Bracket...or NO bracket??

I've been updating my lighting setup for the past few days/weeks. I've got a ST-E2 transmitter coming (tomorrow) to go along with my existing 550EX for off camera flash. I will eventually also be getting a 580EXII and probably a Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe (soft box setup).
Anyways, now I am thinking of getting a flash bracket for my "new" setup. I've just been using the 550EX on the camera with a Stofen over the light (and bouncing, for the most part). I keep going back and forth--don't know if it's "worth it" to get a bracket to. Or, for that matter if the ST-E2 will trigger a flash on the bracket (I asked about that on a previous post and the answer was "yes").
I'm considering the Custom Bracket Q35-E2, CB Junior, or CB Digital T. Total spectrum of price and features! I like the idea of the rotating camera, but I doubt it's gonna be worth it for me to spend that much--the "cheapest" may do--OR nothing at all.
Any ideas or recommendations?

sml wrote in post #5013523
I've been updating my lighting setup for the past few days/weeks. I've got a ST-E2 transmitter coming (tomorrow) to go along with my existing 550EX for off camera flash. I will eventually also be getting a 580EXII and probably a Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe (soft box setup).
Anyways, now I am thinking of getting a flash bracket for my "new" setup. I've just been using the 550EX on the camera with a Stofen over the light (and bouncing, for the most part). I keep going back and forth--don't know if it's "worth it" to get a bracket to. Or, for that matter if the ST-E2 will trigger a flash on the bracket (I asked about that on a previous post and the answer was "yes").
I'm considering the Custom Bracket Q35-E2, CB Junior, or CB Digital T. Total spectrum of price and features! I like the idea of the rotating camera, but I doubt it's gonna be worth it for me to spend that much--the "cheapest" may do--OR nothing at all.
Any ideas or recommendations?

There's two reasons to use a bracket. The first and obvious reason is to keep the flash head directly over the lens so that you don't get side shadow. That's a "duh".

The second reason, and this is specific to the on camera wireless systems like the Canon type, although it should apply to the Nikon and Sony systems as well. The Canon wireless is based on line-of sight commands. The Slave MUST see the instructions being transmitted from the Master or it won't fire.

If I have the Master flash in the hotshoe and I'm trying to shoot a vertical, I can't set-up the Slaved flash to my right. The lens could get in the way, and would block out the instructional pulse . If I use a bracket the flash sits up high, way above the lens, and vertical/horizontal camera positions won't affect it at all. Then I can set up the slaved flash on either side of my shooting position.

By the way I'd return the ST-E2 if I could. You have a 550 already. That becomes your Master flash. Buy a 430/420 and that becomes your Slave. The 550/580 projects a much more powerful instructional beam than the ST-E2. I would have thought that a device like the ST-E2, which has just one reason to exist, and that's to trigger the flash - would be better than something that just includes that function like a 550/580, but that isn't the case. If you get the 430 you'll pay a bit more than the ST-E2 but the 430 is a FLASH (duh) and the ST-E2 isn't, so the 430 will provide some redundancy in conventinal flash photography if your 550 ever has a problem.

I recommend a bracket but I wouldn't trust that ST-E2..try and get an off camera cord.

I have the Digital T. It serves it's purpose but I'm definitely going to give the Newton flash rotator a look next time I'm in the market. The Newton is very expensive but compact enough to go in your pants pocket when folded up.

There is no substitute for keeping the flash above the lens, despite what Gary Wrong says. Flash brackets have definite value and I use one when the situation calls for it.

However, they are bulky, heavy and awkward, so if I'm doing pro-bono work for family I just keep the camera horizontal and crop the sides off later (I don't need eight friggin' megapixels to make a 4x6 print of some kid at a birthday party).

In a professional situation, a flash bracket will quickly identify you as the paid shooter. People will see it and clear a path in front of you, bowing to your superior skills and professional status. "Hey, get out of his way! He's the photographer!" A Lumiquest Promax attachment amplifies the effect. Of course, all the kids (and half the adults) will ask what newspaper you work for. Without a bracket, you'll be fighting for space with every Tom, Dick and Harry GWC in the room.

Hmmm. Thanks for all the input.
My thinking with the ST-E2 was this: There will be times where I will only want one flash...and to use it off camera. Particularly when I am using the Ezybox (or whatever box I end up with). I realized that it would be a bit redundant, but I couldn't think of a way around it. Also, I felt I'd want the 580EXII instead of the 430 because of the extra power potential, features, etc.
I get, from the responses, that the bracket is likely a good idea. I thought so, too. However, I'm wondering whether it's necessary to go with the camera rotating version (which I've heard is better) or the simpler and smaller versions that are flash flippers. In the meantime, I just called the local store and they're gonna hold one of each for me to try out within the next couple of days.
Also, I'm wondering....YEARS ago (like in the 70's!!), I had a Metz 45CT-1 which was detachable from the holder. That was GREAT! I used to hold the flash handle off the camera at various angles, etc. I haven't found any brackets on the market that do that...why?

