flash bracket that would solve this problem would be helpful. Thanks

Eric
AE Studios

[defordphoto]

I know squat about brackets, but have been shopping for one that I will buy sometime in the future and ran across these sites:

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/
http://www.kirkphoto.com/

[Scottes]

I saw a bracket somwhere that attached to the tripod mount for the 70-200 2.8.

The tripod mount on the 70-200 is 1/4-20, same as the camera. So any bracket should be able to mount on it.

[robertwgross]

I don't think it matters so much which type of flash bracket to get as long as it isn't one of the lightweight/cheap ones. I've never seen one honest wedding photographer who uses a lightweight/cheap one. All of the good ones have some sort of flip-over capability. I find that especially important since I end up shooting 80% of wedding shots in the portrait format. Of any of the decent ones that I've seen, it does not matter whether you screw the camera body onto the bracket, or screw the lens's tripod mount onto the bracket. The only difference is where the lens sits with respect to the flash head.

For the first wedding, you will find it awkward to use. Then your left arm will get stronger. Do some exercises. By the second wedding, you should be ready.

Stroboframe, Stratos, etc. ... they are all about the same.

---Bob Gross---

[Vegas Poboy]

StroboFrame, makes a couple of decent brackets. Don't purchase the flip frame that lets you flip the flash, if your not careful you can lose the flash. here is there site http://www.tiffen.com/Header_page_Stroboframe.htm

[scottbergerphoto]

My two favorites are the Stroboframe Pro-RL and the Manfroto 3429.
Scott

[robertwgross]

Don't purchase the flip frame that lets you flip the flash, if your not careful you can lose the flash.

Do you care to explain that?

A good flash bracket should allow you to flip the flash head over pretty quickly. My partner uses a bracket that requires only a flip of the wrist to flop the head over. Mine is stiff enough to require a right hand movement. I can't imagine what would cause you to lose the flash.

---Bob Gross---

[scotgasch]

I agree with Bob....I have the stroboframe quickflip and it is the type where you flip the flash. I don't know what you mean you can "lose the flash" I have used this system for 5 years without incident.

[Malaxos1]

I also have a Stroboframe quick flip and love it...Dean

[Vegas Poboy]

Don't purchase the flip frame that lets you flip the flash, if your not careful you can lose the flash.

Do you care to explain that?

A good flash bracket should allow you to flip the flash head over pretty quickly. My partner uses a bracket that requires only a flip of the wrist to flop the head over. Mine is stiff enough to require a right hand movement. I can't imagine what would cause you to lose the flash.

---Bob Gross---

I have the Quick Flip 350 & was using my 550EX flash back in November shooting a wedding. I quickly lowered the camera by my side getting ready for another set of shots and the weight of the flash with the flip bracket snapped the base of my sync cord and the flash fell, I was lucky and did not damage the flash.
Later that week I spoke to a few other photographers and mentioned what happened and it was recommended that it is safer to use the camera flip instead of the flash flip for that type of bracket. Since then I've adjusted the tension on the bracket and decide to put the Press T on my wish list (more stable from what I hear).

That was just one of my bad experiences that I felt needed to be passed along. If it works for great I hate spending $300.00+ for another flash because of a $60.00 bracket.

[scottbergerphoto]

The Stroboframe Pro-RL flips the orientation of the camera while maintaining the relationship of the lens to the flash. It also allows you to adjust the height and angle of the flash. The Bogen/Manfroto 3429 doesn't have a quick flip but it can be set to work in many different orientations and folds up to fit easily in a bag.
Strobframe Pro-RL:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=117422&is=REG
Bogen/Manfroto 3429:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=278249&is=REG
Scott

[DaveG]

Hi guys.

I am trying to figure out what type of flash bracket to get. I am using a 10d with a 550ex. I don't want something big and bulky to be carrying around during weddings... but i hate having the shadow falling off so much behind the subject. anytime its near a wall it shows way to much.

I saw a bracket somwhere that attached to the tripod mount for the 70-200 2.8. Anyone know where to get that? and if there is a way to use it with other lenses that don't have that mount? i'm guessing it would have to be rigged somehow.

Anyway any other suggestions for a decent flash bracket that would solve this problem would be helpful. Thanks

Eric
AE Studios

I use the Strobroframe Pro-T. It's a camera flip bracket. One of the great dirty little secrets of the bracket world is how heavy these things are, but this one is OK for weight. DO NOT try to save some money by buying the smaller Press-T. With the BG-ED3 vertical grip on the 10D you won't be able to get the flash head over the lens for a shadowless vertical shot.

I use the bracket along with my 70-200 f2.8. The lens is on a monopod while the bracket is attached to the camera as per usual. I was shooting a bank manager's meeting back in the fall and I wanted to try this. I honestly thought that it would be OK in theory but such a pain in the ass that I'd never do it again. But it works great.

I have the 550 in the bracket and a 420 flash set up to one side so I can use the wireless TTL. The camera, bracket and lens are supported by the monopod. I can flip (carefully) the flash as I rotate the lens from horizontal to vertical. If I need to change lenses I'll go to a corner and remove the lens from the camera. The monopod is part of the lens at this point, while the camera still has the bracket and flash attached so as soon as I can attach a different lens I'm ready to do more shots.

[jkelley]

I just got a Customs Brackets QRS-35-H for Christmas and am VERY happy with it. I have a 10D and 550EX. I can't say enough good things about it. It is very solid and has a nice rotation feature to very quickly change from landscape to portrait. It's somewhat pricey, but imo, it's worth the money.

If you want to hear more about it, post with questions and I'll try to answer them.

[Barrie B]

Greetings , Yes one does need a bracket to place the flash higher above the lens so that shadows fall lower behind the heads. It also helps if you stand people further out from the wall.
Finally, if you use BOUNCE lighting the shadows are softer; look up ' Gary Fong' on the web , he has a great diffuser that clips over all EOS flashes.Cheers .