What Camera Bracket do you use?

[TTGator]

I'm looking to invest in a camera bracket and wanted to see if some of the wedding photogs on here could chime in on what they currently use, and what they have used in the past. Or even what they wish they had done the first time and why. Oh, and I will be using it for a wedding coming up in two weeks, so I need to get it ordered pronto!

Thanks for you help!

[John E]

I use the Custom Brackets "Pro-M" and love it. It's made very well. It's also very costly, well over $400 with all the attachments, but worth it. I got lucky and found one on Ebay for $200.

[elysium]

I'm looking to invest in a camera bracket and wanted to see if some of the wedding photogs on here could chime in on what they currently use, and what they have used in the past. Or even what they wish they had done the first time and why. Oh, and I will be using it for a wedding coming up in two weeks, so I need to get it ordered pronto!

Thanks for you help!

Ordered mine on eBay with about 5 days to deliver. Review below.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=486113

Prob not as solidly built as a pro targeted system but it works.

[AMeyer]

I have a Stroboframe flip bracket - it's smaller size is easy for me to handle.

[SuzyView]

I have the Press-T and just got the quick release plate. It's wonderful now. There are many out there, just decide the weight and the way you want to hold the camera or bracket. That should help you figure it all out. If I were you, I'd go to the B&H site and look around. Plan on spending about $200-$300 for a good one.

[TTGator]

I use the Custom Brackets "Pro-M" and love it. It's made very well. It's also very costly, well over $400 with all the attachments, but worth it. I got lucky and found one on Ebay for $200.

A friend of mine also got one of the Custom Brackets. He likes it, but his only complaint is its really heavy. He suggested I look at Newton Brackets. Their website makes me think low budget though... and can't really tell what the products look like or how they work very well from it.

So keep the suggestions coming. I don't mind spending $400 if I get a great bracket, but the lighter the better of course.

[samnz]

Whilst cleaning out my office today I came across my old Stroboframe. Used it once and have never bothered again. I didn't even wipe the dust off - just put it back in the box.

I either use the Jo Demb flash bouncy thingy or the catchlight card on the 580EXs.

[LuisE]

Newton Bracket FR100.

[Alexajlex]

Custom Bracket CB.

Just got it today.

Was really one of the only ones that was at the shop that could clear the gripped 10D.

I'll be teaming this up with abetterbounce card and my 580EXII

[kennykodak]

Custom Bracket Pro E. light weight, good center of gravity, great swivel and about
$230. added their Bogen adapter for a joy stick head to mine. rather than a single
1/4-20 it has two machine screws to hold it firmly in place, no slipage.

[kennykodak]

i also added an anti-twist adapter for the Canon OC cord. i use a Metz AF-1C with a 5D with battery grip for weddings. the Metz syncs (E-TTL) with a 580EX II mounted on a rolling light stand. Fong's light sphere is on off camera flash.

[rklepper]

Newton Di400CR. Excellent bracket.

[canonphotog]

QRS-35-H and QRS-35-EV.

[jrsforums]

There are lots of posts recommending the Newton Brackets. I suggest you do a search.

The Newton's are truly high quality brackets. Quite light weight and fit nicely around the camera.

When making my initial decision, I tried the Strobos and the Newtons. The decision was quick....the manufacturing detail, regidity, and expectation of a lifetime of use between them were no comparison. That is not to say that many are not happy with the Strobos. Deciding on a bracket is, and should be, a personal choice.....you should try them and make the decision for yourself. Most of the major stores (B&H) and the direct mfg. will allow some level of tryout....do it....only takes a little shipping cost and some hort turn drain on you credit line.

I have both the flash rotator (D100FR2) and a camera rotator (D100CR). Both work excellently. I use them for different "jobs" and what else I am carrying & where.

I adapted both to work with the RC2 QRs (some old pix here http://www.pbase.com/jrschwaller/newtonbracket ). I have just changed to the A-S QRs and modified them to work with RRS lever clamps....will try to all some revise pix tomorrow.

Let me know if you have any add'l questions. I believe they are the finest brackets....and Robert Newton provides great service....plus just a nice guy to talk with periodically.

