Review: Really Right Stuff B87-B Perfect Portrait Package

ben_r_ wrote in post #12281884
The results are not really the selling point of this system. Any flash bracket can get you good results, including NO flash bracket and just hand holding a flash above your lens. But that doesnt sound too easy now does it? No, the selling point of a good flash bracket is all the criteria I listed I was looking for in my first post. This is IMO the most solid platform on the market and the most stable and secure option I could find at the time. It also satisfied and in cases exceeded my originally desired criteria for what I wanted in a flash bracket. There are many other options that can get you the same shot, but lesser systems will come at the cost of being able to consistently, securely, be minimal in size, incompatible with your existing gear. Or any number of other issues. For me, and for many others, its simply the right tool for the job and a perfect match.

I agree

I've been using mine for about 4 months and it's great.

(Michael) Gears:
5D MK III / Grip (2) | Canon 24-70L II | Canon 17-40L | Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS Mark II | 600EX-RT (2) | ST-E3-RT | PCB Einstein (2) | Pocket Wizard Plus III (4) | PCB 47" Octobox | Vagabond Mini | Kacey Beauty dish | Lee ND, GND & Big Stopper | Lastolite 24" x 24" | Gitzo 3541LS tripod | Markins Q20 w/ RRS B2 LR II | Sigma 35 Art | 85L II

7D Gripped with RRS BGE7-L Plate and WFT-E5A Linked to my iPad, 40D with RRS B40DL Plate, Canon BG-E7 Battery Grip, RRS B87-QR Portrait Perfect Packge Bracket, RRS 60mm B2 LR II, 60mm Canon Macro, 30mm 1.4 Sigma, 17-55mm Canon EF-S IS f2.8, Photoflex 650, Innovatronix 1200WS, Spider Holster w/ RRS B2 LR II, 580exII, Modified 550ex, Benro Travel Angel C-2691M8 Carbon Fiber tripod, Manfrotto 685B Neotec Monopod, Think Tank Retrospective 20

KRUSH wrote in post #12280940
Where are the photos that confirm the flash bracket works like a charm or that this is one of those "never sell" items? We need some "before & after" and "with & without" photos.

Just one sample for ya Krush!!!

SETUP (courtesy of Rick Rose Photography): 1D2N + 400 2.8L II + RRS Perfect Portraiture System w/12" extender + 580EX2 + 8" Honl Snoot

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/rickrphoto/5632​061719/

RESULT:

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/airbutchie/5630​571687/

Hi. My name is Butch...
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 GIVE a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. TEACH a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime.

ben_r_ wrote in post #12422293
Wow thats a lot of weight to be shooting handheld!

Hehehheeh... My left elbow was on the railing, which supported the whole setup... 20lbs.+ of gear on that image... OY VEY!!! But it did capture some outstanding images during the zoo excursion that day!!! So all is forgiven!!!

Hi. My name is Butch...
Complete Gear List | Flickr Vault | Instagram

Wouldn't a monopod and a ball head work for this?

airbutchie wrote in post #12423380
Hehehheeh... My left elbow was on the railing, which supported the whole setup... 20lbs.+ of gear on that image... OY VEY!!! But it did capture some outstanding images during the zoo excursion that day!!! So all is forgiven!!!

5DMkII, 40D w/ grip, lenses, flashes, more stuff.

^ It sure would... Case it point, my friend Rick (Zerimar) mounting this beast on his 1D3 when he was shooting with it...

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/airbutchie/5630​658499/

Manfrotto 680B monopod mounted with an RRS BH-55 ballhead unit... The 400L II's foot had an RRS dovetail to hold nice and secure on the mono!!!

Thanks for asking, buggz...

