Dot Line RPS Flash Bracket...

I hope this is in the right forum and if not, I am sorry.

...does anyone have one or used one that they can comment on?

Anyway, trying to figure out what flash bracket I want to pair with the Better Beamer that I am getting for my 100-400 and I have stumbled upon the

DOT LINE RPS Flash bracket http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ash_Bracket.htm​l#features
(From B&H it goes for about $140 shipped to me but is only $115 shipped from TriState)

There are a few things that intrigue me about the DOT LINE RPS.
1. Can switch from right to left side.
2. Includes a remote shutter switch that can be pressed from the grip.
3. Includes the Off Camera TTL Cord

I was looking at a couple of stroboframes but the DOT LINE looks to be very nice especially for the price considering it includes a cord. It looks to be a bit heavier at 2lbs...

My questions are:

1. Have you used one? If so what did you like and dislike about it?

2. Can it be used with a grip? (I dont have one and dont plan on getting one but you never know)

3. Does it fold flat? If not how well does it fold up? (or should I say how bulky is it)

4. Is it safe to assume that I could use this bracket and my 488RC2 QR Plates at the same time?

FWIW, this is the model that fits the Rebel Series which is fine for me since I currently have an XT (using a 430 EX with it).

TIA (fwiw, I did a search and wasn't able to turn anything up)

I do not own one and have not used one.....but some observations -

2 pounds at an all day wedding equates to about a ton
What direction does this rotate? Does the grip end up on top in portrait orientation?
You've got about $80 worth of cables here which leaves $50 for a bracket.

Titus213 wrote in post #7373936
I do not own one and have not used one.....but some observations -

2 pounds at an all day wedding equates to about a ton
What direction does this rotate? Does the grip end up on top in portrait orientation?
You've got about $80 worth of cables here which leaves $50 for a bracket.

wont be using it for weddings...going to be using it with my 100-400 for wildlife so it will be mainly used on a tripod or monopod...I am not sure which way it roatates but in the way I will be mainly using it it would be in this position: http://www.naturescape​s.net/retail/better_be​amer.jpg

of course if it does rotate having that flexibility is going to be nice

edit: and Titus thanks for your answer too

and man I really tried to figure out if this belonged in the acc/storage forum or flash/lighting forum and since it was more about it being an acc (ie: like most questions about ball heads I thought for sure it belonged over there) so again sorry for putting it in the wrong forum

Eagle i wrote in post #7373833
I hope this is in the right forum and if not, I am sorry.

...does anyone have one or used one that they can comment on?

Anyway, trying to figure out what flash bracket I want to pair with the Better Beamer that I am getting for my 100-400 and I have stumbled upon the

DOT LINE RPS Flash bracket http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ash_Bracket.htm​l#features
(From B&H it goes for about $140 shipped to me but is only $115 shipped from TriState)

There are a few things that intrigue me about the DOT LINE RPS.
1. Can switch from right to left side.
2. Includes a remote shutter switch that can be pressed from the grip.
3. Includes the Off Camera TTL Cord

I was looking at a couple of stroboframes but the DOT LINE looks to be very nice especially for the price considering it includes a cord. It looks to be a bit heavier at 2lbs...

My questions are:

1. Have you used one? If so what did you like and dislike about it?

2. Can it be used with a grip? (I dont have one and dont plan on getting one but you never know)

3. Does it fold flat? If not how well does it fold up? (or should I say how bulky is it)

4. Is it safe to assume that I could use this bracket and my 488RC2 QR Plates at the same time?

FWIW, this is the model that fits the Rebel Series which is fine for me since I currently have an XT (using a 430 EX with it).

TIA (fwiw, I did a search and wasn't able to turn anything up)

While the price may be attractive, I really don't think the RPS is the bracket you want if nature photography with a Better Beamer is the plan. Apart from other considerations, this bracket rotates the camera the "wrong" way meaning the grip winds up on the bottom, not the top. One demerit right there.

Note too that this bracket mounts to the camera, not to the rotating tripod mount of the 100-400mm lens you intend to use it with. That's not good. If you mount the camera/bracket combo on the tripod head, the lens is left unsupported. If you mount the lens to the tripod head, you're left with the weight of the camera, bracket, flash, cables, and Better Beamer hanging out in space. Neither situation is good.

Ideally what you want is to have the camera and lens supported by the tripod mounting ring of the 100-400mm AND have the flash/Better Beamer mounted over the lens, not on the camera.

The ideal solution is also an expensive solution. For tripod-mounted long lens photography NOTHING beats a true gimbal head. If you're not familiar with these devices have a look at www.tripodhead.com (for the Wimberley heads and flash brackets), www.jobu-design.com (for the Black Widow gimbal and the Jr. 2 which works with the 100-400mm), www.kirkphoto.com (for the King Cobra which is not a full gimbal), and www.custombrackets.com (for the CB gimbal).

Finally, here's a 100-400mm mounted on a Mongoose bracket:

http://www.birdsasart.​com …IATE%20TELEPHOT​O%20LENSES!

There's a dedicated flash arm also available for the Mongoose.

Sorry if this isn't what you had in mind but, based on your initial post, I think this is the type of solution you should be looking at.

Dave F.

You don't need no flash bracket when using something like 100-400L. Now if you were using 500/600mm then sure but then you should be looking at wimberley flash bracket.

tetrode wrote in post #7375038
While the price may be attractive, I really don't think the RPS is the bracket you want if nature photography with a Better Beamer is the plan. Apart from other considerations, this bracket rotates the camera the "wrong" way meaning the grip winds up on the bottom, not the top. One demerit right there.