John

[Shooting]

Just got my stroboframe camera flip...love it, my flash flip is going out of the house..using the demb flip it on it makes it perfect.

[Dermit]

Custom Bracket Pro M here as well. Love it. It's not the lightest, but it is very sturdy and very well made. I previously owned a stroboframe and am loving the CB much more.

[Wilt]

Newton FR version

[sapearl]

Newton makes a fantastic bunch of brackets. Wilt prefers the flash rotator model, I use the camera rotator model - Newton Di100CR . Both are excellent, very compact, lighter and less bulky than the Custom. See pictures here:

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

[_aravena]

Ordered mine on eBay with about 5 days to deliver. Review below.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=486113

Prob not as solidly built as a pro targeted system but it works.

That's what I plan on getting before a Newton. Looks nice and I figured it'll allow me to get accustom to the Newton which is a similar design. Glad to see a review and that people are pleased with it. I can't wait!

Well, the stroboframe version.

[sapearl]

Well, I know it does appear to be similar in design to the Newton, but the mechanical function of the Newton is really different. They're really two different devices. But there's certainly nothing wrong with buying that model first.

That's what I plan on getting before a Newton. Looks nice and I figured it'll allow me to get accustom to the Newton which is a similar design. Glad to see a review and that people are pleased with it. I can't wait!

Well, the stroboframe version.

[jrsforums]

Well, I know it does appear to be similar in design to the Newton, but the mechanical function of the Newton is really different. They're really two different devices. But there's certainly nothing wrong with buying that model first.

Stu...absolutely agree with you...

That's what I plan on getting before a Newton. Looks nice and I figured it'll allow me to get accustom to the Newton which is a similar design. Glad to see a review and that people are pleased with it. I can't wait!

Well, the stroboframe version.

_aravena....If your credit card can handle it, I would suggest ordering the strobo and the Newton FR2 (with flash mount). Try 'em out side-by-side and return the one you don't want to keep. I think it will be an easy decision....it was for me....Newton.

[_aravena]

I know I want the Newton, but I don't use credit cards and I'm not sure how often the frame will get use right now.

[sml]

Custom Bracket CB Junior. Very happy with it.

[Kruzkal]

I have been looking at the same problem for a while. Just won a stroboflip off eBay from the US because they are twice the price in the UK even after postage. Comparing a lot of designs this was the most compact one I can find. I need it to be compact as I do a lot of work in busy bars and clubs. And the RRS bracket which I do think is a better design is just too expensive.

[TTGator]

Has anyone used a CB AND a Newton that can give an opinion as to which they liked better?

[sapearl]

I have not used both, but I have held both. They are both very well made. The Custom is actually manufactured a couple of miles from where I live.

For my hands, the Custom is a large and heavier bracket, requiring a concerted 2-handed grip. But a lot of people like it a lot for those reasons. You can't easily collapse and fold it into your camera bag/case though like you can with the Newton.

Has anyone used a CB AND a Newton that can give an opinion as to which they liked better?

[Az2Africa]

I have the Custom Bracket QRS-35 EV rotator model. I consider it really only for use on a tripod.

[sml]

I very seriously considered getting the Newton...spoke with him on the phone and was "so close" to getting it.
However, at the last moment, I opted for the CB Junior because I felt the ST-E2 had a better chance of working with it (rational or irrational!) and I liked the fact that I could move the flash more off center with the CB Junior (again, rational or irrational!!). They both seemed workable to me.
Ended up with the CB Junior and I've been happy with the results. It is a bit of a funky shape, though, for travel.

[jrsforums]

I very seriously considered getting the Newton...spoke with him on the phone and was "so close" to getting it.
However, at the last moment, I opted for the CB Junior because I felt the ST-E2 had a better chance of working with it (rational or irrational!) and I liked the fact that I could move the flash more off center with the CB Junior (again, rational or irrational!!). They both seemed workable to me.
Ended up with the CB Junior and I've been happy with the results. It is a bit of a funky shape, though, for travel.

Ahhh....the beauty of "free choice". Hope you enjoy the CB Jr as much as I enjoy my Newtons.

One thing that eludes me.....why would you need a bracket for an ST-E2?

[sml]

One thing that eludes me.....why would you need a bracket for an ST-E2?

