Flash Bracket recommendations?

[syco]

Hi I have a 40D with battery pack and a 580EX II.

What flash bracket would you recommend for wedding use. Preferably stable, lightweight and under $100.


(I like the Newtons but I can't afford that, I've just dropped $5G on the camera and lenses!!)

[DC Fan]

Used a $50 Stroboframe Quick Flip 350 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/52728-REG/Stroboframe_310_635_Quick_Flip_350_Bracket.html) with six cameras over four years and haven't come close to wearing the bracket out.

[syco]

Thanks for the reply. Do you have a battery grip? According to the write up for that one

"The Quick Flip 350 accepts all 35mm cameras except those with large, accessory battery packs or motor drives.)"

I'd already ruled the 350 out because of this. Is the write up wrong?

[Golferdude1977]

I used the Stroboframe Camera Flip bracket but thought it was too flimsy with the 580 on it. Plus it was a pain to rotate the camera. I now use a CustomBracket Pro-M and love it. Yes it was alot more expensive but it was worth it to me. What ever you get, I would get a camera that rotates and not the flash. I have a friend that went the flash rotation bracket and broke alot of hotshoe adapters on the off-shoe cord. If your going to use it alot, spend the money.

[Mark_48]

Custom Bracket ProM here. I got mine on ebay from this seller

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-BEST-OFFERS-Digital-ProM-Kits-Custom-Brackets_W0QQitemZ250253192592QQihZ015QQcategoryZ6 4354QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I think I had made an offer of $205 and it was accepted. I think there had been a design change in the current models and these offered on ebay are a previous design.
If you're serious about weddings this bracket has worked well for me.
I had used a Stroboframe Folding Flip Flash Bracket and I had to modify it a bit to tighten up loose joints. It would flip around when I didn't want it to.

Check his feedback. It shows what others have offered.

[Shooting]

I use the stroboframe camera rotator and love it..not too flimsy or anything for me.

[Moonjo]

Check out the review here on POTN.

[DC Fan]

Thanks for the reply. Do you have a battery grip? According to the write up for that one

"The Quick Flip 350 accepts all 35mm cameras except those with large, accessory battery packs or motor drives.)"

I'd already ruled the 350 out because of this. Is the write up wrong?

The Quick Flip 350 will easily handle a 40d with a battery grip. There's plenty of room for the body and grip to fit. The grip slightly elevates the lens, which requires a slight adjustment to make sure the flash is in the correct position when the bracket is rotated from portrait mode to landscape mode.

I used the bracket to take around 4,000 pictures at two events in two states last weekend with no trouble, with an XTi and an old 380ex flash mounted to the bracket. It even survived several trips in a bag that was stuffed into airliner overhead compartments. :)

[syco]

Thanks for the advice. I think the 350 will work for me for now... until I can serious :rolleyes:


If you're serious about weddings


How is it serious seems to always equal spending money, often on things that don't really need to be top of the line? I've worked for a studio that ranks as one of the best in town, their brackets are not fancy at all.

I took the old fashioned route of spending my money on the best lenses I could afford. How does that reflect on my seriousness? Maybe I should have got the best bracket I could afford, and less quality lenses? After busting my budget I still have more things to get. I would rather upgrade a cheaper item and enjoy the quality where it really counts.

I know, I know as serious as a clown car.

[tim]

I have a bracket but haven't used it in about two years, that's also an option for people with enough experience. Beginners (i'm not suggesting you're a beginner) would probably benefit more, it helps reduce some problems that I don't really get any more beacuse I use different techniques.

[Magic_Puzzle]

Before trying anything else check out the Really Right Stuff Wedding bracket. I have the same set-up (40D w/battery grip) and use it with my RRS "L" bracket. The flash bracket fold completely up to about 2" x 2" x 10" so it easily fits into any bag until it is needed.

[QX56]

I used "just rite" flash bracket , take a look at this thread : http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=500519

[syco]

Thanks for the replies.
Really Right Stuff Wedding bracket is a little pricey for me right now at $150 and by the time you've factored in the plate too at $160.00 per L-plate, waay pricey!

