To Those Who Use Flash Bracket:

[SYS]

How do you use it? Do you hand hold it? Use it on monopod or tripod?

Using it with a camera grip attached can get pretty heavy and clumsy, so what's your most effective method for handling the whole thing? Ever since I got a flash bracket, I haven't used it much to be honest simply because it's so bulky, heavy, and clumsy to use...

[Titus213]

They take some getting use to, that's for sure. I hand hold mine when I use it. I shy away from longer lenses on it though. I'm shooting a 20D, no grip.

[Lotto]

I don't use the flash bracket often, but I alway take off the camera grip when using it, too much flex with the grip on. Also having a bracket that can stand up straight helps, especially when switch to using a second body, I could sit it down on the floor or table right next to me.

[cdifoto]

How do you use it? Do you hand hold it? Use it on monopod or tripod?

Using it with a camera grip attached can get pretty heavy and clumsy, so what's your most effective method for handling the whole thing? Ever since I got a flash bracket, I haven't used it much to be honest simply because it's so bulky, heavy, and clumsy to use...
Yeah. Most brackets suck like that. The good ones don't add much weight or bulk. Here's mine, minus the flash:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/gear/2007-11-13-001.jpg

and here it is, folded:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/gear/2008-01-17-019.jpg

and of course here's the whole shebang:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/gear/2008-08-05-0008sm.jpg

[bobbyz]

Lotto, how does your look in portrait mode?

OP - I use RRS wedding pro on my 1dmk2 and I can hold the whole gear by it. Only awkwayd thing fo rme is when trying to go from landscape to portrait mode and trying to orient the flash fo bounce. Maybe I should have bought the one where flash doesn't come when you rotate the camera.

[PacAce]

Lotto, how does your look in portrait mode?

OP - I use RRS wedding pro on my 1dmk2 and I can hold the whole gear by it. Only awkwayd thing fo rme is when trying to go from landscape to portrait mode and trying to orient the flash fo bounce. Maybe I should have bought the one where flash doesn't come when you rotate the camera.
Or, you could have bought the RRS B87-B bracket. You wouldn't have any problems with the flash head position for bouncing with that bracket in any camera orientation. :)

[Lotto]

Yeah, I use a camera flip type bracket, like the option to use different diffuser on it.

I do like compact size of cdi's bracket, as mine stays home most of the time because it does not fit the camera bag.

[CliveyBoy]

I had been looking at the RSS B87-B bracket since it was released, then realised that I could make something similar, and use an RSS clamp I already had.

I have an RSS L-Bracket (essential equipment!), with an aluminium strip bent to an L, and the clamp at one end. I glued neoprene sheet to the top to prevent the flash rotating. By clipping a small hole in it where it went over the 1/4in. screw hole, it makes the screw captive but easily inserted/extracted. Oh, and the neoprene acts as a buffer when the bracket is in the lighting bag, where it contacts flash heads.

The final piece is the purchase of a 50D to replace a 30D, and now I use it always in horizontal/landscape and can crop to vertical, still with good resolution.

[CliveyBoy]

The same home-made bracket can be switched to vertical, simply by clamping it to the bottom rail of the L-bracket. It is also great for hanging the flash under the camera to fill under bike-riders' helmets, etc.

[danir.photography]

How do you use it? Do you hand hold it? Use it on monopod or tripod?

Using it with a camera grip attached can get pretty heavy and clumsy, so what's your most effective method for handling the whole thing? Ever since I got a flash bracket, I haven't used it much to be honest simply because it's so bulky, heavy, and clumsy to use...
I'm using a Stroboframe Press-T and quite frankly I hardly feel it. What are you using?

[PacAce]

I had been looking at the RSS B87-B bracket since it was released, then realised that I could make something similar, and use an RSS clamp I already had.

I have an RSS L-Bracket (essential equipment!), with an aluminium strip bent to an L, and the clamp at one end. I glued neoprene sheet to the top to prevent the flash rotating. By clipping a small hole in it where it went over the 1/4in. screw hole, it makes the screw captive but easily inserted/extracted. Oh, and the neoprene acts as a buffer when the bracket is in the lighting bag, where it contacts flash heads.

The final piece is the purchase of a 50D to replace a 30D, and now I use it always in horizontal/landscape and can crop to vertical, still with good resolution.

Do you have a picture of your rig? I'm having difficulty visualizing it.

[CliveyBoy]

Do you have a picture of your rig? I'm having difficulty visualizing it.
Of course ... as soon as the upload succeeds!

[CliveyBoy]

This is so simple, it's embarrassing. I would like to replace the full-size clamp with the small RSS clamp, but that is US$80.

[_aravena]

^Haha! Nice. What do you do when shooting portraits?

Man, I want that Newton! I plan on getting the cheap ebay version first to see how I like it. I've gotten use to know flash but still.

[SYS]

I'm using a Stroboframe Press-T and quite frankly I hardly feel it. What are you using?

I got a Stroboframe RL 2000 (I think) for something like $5 off Craigslist (she also threw in a Canon off shoe cord!).

While I do understand that depending on the bracket model, it can make a huge difference in weight and convenience. Nevertheless, it IS an additional load no matter the brand and the model, and you definitely feel it with the grip full of batteries.

[CliveyBoy]

^Haha! Nice. What do you do when shooting portraits?
Either crop from landscape - it's still an 8MP file from from a 15MP shot.

Or, for a series, I mount the flash bracket on the bottom rail of the RSS L-Bracket.

[thumphrey]

I am an unashamed flash bracket slut. I've owned all the Custom Brackets. Currently I own the Digital Pro-M and the CB Junior. The Pro-M is excellent but gets heavy with a D3 or D300 with winder and flash. The CB Junior is lighter and also excellent. The cool thing about the Custom Bracket's is the neoprene grip you can carry them around with when not shooting. I have used the Pro-M with a monopod on numerous occasions. The CB-Junior and a monopod aren't compatible unless you shoot strictly in horizontal.

I own both of the RRS brackets. I bought the RRS Wedding Bracket first and it is nice and light. It takes a little getting used to with the push button flip mechanism it uses. With practice, it becomes second nature. It doesn't lend itself to a monopod, because you physically rotate the camera.

I recently acquired the RRS B91-B, and had my first event with it last night. It is an excellent bracket, keep in mind, I am already lugging a heavy camera and a SB-900. I use the Camdapter hand straps on my cameras so that adds a measure of security and commfort for long shoots. The RRS B91-B doesn't lend itself to a monopod either.

Using a bracket is full of compromises. If I could only have one bracket, I would take the Custom Bracket Pro-M. It is a heavier than the others, but the features and monopod accessability make it the winner. But I like them all a lot.