Good question!
It's not that I need a bracket for the ST-E2. It's more that I use that remote for off camera flash and don't have (or want) to use the connecting cord when I want to trigger the flash when I have it on the bracket.

[jrsforums]

Good question!
It's not that I need a bracket for the ST-E2. It's more that I use that remote for off camera flash and don't have (or want) to use the connecting cord when I want to trigger the flash when I have it on the bracket.


Oh.....OK....????....interesting, different....ahhh..."concept"

I will be interested in the "Was it good for you?" report, after you have used it for a few months. LOL

[TTGator]

Thanks for you discussion and links guys! After much deliberation, I went ahead and ordered the Newton FR. I called them up to order the CR model, but realized that the real advantage for getting the CR is:

* the ability to mount it to a tripod and be able to switch between landscape and portrait by just rotating the camera. (With the FR model, you need to rotate the head of the tripod, and then rotate your flash back on top)

Since I will be using this almost entirely handheld at weddings, it became obvious to me the FR was the way to go.

Advantages of the FR would be:
* lighter weight (8oz compared to 12.5/13.8oz for the CR, and the Custom Bracket Pro-E is 17oz)
* the ability to fold it completely flat (not really a deciding factor, but hey, someone may need it)
* the option to use it with or without the vertical grip on my camera (CR has one version for a vertical grip, and one version for not using a grip, so you have to decide before you buy and cannot change your mind)
* and it's $100 cheaper

Now if someone would have just explained all of this to me at the beginning, you could have saved poor Mr. Newton some time ;) (Or if his terribly constructed website were better)

[sml]

Oh.....OK....????....interesting, different....ahhh..."concept"

Hmmm. Not quite sure why you think this is "different." Actually, the guy at Newton told me that others do the same thing...and some of the info online from Custom Brackets indicate which brackets work best (or, rather, don't work!) with remote triggering devices (some of the brackets can block the signal).
I actually like that I don't have any cords or lines running from the camera to the flash while it's on the bracket...
Anyways, so far so good. Everything seems to be "clicking."

[Wilt]

Thanks for you discussion and links guys! After much deliberation, I went ahead and ordered the Newton FR. I called them up to order the CR model, but realized that the real advantage for getting the CR is:

* the ability to mount it to a tripod and be able to switch between landscape and portrait by just rotating the camera. (With the FR model, you need to rotate the head of the tripod, and then rotate your flash back on top)

Since I will be using this almost entirely handheld at weddings, it became obvious to me the FR was the way to go.


And using the Newton FR even on a tripod is not all that difficult...Grab the flash with left hand, release the ballhead with the right hand, grab the camera grip and rotate the camera and ballhead over while keeping the flash upward, retighten the ball head.

[TTGator]

And using the Newton FR even on a tripod is not all that difficult...Grab the flash with left hand, release the ballhead with the right hand, grab the camera grip and rotate the camera and ballhead over while keeping the flash upward, retighten the ball head.

Right. I'm sure if you had to switch back and forth using a tripod frequently you wouldn't want this setup, but for me (and Wilt) it will work just fine.

Also, anyone know the best place to buy the cord I will now need? Or should I say, is there a better place than B&H?

[jrsforums]

Right. I'm sure if you had to switch back and forth using a tripod frequently you wouldn't want this setup, but for me (and Wilt) it will work just fine.

Also, anyone know the best place to buy the cord I will now need? Or should I say, is there a better place than B&H?

IMO, B&H is "best", however, they are just starting a ~10 day holiday. Pretty buch anyplace will do...Adorama, Calumet, etc. Just look for "Canon OC-E3"

Actually, if you ever switch to A-S QRs and use an L-plate, the tripod difference between the Newton FR and CR kinda disappears. I just did this with RRS lever clamps.

Quick, poor images, but they will give you an idea of Robert Newton's great modification work.

First is FR...
http://www.pbase.com/jrschwaller/image/95740685/original.jpg
A-S plate for tripod attach is under lever clamp

And the CR....
http://www.pbase.com/jrschwaller/image/95740681/original.jpg

Here is side view of CR, showing plate at base...
http://www.pbase.com/jrschwaller/image/95740683/original.jpg