The Just Rite looks great in the youtube video, But it $345.

Maybe I should type slower
b u d g e t - s m a l l


:)

[cdifoto]

Good brackets cost. It doesn't take long to figure out why a cheap bracket is just that. Trust me, I know. I'm on my third and final bracket. It'll be replaced if - and only if - it breaks, which isn't likely.

[titan307]

if you dont use a bracket often, would you rather have $75 sitting in your bag or $200. I have used and abused this bracket and its still holding up great. http://alzodigital.com/online_store/flip_flash_bracket_digital_camera.htm

[cdifoto]

If you don't use your bracket often, chances are it was a poor choice of bracket. I use mine on just about every paid shoot because it was a good choice. Adds virtually no weight (in the whole scheme of things) and isn't cumbersome.

Having said that, the price is a bit irrelevant. I have a $1600 lens in my bag that I don't use often, but that doesn't mean I'd rather it be a $200 lens. That's not to say I don't wish it cost only 200 dollars. :D

[titan307]

i know what you mean about the price difference, but it hurts thinking about $1600 just sitting there compared to $200 or in this case $200 over $75. I use my bracket all the time, seldom if ever comes off camera. I was just giving another option for the OP. Its just a quirk of mine that when people ask for recommendations, a lot of replies only refer to the most expensive items out there not even referencing the lower cost items for people either just starting or arent exactly sure as in this case the "bracket" is something they would really like.

Your comparison of $1600 to $200 is why i sold my Canon 70-200 2.8 IS and bought the Tamron 70-200. i hated having it just laying in the bag knowing how much i paid. Even with the tammy being $700 it hurts just not as bad.

[cdifoto]

OP wants one for wedding photography...the first gig will pay for it easily.

I rarely use my 70-200 f/2.8L IS but when the times I do justify having it. Nothing else will work (as well or in some cases at all) in those scenarios.

Instead of dropping 5 grand on cameras and lenses, he should have dropped $4700 and left $300 for a good bracket and the necessary accessories.

Otherwise, just go without one. They aren't really a necessary item if you have a clue. I use one just to make bouncing more convenient (the head stays in the same direction for both horizontal and vertical without moving it).

[titan307]

i agree. the bracket isnt a neccessity more of a luxury. i really like that luxury though. not only does it keep the flash on top, it is also makes holding the camera easier when you are not using it.

[syco]

Instead of dropping 5 grand on cameras and lenses, he should have dropped $4700 and left $300 for a good bracket and the necessary accessories.


yea, I shouldn't have bought all those somewhat useless filters and flash units. :/

So you think I should have bought lower quality lenses and forked out on a better bracket? Seriously that's your advice?

[cdifoto]

Well no. Not lower quality lenses. If you really want a flash bracket, you could have gone with a 30D (they're still available brand new) instead of a 40D. Hopefully you bought two camera bodies, so if you have two 40Ds, you could have bought two 30Ds instead and saved even more to go into a bracket.

Or just suck it up and buy a quality bracket. After spending 5 grand, $200 should feel like nothin'.

Of course I don't know what your entire kit consists of (what exactly did you spend that 5K on?) so there are probably other things you could have foregone.

Not that it matters. Just buy a bracket after your first wedding with some of the money you receive from it.

[jpwone]

Try

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Flash-Bracket-arm-for-Canon-580EX-II-430EX-Nikon-SB800_W0QQitemZ160245704636QQihZ006QQcategoryZ4851 5QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262

I recently ordered one and have been very impressed by the price, quality and speed of delivery. I have not tried it on a 1D yet but if fits the 20d/30d/5d (without grip) very well. It is a simple bracket but is very well built and at the price I really did not expect it to be very good. No sharp edges, quality materials and smooth rotation action. For the price you might as well give it a go.

Edit: Just tried it on a 1DIIN and simple adjustment (two screws) and fits and works perfectly. Tested with 24-105 fitted. In portrait orientation the bottom bracket does interfere with the grip but it is liveable with.