Hi. My name is Butch...
Complete Gear List | Flickr Vault | Instagram

7D Gripped with RRS BGE7-L Plate and WFT-E5A Linked to my iPad, 40D with RRS B40DL Plate, Canon BG-E7 Battery Grip, RRS B87-QR Portrait Perfect Packge Bracket, RRS 60mm B2 LR II, 60mm Canon Macro, 30mm 1.4 Sigma, 17-55mm Canon EF-S IS f2.8, Photoflex 650, Innovatronix 1200WS, Spider Holster w/ RRS B2 LR II, 580exII, Modified 550ex, Benro Travel Angel C-2691M8 Carbon Fiber tripod, Manfrotto 685B Neotec Monopod, Think Tank Retrospective 20

jay_jay_n wrote in post #12477762
daymit the foot on my new reciever snapped off its a clean snap so i kinda still can screw the 4 screws on but not safe to be relied on.. im trying to see if pixel is nice enough to sell the parts to fix the casing... i wish they had made the casing stronger =\

What foot on what receiver?

[Gear List | Flickr | My Reviews] /|\ Tripod Leg Protection /|\
 GIVE a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. TEACH a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime.

ben_r_ wrote in post #12477922
What foot on what receiver?

Probably one of these:
http://pixelhk.com/Pro​duct.aspx?proSortID=00

| GEAR | FEEDBACK |

7D Gripped with RRS BGE7-L Plate and WFT-E5A Linked to my iPad, 40D with RRS B40DL Plate, Canon BG-E7 Battery Grip, RRS B87-QR Portrait Perfect Packge Bracket, RRS 60mm B2 LR II, 60mm Canon Macro, 30mm 1.4 Sigma, 17-55mm Canon EF-S IS f2.8, Photoflex 650, Innovatronix 1200WS, Spider Holster w/ RRS B2 LR II, 580exII, Modified 550ex, Benro Travel Angel C-2691M8 Carbon Fiber tripod, Manfrotto 685B Neotec Monopod, Think Tank Retrospective 20

jay_jay_n wrote in post #12478122
oops kinda just realized i went off topic on this one ...i was actually talking about the cold shoe portion of the pixel tr-332 receiver that was mounted to the flash bracket, i wish there was a way to make sure the plastic cold shoe on these types of receivers could be more secure =\

How come youre using one of those instead of the Canon Off-Shoe camera cord? To trigger other flashes at the same time?

[Gear List | Flickr | My Reviews] /|\ Tripod Leg Protection /|\
 GIVE a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. TEACH a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime.

7D Gripped with RRS BGE7-L Plate and WFT-E5A Linked to my iPad, 40D with RRS B40DL Plate, Canon BG-E7 Battery Grip, RRS B87-QR Portrait Perfect Packge Bracket, RRS 60mm B2 LR II, 60mm Canon Macro, 30mm 1.4 Sigma, 17-55mm Canon EF-S IS f2.8, Photoflex 650, Innovatronix 1200WS, Spider Holster w/ RRS B2 LR II, 580exII, Modified 550ex, Benro Travel Angel C-2691M8 Carbon Fiber tripod, Manfrotto 685B Neotec Monopod, Think Tank Retrospective 20

jay_jay_n wrote in post #12478471
because i take advantage of the new quick release system on the b87-qr so i can hand hold the flash with no worries about a cable or have my assistant or somebody hold the flash above my head behind me and easily put it back on when needed =) got to love the QR..

Oh! You have the new version! Awesome!

[Gear List | Flickr | My Reviews] /|\ Tripod Leg Protection /|\
 GIVE a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. TEACH a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime.

ben_r_ wrote in post #12478881
Oh! You have the new version! Awesome!

Yeah makes things so much easier i love it... the video i posted in my previous posts show how easy it is to use the new qr on it =)

7D Gripped with RRS BGE7-L Plate and WFT-E5A Linked to my iPad, 40D with RRS B40DL Plate, Canon BG-E7 Battery Grip, RRS B87-QR Portrait Perfect Packge Bracket, RRS 60mm B2 LR II, 60mm Canon Macro, 30mm 1.4 Sigma, 17-55mm Canon EF-S IS f2.8, Photoflex 650, Innovatronix 1200WS, Spider Holster w/ RRS B2 LR II, 580exII, Modified 550ex, Benro Travel Angel C-2691M8 Carbon Fiber tripod, Manfrotto 685B Neotec Monopod, Think Tank Retrospective 20