Any good flash bracket recommendations?

Hello all,

Just looking at the CB Junior flash bracket. Is there similar products that do not flip the camera that photogs prefer? I liked the constuction of the CB unit.

When in a pinch I'd like to reduce redeye when using my 70-200 with direct flash.

any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.

Alan

Have a look at the Newton.

Titus213 wrote in post #8660983
Have a look at the Newton.

A wedding pro needs a pro quality bracket that keeps the flash directly over the lens axis, to drop the shadows behind the subjects where they are not seen (unlike objectionable side shadows!). Three products meet that requirement...Newton Camera Brackets, RRS, and Custom Brackets. The CB is a heavy beast compared to the weight of the Newton and RRS...almost 1 lb. heavier than RRS and Newton, and carrying that for 8-12 hours while covering a wedding is not fun! RRS is very expensive. That brings us to Newton...lightweight (my Newton flash rotator is 8 oz.), sturdy, pro grade product. But you need to spend $200 for the Newton or $300 or more for the others!

Virtually every wedding pro who I have told about the Newton and purchased one has loved it and become avid supporters of the product, too! I wish Robert Newton would put me on commission, but I need to refer 999,918 more buying customers first, to get an attaboy!

I have used a Newton for almost 20 years, the bracket on a Bronica ETRSi with Metz 45CL potatomasher flash, and now with a Canon 40D with Metz 54MZ hotshoe flash...it is easily adjusted, and can accomodate tall bodies (1Ds) or bodies with Battery Grips (e.g. 5DII) or without battery grips. Newton even offers extensions to put hotshoe flashes up taller, if redeye is a concern. It could be a problem when you are at 200mm FL and farther from the subject!

I like to use a very small softbox on my on-bracket flash, to soften any visible shadows (like the ones cast by the bride's arm and bouquet while holding the bouquet in front of her below the bodice of her gown).

Newton brackets come either as flash rotators, or as camera rotators. Using a flash rotator on a tripod mounted camera in Portrait orientation, and flipping back to Landscape is easiest with camera rotator, but not horrible with a flash rotator.


www.newtoncamerabracke​ts.com

PS Products like LightSphere or Stoffen, which rely upon the ceiling to soften light, are useless outdoors...wastes power, gobbles up battery charge in doing so. Remove them outdoors!

+1 for the Newton. Love it.

TMR Design wrote in post #8661815
+1 for the Newton. Love it.

Me too!

Titus213 wrote in post #8660983
Have a look at the Newton.

I looked at the Di100frs and it looks nice. Hopefully it positions the flash in a location that helps reduces redeye.

I emailed them for more info and no response.

dbl post

AlanU wrote in post #8666965
I looked at the Di100frs and it looks nice. Hopefully it positions the flash in a location that helps reduces redeye.

I emailed them for more info and no response.

Call Robert Newton at the phone number listed on his site. He's a really nice guy and will gladly spend time with you to explain how his bracket works and the various accessories available.

I've never gotten red eye with the Newton bracket.

Thanks Robert,

I'm looking for a nice bracket so that in those "non ideal" situations I use my 70-200 with direct flas indoors. Also I'm getting more particular in my hobby.

TMR Design wrote in post #8666981
Call Robert Newton at the phone number listed on his site. He's a really nice guy and will gladly spend time with you to explain how his bracket works and the various accessories available.

I've never gotten red eye with the Newton bracket.

Strobo frame also has some sturdy versatile brackets

AlanU wrote in post #8666997
Thanks Robert,

I'm looking for a nice bracket so that in those "non ideal" situations I use my 70-200 with direct flas indoors. Also I'm getting more particular in my hobby.

I haven't ever had redeye, even with my Metz shoe mount flash mounted directly on the Newton Bracket, except once when shooting a subject far off...in that case it is expected, as the angle formed by the lens axis and the flash axis is narrowed with greater distance. You would be wise to talk to Robert Newton, as suggested, to tell him your intent to use with 70-200mm, so he can recommend just how much vertical extension might be needed.

AlanU wrote in post #8666997
Thanks Robert,

I'm looking for a nice bracket so that in those "non ideal" situations I use my 70-200 with direct flas indoors. Also I'm getting more particular in my hobby.

Everyone has their own preference but in my opinion, if you're not going to get a Custom Brackets or RSS bracket then the Newton is the next best thing, and for some (like me) it's a better choice.

There are many things about the Newton bracket that I like much more than Custom.

BTW, I use the flash rotator Di100FR2. If you want the rig to be stable when you place it on a flat surface make sure you get the 5-110 knob and you'll need the 2-10102.

If you plan on using a mini softbox you'll want to get the 1-10102 Extender.

Total price is still considerably less than the Custom or RSS.

Thank you Robert,

Excellent suggestions on the flash bracket extender and the 5-110

I'll be ordering soon.

TMR Design wrote in post #8667052
Everyone has their own preference but in my opinion, if you're not going to get a Custom Brackets or RSS bracket then the Newton is the next best thing, and for some (like me) it's a better choice.

There are many things about the Newton bracket that I like much more than Custom.

BTW, I use the flash rotator Di100FR2. If you want the rig to be stable when you place it on a flat surface make sure you get the 5-110 knob and you'll need the 2-10102.

If you plan on using a mini softbox you'll want to get the 1-10102 Extender.

Total price is still considerably less than the Custom or RSS.

AlanU,
Here's a bit of dicussion on it:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=741582

Thanks all for contributing to this thread.

After debating I decided to buy the Di100fr2 newton bracket with the accesories Robert (TMR) suggested - Thanks Robert!! I figured I'll have a phenominal product for a decent chunk of change.