Note too that this bracket mounts to the camera, not to the rotating tripod mount of the 100-400mm lens you intend to use it with. That's not good. If you mount the camera/bracket combo on the tripod head, the lens is left unsupported. If you mount the lens to the tripod head, you're left with the weight of the camera, bracket, flash, cables, and Better Beamer hanging out in space. Neither situation is good.

Ideally what you want is to have the camera and lens supported by the tripod mounting ring of the 100-400mm AND have the flash/Better Beamer mounted over the lens, not on the camera.

The ideal solution is also an expensive solution. For tripod-mounted long lens photography NOTHING beats a true gimbal head. If you're not familiar with these devices have a look at www.tripodhead.com (for the Wimberley heads and flash brackets), www.jobu-design.com (for the Black Widow gimbal and the Jr. 2 which works with the 100-400mm), www.kirkphoto.com (for the King Cobra which is not a full gimbal), and www.custombrackets.com (for the CB gimbal).

Finally, here's a 100-400mm mounted on a Mongoose bracket:

http://www.birdsasart.​com …IATE%20TELEPHOT​O%20LENSES!

There's a dedicated flash arm also available for the Mongoose.

Sorry if this isn't what you had in mind but, based on your initial post, I think this is the type of solution you should be looking at.

Dave F.

I really, REALLY appreciate the feedback and answer....with that said I can only admire the wimbley and such stuff right now due to budget but that doesn't mean your suggestion is falling on deaf ears...I know it means I probably should wait til I can do it "right"...but I do have a few other questions with regards to your answers...bear with me as I am still a relative newbie...

You say:
Note too that this bracket mounts to the camera, not to the rotating tripod mount of the 100-400mm lens you intend to use it with. That's not good.
My question is how do you know it only mounts to the camera and can't mount to the tripod ring? (I agree if it can't thats not good)...

Also, my other question is, Is it a matter of its just not practical to mount it to the tripod ring with the QR because it will be to high? Or will it just not mount to the ring? (I guess what is confusing me is how it could mount to the camera and not the ring...now if my ring was turned sideways then I understand but the way I currently use it is under the lens and in the same plane as the camera mounting hole.

again I really appreciate the feedback and I am going to check out all the links you supplied...the last thing I want to do is buy something that wont work or that I wont be happy with and then have to spend more money down the line...

fwiw, this is what I have that I use:
XT, 430EX, 100-400L and a 105 Sigma Macro for Macro stuff
Better Beamer (arriving shortly)
Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod
Manfrotto 488RC2 Ballhead
Manfrotto NeoTec 685B Monopod
Manfrotto 234 Swivel Tilt Monopod Head

I guess I should update my gear list.

Thanks again

bobbyz wrote in post #7375091
You don't need no flash bracket when using something like 100-400L. Now if you were using 500/600mm then sure but then you should be looking at wimberley flash bracket.

ok, so because of the length you are saying that the FB isn't necessary and that mounted on the hot shoe is correct? If so that is fine because I don't have any problem saving that money for something else

Eagle i wrote in post #7375179
ok, so because of the length you are saying that the FB isn't necessary and that mounted on the hot shoe is correct? If so that is fine because I don't have any problem saving that money for something else

For the type of photography you're proposing, you NEED a flash bracket that will keep the flash and attached Better Beamer above the lens. If the flash is sitting in the hotshoe, any time you rotate the camera to take a vertical, the flash will also rotate to your left altering the lighting.

By the way, don't forget the "poor man's Wimberley", the Manfrotto 393:

http://www.adorama.com​/BG3421.html

As far as your other question about whether the RPS bracket can mount to the lens tripod ring, the answer is technically "yes" but that doesn't suggest it was intended to be used that way or that it's in any way a good idea. The mounting plate of the RPS bracket is obviously configured to conform to the bottom of a camera as that's how the bracket was designed to be used. Could you attach a quick release to the RPS and then mount the lens on top of that? Probably but, if you did, I could almost guarantee you'd never get a sharp picture.

In long lens photography, technique is everything. To get a sharp photo, focus has to be spot on AND the lens/camera has to be supported in a manner that suppresses all vibration and movement. That could be either a rigid tripod or (even better) a bean bag. Think about having your camera/100-400mm lens attached to the RPS bracket and the bracket, in turn, screwed onto a tripod. Remember, the RPS is a rotating bracket meaning the platform on which you've mounted the camera/lens is not rigidly attached to the tripod at all but is attached through a rotating linkage designed to bear the weight of a camera sporting a relatively short focal length lens. I am certain the camera with 100-400mm lens would rock up and back if the combo were mounted to the RPS bracket in the manner you suggest.

I can appreciate your budget constraints (we all have them) but don't try to teach a pig to sing. Save yourself some aggravation and get the proper tool for the job.

Incidentally, I personally own both a Wimberley II and the CB Gimbal and have owned the Jobu Black Widow in the past. Obviously, I'm a huge fan of gimbal heads and wouldn't dream of mounting my 400mm f/2.8 AF-S Nikkor on anything else.

Dave F.

Eagle i wrote in post #7375179
ok, so because of the length you are saying that the FB isn't necessary and that mounted on the hot shoe is correct? If so that is fine because I don't have any problem saving that money for something else

Yes. Just use flash with BB on your hot shoe.

If you need to shoot portrait mode then yes, having flash bracket is nice. I persoanlly prefer arca swiss compatible stuff but it is usually more expensive. If you have L bracketf or your lens then something like RRS wedding pro is quite nice. I have one and like it for its quality.

For less money look at bogen flex arm. You can stick your flash to it.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …96HD_Heavy_Duty​_Flex.html