Please your opinion on flash brackets

[tlamb]

I need a new flash bracket that easily adjusts for landscape/vertical that is light and sturdy. I have a stroboframe folding flip but I don't but I just don't like the mechanics, it's a bit flimsy on the vertical and I don't like flipping the flash. What do you folks use and recommend and why. Thanks in advance for your input.

[tlamb]

By the way, I am currently using my friends Stroboframe RL and I don't like it either. When you remove it from your tripod the grip twists your wrist when you shoot and after a couple of hundred shots I need wrist therapy.

[tim]

There are lots of threads about flash brackets in the lighting forum. Here's a couple

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=214657
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=338933

Personally I gave a up flash brackets as they're too unwieldy, I have a Pro-T but I don't like it. I'd rather shoot ISO1600 ambient than ISO400 flash, unless I have a good reason otherwise.

[tlamb]

thanks

[liza]

I don't use a bracket. I tried it once and was suicidal after about 15 minutes. :lol:

[mmahoney]

What do you folks use and recommend and why. Thanks in advance for your input.

I use the Stroboframe Camera Flip model mostly because it's simple, sturdy, and light. Plus the flash stays in the same position all the time.

But all flash brackets are a pain-in-the-butt .. the better light they offer can easily be outweighed by the constant fiddling & fooling with them.
Mike

[tlamb]

Turned left into lighting forum.... thanks

[TheSteveMadden]

I don't use a bracket either, as I don't care for the look of on-camera direct flash - even when centered over the lens. If at all possible, I bounce off of whatever I can behind and am usually at ISO800-1600, depending on how big and dark the reception hall is. In small rooms I'll venture down into the 400 range, but that's a luxury.

(Now this'll get moved to the Lighting forum for sure...)

Here is an example at ISO 1600, bounced over my left shoulder off the far wall and whatever the ceiling would reflect. The room, built in the 20s, had stucco walls and vaulted wood ceilings. Beautiful place for a reception, but a nightmare to shoot in.

(...or maybe not)

[sapearl]

Very nice look Steve - great, soft highlight detail rentention, and a wonderful expression. I'd say you caught her very well. - Stu

[daclozer]

I use the stroboframe rb4 model. Brackets are a pain in the butt, but I am used to them now and like the results I get with using it.

[JMHPhotography]

Steve that's a beautiful image. Could be magazine worthy.

[sapearl]

Some actually are fairly well designed, lightweight and easy to use. I ran an earlier thread about the Newton Bracket, complete with demo photos:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=338933

I've used several of the Stroboframe models over the years, but the Newton is lighter, more durable and far more compact.

I use the Stroboframe Camera Flip model mostly because it's simple, sturdy, and light. Plus the flash stays in the same position all the time.

But all flash brackets are a pain-in-the-butt .. the better light they offer can easily be outweighed by the constant fiddling & fooling with them.
Mike

[TheSteveMadden]

Thanks, Stu. This was right after the garter extraction - almost missed the garter toss taking this shot. That's what she was watching develop. (I should know better)

Anyway... some technical points I was hoping to illustrate:

1. Direct flash would have most likely blown out the skirt due to flash falloff and obscured much of the detail on the bodice.
2. The delicate cheek and clavicle bone structure would not have been modelled as softly, if at all, with direct flash.

I love "foofing", as DR likes to call it. Don't care for the term - but love the technique.

[MrsOpie]

my camera is heavy enough I don't need to add a flash braket to make things worse.

[Padawan Dad]

Although I do use a bracket, when I do it is very rare. Like Steve, I loathe direct flash and love to bounce whenever I can. I have no problems shooting 1600 ISO, high apertures, and slow shutter speeds to avoid over use of flash. But I use a Newton camera flip bracket, which is the lightest bracket that I have ever held, and it works beautifully. I actually have the same one that Stu has. He posted a link above that will lead you to pics, and some good info.

[louiep83]

30D + 580EX + 70-200 F2.8 IS + StroboFrame = Very heavy
I could rather use high ISO preferred or GaryFong if unavoidable.

[sblais]

I have both a Stroboframe Pro-RL and Camera-Flip. The camera-flip now stays at home now that I gripped my cameras (a while back) as it is too small to accommodate a grip, and the Pro-RL is getting less and less used (inconvenient). I just try to exploit the ambient light and just bounce my flash if absolutely necessary.

[Photonerd]

Don't like them and I don't use them.

Bought a Stroboframe Pro-T a while back and only used it for one wedding and then never again.

They are difficult store in my "gig bag", awkward to handle and I don't like the extra weight.

I think that the continuous improvements in dslr and flash technology make brackets less and less valuable.

[mmahoney]

Some actually are fairly well designed, lightweight and easy to use.

Yes .. for example the Stroboframe Camera-Flip has a good design, and is lightweight & simple to use.

But I find that no matter how well designed they are they still add another layer onto my camera which slows things down.

[sapearl]

But not if you are shoe mounted and rotate your camera (and the flash) 90 degrees to the side which will throw shadows to the opposite side of the subject

.....I think that the continuous improvements in dslr and flash technology make brackets less and less valuable.

[MarkAnthonyPhotography]

I never like the frames, I bought a Fong "diaphragm" as my wife likes to call it, and I usually bounce off a wall or ceiling, "Usually" get great light.;)

[TheSteveMadden]

I never like the frames, I bought a Fong "diaphragm" as my wife likes to call it, and I usually bounce off a wall or ceiling, "Usually" get great light.;)

LOL

I've heard it called many things, but that's a new one.

[LightUser]

Stroboframe flip flash for processionals. Otherwise the demb big flip it..Had the Fong lightsphere II but light loss was rediculous..spreading light to the rear when I don't need it, sold it today. If dark wood are the surroundings then I use the bracket, no use trying to bounce brown light.