[tdodd]

Try

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Flash-Bracket-arm-for-Canon-580EX-II-430EX-Nikon-SB800_W0QQitemZ160245704636QQihZ006QQcategoryZ4851 5QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262

I recently ordered one and have been very impressed by the price, quality and speed of delivery. I have not tried it on a 1D yet but if fits the 20d/30d/5d (without grip) very well. It is a simple bracket but is very well built and at the price I really did not expect it to be very good. No sharp edges, quality materials and smooth rotation action. For the price you might as well give it a go.

Edit: Just tried it on a 1DIIN and simple adjustment (two screws) and fits and works perfectly. Tested with 24-105 fitted. In portrait orientation the bottom bracket does interfere with the grip but it is liveable with.

I ordered one of those myself, just yesterday, from Roxsen. Last week I ordered the Stroboframe Camera Flip and it works perfectly well but is a bit big and bulky so something more compact will be good as well. Since I have two bodies and two 580EXs I don't mind having two brackets as well :)

Here's the one I bought last week. I have found cheaper prices since :(....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Flash-Bracket-Stroboframe-Camera-Flip-for-SC-29-Cord3_W0QQitemZ120253148615QQihZ002QQcategoryZ6435 4QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Cheaper one....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Flash-Bracket-Quickflip-900-For-Nikon_W0QQitemZ200228126322QQihZ010QQcategoryZ1521 5QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Here it is in action....

http://lh3.ggpht.com/EezyTiger/SEUEBzT2Y1I/AAAAAAAAmI0/IVWPYk0MIBI/s400/20080603_092520_02926_LR.jpg http://lh5.ggpht.com/EezyTiger/SEUECTT2Y3I/AAAAAAAAmJE/hUm8nSNFJFc/s400/20080603_092554_02928_LR.jpg http://lh4.ggpht.com/EezyTiger/SEUECDT2Y2I/AAAAAAAAmI8/BFOzGBFty0Y/s400/20080603_092555_02927_LR.jpg

[syco]

Even after $5k $200 still feels like $200. It's easy to lose sight of the numbers but it's real money and I still have to pay for everything.

I clear about $500 from a wedding after all costs are paid so yes that would pay for the bracket but I still have to do a few weddings to pay for the rest of the stuff first.

I've bought the 350 (thanks DC Fan) and will still get min $20 bucks if I sell it and upgrade so for $30 it'll do just right for now. Then next year I can get a better bracket and still have a reasonable one to use in the meantime.

My main purchases were a 40D with grip and flashcord, 24-70 f/2.8, 70-300 f/2.8 IS, 580EXII, 430EX (<- budgeting where I can), flash stands, portable umbrella and the basics in filters. (ND, NDG, Polarizer). I already have an XT as a back up body.

I also do sport photography and the burst speed of the 40D is great. Live view saves the need for an angle viewfinder too. 3 custom user modes so you can pre set the camera for changing conditions, like walking out the church door into sunlight, makes life easier and faster, interchangeable focusing screens. I could go on. Just having the ISO in the viewfinder might save me from a one time mistake and is a great addition to the 40D over the 30D. The multitude of other improvements far out weight the difference between a nice bracket and an 'OK for now' bracket. Especially when you consider a bracket isn't entirely necessary.

Thanks again all for your advice. I have a great thread to revisit, next year :)

[dragulaz]

I use the alzodigital as well. It's the only flash bracket that i've ever owned, so I can't really compare. But it has held up well, is relatively inexpensive, and meets my needs.

[syco]

Used a $50 Stroboframe Quick Flip 350 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/52728-REG/Stroboframe_310_635_Quick_Flip_350_Bracket.html) with six cameras over four years and haven't come close to wearing the bracket out.

On the strength of DC Fans recommendation I went ahead with the 350. (Thanks again for the info)

It does indeed easily hold the 40d with battery grip and the weight is nothing. The filp has enough resistance to not flop and the grip is reasonably comfortable. Definitely worth $50.

There's no anti twist plates though so l'll need to find one or fabricate something. If anyone know where I can get one I'd appreciate it.

Thanks again for all the advice.