Using a flash bracket

I would like to get a flash bracket. Is there certain ones that work with different flashes? Also do I need to wire my flash to my camera.... and if so, how does that work?

Flash brackets all attach the the flash in pretty much the same way, namely a cold shoe mount (same as a hot shoe, but without any electrical connections. You will need a cord to connect the flash to the camera. I use a FlashZebra ETTL cord. It seems every bit as good as the more expensive Canon ETTL cord that costs much more. Put the flash in the ETTL cord shoe, mount the ETTL shoe on the flash bracket, then mount the other end of the ETTL cord on the camera's hot shoe. You can also make the connection with a PC cord if your flash and camera will accept them mounting the flash directly on the bracket, but you will have no ETTL. Here is a link to FlashZebra:

http://flashzebra.com/​products/0122/index.sh​tml

You may want to check out the Newton products:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=338933

They are very compact, lightweight, work as advertised, versatile and quite pricey. They are perfect for heavy duty use. If you are just doing occasional use, you may want to consider an inexpensive stroboframe instead.

Custom Brackets

You "may" be able to use a flash bracket without an off-camera cord "if" you are using a camera which allows wireless flash such as the 60D, 7D and some of the later Rebels. However, using the flash mounted on a bracket when shooting outdoors is a bit tricky. Your wireless sync will not always work and its capability will depend on the angle and intensity of the sun and the subject to camera distance. Using the off-camera cord is the best idea.

As for flash brackets...

I prefer a camera-flip bracket to a flash-flip bracket. While both flash-flip and camera flip brackets are designed to keep the flash directly over the lens when shooting in either the landscape or portrait position; the flash-flip version will require the reorientation of the flash unit when switched from landscape to portrait when you are BOUNCING the flash. AND I ALWAYS BOUNCE. The camera-flip bracket will not require the changing of the flash orientation.

IMAGE LINK: http://rpcrowe.smugmug​.com …H#1304495185_BD​srRmW-A-LB

IMAGE LINK: http://rpcrowe.smugmug​.com …H#1304495186_V9​9r5dH-A-LB

And please take note in the example shots by RPCrowe, that ...

• the camera grip ends up on the bottom side in Portrait orientation for some brackets, defeating the availability of the supplemental control buttons on a battery grip.
  
• And many brackets cannot accomodate well a camera with a battery grip, because of the added height of the camera+grip.
  

I went with this one. The next one is better but heavier. Both solid builds but it depends on how much you want to spend. You will need some additional brackets with these.

http://reallyrightstuf​f.com …ket-with-QR-Flash-Adapter


http://reallyrightstuf​f.com …-Perfect-Package-(Medium)

Newton, RRS, and Custom Brackets are the three on the market that are good enough for meeting the demands of professionals...with cost to fit! Lesser brackets generally sacrifice in one area or another, whereas these three meet all demands...'you get what you pay for' in action once again.

You "may" be able to use a flash bracket without an off-camera cord indoors "if" you are using a camera which allows wireless flash such as the 60D, 7D and some of the later Rebels. However, using the flash mounted on a bracket when shooting outdoors is a bit tricky. Your wireless sync will not always work and its capability will depend on the angle and intensity of the sun and the subject to camera distance. I consider using the off-camera cord is the best idea.

As for flash brackets...

I use a Stroboflash bracket and I prefer a camera-flip bracket to a flash-flip bracket. While both flash-flip and camera flip brackets are designed to keep the flash directly over the lens when shooting in either the landscape or portrait position; the flash-flip version will require the reorientation of the flash unit when switched from landscape to portrait when you are BOUNCING the flash. AND I ALWAYS BOUNCE. The camera-flip bracket will not require the changing of the flash orientation.

IMAGE LINK: http://rpcrowe.smugmug​.com …H#1304495185_BD​srRmW-A-LB

IMAGE LINK: http://rpcrowe.smugmug​.com …H#1304495186_V9​9r5dH-A-LB

IMAGE LINK: http://rpcrowe.smugmug​.com …LJM#1245211383_​X7dDz-A-LB

IMAGE LINK: http://rpcrowe.smugmug​.com …M#1281579394_Jr​kG2Ch-A-LB

RPCrowe, thanks for the demonstrations!

Yes, you will need either a wireless or corded method of attachment for your flash.

This is the bracket I have and really like the flexibility it offers, as well as ease of use.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …unior_Flash_Rot​ating.html

I notice that it went up like $30 since I purchased it.

I have an expensive flash bracket (Customer Brackets) that stays in the studio because it is so dang heavy my arm feels like it is falling off after a long night, heck after only a couple hours into a night. I've been using an inexpensive ebay one for about 3 years now and it is just fine. I liked it so much I bought a 2nd one for backup (which is still backup because the first one is still working).

Here is the one I am using:

http://cgi.ebay.com …m56439ff879#ht_​1994wt_905

thebishopp wrote in post #12497924
I have an expensive flash bracket (Customer Brackets) that stays in the studio because it is so dang heavy my arm feels like it is falling off after a long night, heck after only a couple hours into a night.

Yes, weight...the best Custom Brackets in their line weigh about 1 pound more than a Newton!

It does make a difference. The RRS bracket is only 11 ounces which is not much at first but by the end of the day.

I had the same concerns/questions when I was looking into a flash bracket and found this wonderful thread by ben_r... Needless to say, after all the research I went wit an RRS system... The investment was worth all the pennies... Here's the thread: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=544273