Flash bracket

mike_d wrote in post #10014663
I read about flash brackets and items like RRS's CRD that are designed to keep the flash above the lens no matter the orientation, as you said. Then I hear things like "the best thing you can do is get the flash off the camera because having it right above the lens creates a very flat and unflattering light." I'm having trouble reconciling those two. Can you shed some light on it, so to speak?

My take on this is that, unless the flash is really taken off-camera, i.e. not mounted on the camera or a flash bracket, you are always going to end up with flat lighting. And depending on where the flash is located relative to the lens, you may end up with some harsh and unflattering shadows (assuming the flash is pointed forward). In that case, then, it would be better to keep the flash above the lens so that the harsh and unattractive shadow cast by the flash is least visible.

If you are going to be bouncing the flash off a wall or ceiling, then it probably won't matter where the flash is relative to the lens axis or how far away it is from the lens.

DC Fan wrote in post #10005577
The Stroboframe 350 remains a good bargain in brackets.

I can vouch for this, although I've gone with RRS, the Stobframe definitly does the job.

thanks, i buy the Stroboframe 350

crissoft wrote in post #10016819
thanks, i buy the Stroboframe 350

I used one with my film cameras but I got a question about it. How would I use one the opposite way in order to use my battery grip shutter button..the flash handle would be in the way of using the button..right?

I love my battery grip and don't really want to give it up. I have the stoboframe camera flip but with the battery grip on the camera it raises the height of the camera too much and it rubs against the bracket. I'd like to have a camera flip to let me use my grip but don't have the money for a very expensive one.

I bought what I call a "paparazzi" bracket (because I've seen them used at celebrity events.) It's a Custom Brackets Mini-RC.

While it doesn't put the flash above the lens in landscape orientation, it puts it above the lens in portrait orientation. What I like about it that it's compact and faster because it doesn't require flipping either the flash or the camera.

Look at the eBay version of the VH2000. They are almost identical to the original Stroboframe VH2000.

JWright wrote in post #10020925
I bought what I call a "paparazzi" bracket (because I've seen them used at celebrity events.) It's a Custom Brackets Mini-RC.

While it doesn't put the flash above the lens in landscape orientation, it puts it above the lens in portrait orientation. What I like about it that it's compact and faster because it doesn't require flipping either the flash or the camera.

That's the bracket I use....combined with a giottos miniature ball head, you can get the flash any place you want it.

It's especially nice for macro...getting the flash head to point at the subject.