Best Macro Flash Bracket?

I'm in the market for a flash bracket, but have no idea which one I should buy :\ any suggestions?

Links to pages would be appreciated! :]

Hi MP, it all depends on how you want your flash set up.

My one is still sat on the hot shoe with a huge softbox for diffusion. How on earth it doesn't frighten critters away I don't know. It diffuses well enough but It could be a lot better. I've been saying for a couple of years now that I need to move flash off the camera and more forward.

Anyway, I did buy a bracket and a ball head specifically for this purpose. Have yet to do anything with them but I have them.

I got a Nikon SK-7 bracket (the Nikon bit is irrelevant... it's a flash bracket )

http://www.speedgraphi​c.co.uk …flash_bracket/8​375_p.html

...and a Novoflex Neiger 19 mini ball head with flash shoe

http://www.speedgraphi​c.co.uk …th_flash_shoe/8​473_p.html


This will allow me a somewhat similar setup to this one here (See pic below). Then I just have to make a custom diffuser which I know I'll suck at immensly I think at some point, I'd like to go to twin flash such as the Canon MT-24EX. Thing is, there are loads of weird and wonderful ways of mounting your flash close to the front of the lens. As mentioned, I have a massive softbox (22x22cm eek), which although it is massive, the size of it brings the diffused light right up to the front of the lens. For me the biggest problem with it is travelling around with it. Nightmare and if you're out in the field, it looks plain daft

Have a nose through this site - http://www.speedgraphi​c.co.uk/closeup__macro​/32_0c.html

IanClark wrote in post #15975185
Hi MP, it all depends on how you want your flash set up.

My one is still sat on the hot shoe with a huge softbox for diffusion. How on earth it doesn't frighten critters away I don't know. It diffuses well enough but It could be a lot better. I've been saying for a couple of years now that I need to move flash off the camera and more forward.

Anyway, I did buy a bracket and a ball head specifically for this purpose. Have yet to do anything with them but I have them.

I got a Nikon SK-7 bracket (the Nikon bit is irrelevant... it's a flash bracket )

http://www.speedgraphi​c.co.uk …flash_bracket/8​375_p.html

...and a Novoflex Neiger 19 mini ball head with flash shoe

http://www.speedgraphi​c.co.uk …th_flash_shoe/8​473_p.html


This will allow me a somewhat similar setup to this one here (See pic below). Then I just have to make a custom diffuser which I know I'll suck at immensly I think at some point, I'd like to go to twin flash such as the Canon MT-24EX. Thing is, there are loads of weird and wonderful ways of mounting your flash close to the front of the lens. As mentioned, I have a massive softbox (22x22cm eek), which although it is massive, the size of it brings the diffused light right up to the front of the lens. For me the biggest problem with it is travelling around with it. Nightmare and if you're out in the field, it looks plain daft

Have a nose through this site - http://www.speedgraphi​c.co.uk/closeup__macro​/32_0c.html

Thanks for the info! I'll take a look

Anyone else have an opinion?

I've been trying to reduce the number of moving parts and cables in my setup. I put a Sunwayfoto L bracket on my 7D, something like this:

http://www.sunwayfoto.​com.cn/?fproduct/l2/i2​35
instead of a flash bracket, specifically because it has a screw hole in the side bit that I can screw this into:

http://www.speedgraphi​c.co.uk …ini_ball_26cm/8​438_p.html

I mount the flash on that. I had also been using a 3rd party off camera flash cord but that wasn't all that stable so yesterday I realised that my camera can remotely trigger my flash so the cord is now back in the drawer!

I think you can screw that novoflex arm straight into the bottom of the camera?

adam 91 wrote in post #16113155
I think you can screw that novoflex arm straight into the bottom of the camera?

You could well be correct but you'd then find it tricky to mount the body on a tripod/monopod should you wish to use one.

Btw, good stuff on your Flickr.

That is true, didn't think of that because I pretty much always hand hold. I haven't got my flash off camera yet and I'm considering using one of those novoflex arms.
Thanks for the comment about my Flickr, you also have some great shots!

If it's for the MPE65, then I prefer something mounted on the front and extends out as you increase the magnification. Of course the MT-24EX will allow you to do this, but a DIY bracket like this is cheap and good:

http://orionmystery.bl​ogspot.com …cro-improved-version.html

However, for other types of macro lenses with internal focus, you can use a mount ring /tripod collar:

http://orionmystery.bl​ogspot.com …2/wireless-macro-rig.html

orionmystery wrote in post #16124227
If it's for the MPE65, then I prefer something mounted on the front and extends out as you increase the magnification. Of course the MT-24EX will allow you to do this, but a DIY bracket like this is cheap and good:

http://orionmystery.bl​ogspot.com …cro-improved-version.html

However, for other types of macro lenses with internal focus, you can use a mount ring /tripod collar:

http://orionmystery.bl​ogspot.com …2/wireless-macro-rig.html

Interesting ideas

I have a magic arm bracket and it works pretty well for me with either 270ex or 430ex:
http://www.ebay.com …ain_0&hash=item​3383dbabb3

there are more options to choose from:
http://www.ebay.com …+arm&_sacat=625​&_from=R40