does anyone use a flash bracket anymore?

Oh yeah I dunno about that. I just use the built-in card.

At a certain distance any small bounce card, even the flipit is going to give a similar light quality to direct flash (without the benefit of the throw of the speedlight zoom function) simply because the ratio of light source size to subject doesnt change much.

Shooting wrote in post #10400063
When I have to back up and shoot a group the flipit doesn't "push" enough light forward to light up the group

Hence my comment about it not working for long distances.

All the flip-it does is increase your flash head area by about 300% and spread less light at a wider angle, thereby softening sharp shadows - it won't eliminate them. and it's not meant to turn your flash into a key light.

I assume you're mean when shooting vertical You need to keep that flash over you lens. I use the Demb bracket - just flip the flash arm to the top. It only weighs 7oz.

cdifoto wrote in post #10401760
Oh yeah I dunno about that. I just use the built-in card.

You can't use it with on-camera flash in portrait orientation though.

sapearl wrote in post #10401326
Right - I got that part. I'm just confused about how Shooting is using it or what his expectations are. I don't own one myself, but it's actually a pretty decent product that does what it promises..... nothing more nothing less.

The pro who shot both of my daughter's weddings uses it, but in combination with one of those Custom Brackets (camera rotator model.) It did a very nice job of evening out the light, filling in eyes, minimizing hot spots ..... eliminating shadows - but again he's using it with a rotating bracket, and typically not beyond about 12-15' max due to the fall off. He also got very evenly lighted table shots with it.

I was using it with the flash as being on camera, turn the camera in portrait orientation and there you have side shadows since it is not directly over the lens.

I have the Manfrotto telescoping bracket and it'll put the flash up to a good 16" over the camera should I extend it that far. I do use it to get the flash off the camera, even when using the flash head in a bounce orientation. Its also been used when macro shooting to pivot the flash head closer to the subject.

for those that use a flash bracket (and those that use it with a stofen), do you have the flash pointed directly parallel with the lens or is it angled? I know there wouldn't be much point to putting it at an angle if there's nothing to bounce off of, but I always thought with the omnibounce you were supposed to put it at a 45 degree angle...which is fine for horizontal, but there's not exactly a 45 degree mark on the flash when it's vertical (I have a Omega flash frame h.o.t, so I don't have the luxuary of a camera flip bracket).

Pward1980 wrote in post #10429709
but I always thought with the omnibounce you were supposed to put it at a 45 degree angle...

I believe that's what the instructions say but it depends in what environment you are shooting in. If there are white walls behind you but a dark ceiling you might point it differently or choose not use it at all. Every lighting contraption has its following but don't fall into the trap that there is this "holy grail" of light modifiers out there that will do it all because there simply isn't. (A lot of us have been there).

I threw my power-sucking omnibounce out years ago. I'm convinced it's really an invention by the battery companies to get you to buy more batteries.

Can't you figure this out without a line? 45 degrees is 1/2 way between straight up and flat. (90 degrees).

RT McAllister wrote in post #10430202
Can't you figure this out without a line? 45 degrees is 1/2 way between straight up and flat. (90 degrees).

I can figure out where 45 degrees is..., however the flash doesn't lock into position when it's laying horizontal above the lens in portrait orientation with the bracket. it goes from 0 to 60.

Pward1980 wrote in post #10430335
I can figure out where 45 degrees is..., however the flash doesn't lock into position when it's laying horizontal above the lens in portrait orientation with the bracket. it goes from 0 to 60.

When the flash is horizontal above the lens... why can't you twist the head up 45 degrees? It will be pointing with the narrow part of the head running up/down (if that makes sense) but that's ok.

I can't picture how your bracket "flips" and the resultant position of the 580ex though.

Horizontal is not a problem. My bracket has an arm that rotates to the right, so my shutter button is still on top, and the flash is above the lens, however it is now laying sideways.

That is where my problem is when you mention a 45 degree angle. There is no indicator on the flash head for 45 degrees when its in that position, and the flash won't lock in place unless its 0, 60, 75, or 90 degrees.

The answer to most photography related questions is "try it and see what you like".