DIY Flash Bracket Help

[Inspired Photography]

I would like to build a flash bracket to suit my 20D. I have seen a few guys on here who have made their own which looked good, and i am handy with metal so i think i should be up to the task.

My questions are...

1. Is there an optimum position for the flash to be? (I know up and to the side, but specifically?)
2. Does anyone have any dimensions to help?
3. Does anyone have any pictures of theirs that could assist me?
4. Anyone have any tips who has already built one?
5. Does it matter if it rotates or matches the frame? There seems to be some dispute on this.

I have searched "Flash Bracket" etc, but any further info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Rob

[Scottes]

http://www.rlephoto.com/tech/flash_bracket01.htm
http://pc1-archbo.bot.unibas.ch/~pascal/cgi-bin/loadframeset.pl?photo/brackets.html+brackets.html
http://www.web-nat.com/bic/ont/tips27.html
http://www.photosafaris.com/Articles/FlashinFlutterbys.asp
http://www.nikonians.org/dcforum/DCForumID63/408.html

[robertwgross]

1. Is there an optimum position for the flash to be? (I know up and to the side, but specifically?)


That is exactly wrong.

The flash arm of the bracket should be hinged so that it can flip over. Whether in portrait (vertical) orientation, or landscape (horizontal) orientation, the flash should hang directly above the lens. How far away from the lens it is can be optional. Some of that depends on whether there is a battery grip on the body.

---Bob Gross---

[Lotto]

I made this compact bracket for my 380 EX a while back, to compensate for the flash lock of swivel. The maim bracket is 2 pieces because it could be mounted on the right side of the 20D, and the small top half helps to clear the main dial. The small swing bracket is locked down by 2 machine screws.

Like Bob said, I was trying to get flash as close as I can to the lens axis.

Here are pics of it, missing from the second picture is the off shoe cord, I had to use it on my backup cam to take these photos:)

[Inspired Photography]

Thanks very much for your info everyone, I now realise my assumptions were wrong.

I have now given up on making one and instead ordered a Stroboframe Pro-RL.

Rob