Macro Bracket

I had been playing with marco using existing lenses and extension tubes, TCs and closeup lenses. I decided I wanted to do this more...and a bit easier on myself....so....

I got a Canon 100 2.8 Macro. The 180mm was to big plus pricey and the 60mm will not work on the 5D. Good review here: http://www.the-digital-picture.com …SM-Macro-Lens-Review.aspx

I also wanted, in most/many cases to use flash....and I wanted the freedom in many cases to move around...i.e. no tripod. Handholding the flash I found difficult.

I found an example on the web where someone used the Delta Flash bracket I. This was pretty nice but I modified it to meet my needs. Pix of the result here: http://www.pbase.com/j​rschwaller/macrobracke​t with example below.

The parts are:

Macro Bracket parts:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Flip_Flash_I_Br​acket.html
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …2_Short_Flexibl​e_Arm.html
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …S25_Ball_Socket​_Shoe.html (or any other ball head...but this has a nice long “throat”)
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …299_RC2_System_​Quick.html
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ctural_Quick_Re​lease.html
220EX:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …A006_220EX_TTL_​Flash.html
Domke pouch:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …45_Belt_Pouch_B​lack_.html

See post #4 below for further modifications

You may see it...the bracket has a QR plate under it, so I can easily pop it onto my tripod, if wanted. All these pieces will fit in the pouch.

You could also use a 430ex or 580EX, but I had the 220EX, and would recommend it as it provides plenty of light at these distances and is a lot lighter.

The hood on the 100mm is for the 60mm macro. It fits and still shields and protects front of lens, but does not extend as far (working distance at 1:1 is ~6").

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Good write up jrsforums
I have been thinking of doing similar things, as the 18" Delta Flip I have doesn't hold the weight of the 580EX too well and it does get irritating on times as the Segments like to shift, also I have that same Hakuba Flash ball head and have retired it as it to is a pain in the butt, and the ball is now seriously gouged (Probably from all that weight) I went and bought 2 Giottos ball heads which seem to work better as they have shorter arms.
How ever I have been contemplating buying a set-up similar to the Wimberly (F2 I believe) Macro flash bracket , but with components made up of the RAM mounts, this set-up should suffice my needs for now, although I might just hold out and wait until I get the MT 24EX flash unit.

Samdiver74 wrote in post #3713127
Good write up jrsforums

What He said. Nice that you showed the parts links as well.
-Bruce

Based on some add'l testing....

...in the hot sun this week and today...couldn't spend too much time out or I would have sweat all over my 5D....

...I have made some further mods. I believe these will further strengthen the bracket arm, yet still allow for easy positioning....

First, I replaced the Hakaba ball head with Giotto mini head:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …H_1304_Pro_Seri​es_II.html

Next, for positive attachment of the 'Off shoe cord' to the miniball head, I added a Strobo general purpose shoe:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Shoe_General_Pu​rpose.html
The 'Off shoe cord' could be screwed to the Giotto ball head, as the shoe is threaded in the base, but I opted for a faster attachment.

Last, I removed the 'Ultrapod' which connected the Novoflex arm to the 'Delta' base. The Ultrapod did add positioning flexibility, but over (short) time it would not hold position with the lever arm it was trying to hold.

I was surprised that this setup actually made it easier to get the flash in position. The Novoflex is stiff....which you want so it will stay where you put it....but is surprisingly flexible to move into possitions you want. With the Ultrapod gone and a better minihead it was actually easier to get the novo to flex the way I wanted.

I found that the 10" Novoflex arm is plenty long with me. For those with longer lenses or who stack on multiple tubes and/or TCs, you may want to consider the 17.7" Novoflex arm, which is only slightly more than the 10".
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ible_Gooseneck_​Flash.html

I have not taken add'l pictures, but the changes should be self evident.