(I'm new to this forum...but I've noticed that there's not a lot of "love" for the ST-E2. I wonder why... Seems like a neat tool to me and a reasonable price compared to the other remote triggering devices. What am I missing?)

Curtis N wrote in post #5014079
In a professional situation, a flash bracket will quickly identify you as the paid shooter. People will see it and clear a path in front of you, bowing to your superior skills and professional status. "Hey, get out of his way! He's the photographer!" A Lumiquest Promax attachment amplifies the effect. Of course, all the kids (and half the adults) will ask what newspaper you work for. Without a bracket, you'll be fighting for space with every Tom, Dick and Harry GWC in the room.

And to add it helps to have a big lens too.

I do recommend a bracket.......I have tried a large CB, but it was to bulky, too heavy and I looked like a dork shooting with it. So, I went and bought a Newton folding flash. My buddy saw it and bought one too. His other friend saw it and yeah, bought one for himself too.

Best thing with this Newton folding bracket is that, it folds - so it fits in your bag. Doesn't weigh a ton and its built much better than other brands.

Rob_P wrote in post #5014348
I do recommend a bracket.......I have tried a large CB, but it was to bulky, too heavy and I looked like a dork shooting with it. So, I went and bought a Newton folding flash. My buddy saw it and bought one too. His other friend saw it and yeah, bought one for himself too.

Best thing with this Newton folding bracket is that, it folds - so it fits in your bag. Doesn't weigh a ton and its built much better than other brands.

Which model is the one you got....and where did you get it?
Thanks.

I hate my flash bracket. hate it. will never use it again despite what the wonderful curtis says. I hate it. cumbersome. heavy. pointless. Just my little ol opinion.

Grace wrote in post #5014413
I hate my flash bracket. hate it. will never use it again despite what the wonderful curtis says. I hate it. cumbersome. heavy. pointless. Just my little ol opinion.

I hated my first bracket, had a love-hate with my 2nd, but really like my current one.

[QUOTE=sml;5014307]Als​o, I'm wondering....YEARS ago (like in the 70's!!), I had a Metz 45CT-1 which was detachable from the holder. That was GREAT! I used to hold the flash handle off the camera at various angles, etc. I haven't found any brackets on the market that do that...why?
quote]

You simply have not looked in the right places Newton Bracket has a connecting unit (very similar to the one on the Metz flat bracket) which mates directly with the Metz45 bracket socket, so you can have the 45CT/45CL series flash on top of the Newton, yet it is quickly removed by loosening the thumbscrew knob and pressing the release button on the Metz.

Wilt wrote in post #5014562
You simply have not looked in the right places Newton Bracket has a connecting unit (very similar to the one on the Metz flat bracket) which mates directly with the Metz45 bracket socket, so you can have the 45CT/45CL series flash on top of the Newton, yet it is quickly removed by loosening the thumbscrew knob and pressing the release button on the Metz.

I'm confused...doesn't that mean you have to have the Metz flash? I sold it years ago. Now I have the Canon 550 and want what the Metz bracket allowed me to do. Is that what you are saying the Newton bracket does?

sml wrote in post #5014721
I'm confused...doesn't that mean you have to have the Metz flash? I sold it years ago. Now I have the Canon 550 and want what the Metz bracket allowed me to do. Is that what you are saying the Newton bracket does?

No, the Newton Bracket is flash agnostic...you buy an attachment suited to your flash unit. There is a generic cold shoe, there is a thing for the Canon off-shoe cord, there is a thing for Metz...all easily fitted to the generic bracket via a pre-drilled hole in the bracket and an Allen head screw provided.

So I can change from my Metz 54 on the off-shoe cord to my Canon body, to my Metz 45CL when I want to use with my Bronica.

I have the Stroboframe Quick Flip which is a nice bracket for not very much money. However, it is not very user friendly on a camera with an accessory grip. I have not found one I like that is reasonably priced (for me). If you don't already have one make sure you get the off-camers shoe cord.

OK.....so this afternoon, after reading some of these posts, I called up Newton to ask questions about his brackets. This is after I had assumed I would be getting a Custom Bracket entry level one--IF at all!
Anyways, this is not what I thought the brackets would "look" like. At least, not what I was accustomed to from years ago. Seems very close to the lenses. And the flash doesn't seem too far removed from the camera. (Is it really that much "better" than mounting on the camera?) However, he told me that he has had great success with this design...and I believe him based on the reports I've read on this forum, etc.
So, I guess what I'm looking for now are more "endorsements" from people who have experience with the Newton brackets and the lower end Custom Brackets--CB Junior, or CB Digital T (I have now ruled out the QRS model as I think it's too big and not appropriate for my uses).
Or....no bracket. I was particularly intrigued by Grace's response!!