Speedlite Bracket SB-E1

As Canon users, how long have we had to wait for Canon to provide us

with a Flash Bracket. Wait no longer Canonites, the Speedlite SB-E1

has arrived and I was real pleased to have purchased one of the first

or should I say that I owned one for about an hour.

 

You would think that Canon with all its technological capacity, that

brings us state of the art photographic equipment wouldn?t employ a

retarded monkey to design anything that was going to have the Canon

name branded on it ? but they have.

 

I was going to use the SB-E1 on my 10D with Vertical Grip BG-ED3,

Handstrap E1 and a 550EX. I know the publicity blurb states the SB-

E1 is designed for the 580EX but I?d heard it could also be used with

the 550 - silly me, what was I thinking of !

 

The 550 only but only just fits onto the SB-E1 when attached to the

Off Camera Cord and this is only after having to remove the SB-E1

580EX securing screw. Also, the base of the Vertical Grip doesn?t

sit squarely onto the bracket because of the Handstraps lower

securing strap.

 

Now comes the best bit or should I say the ?Canon Design

Masterpiece?. Using the camera in portrait mode so the VGs controls

are where they should be ? on the top, the flash is hung directly

below the camera. This positioning provides perfectly exposed flash

shots of the subjects groin areas.

 

It?s ?specifically designed for Wedding photographers etc? says

Canon. What they should say is it?s designed for ex-Wedding

photographers as the exploratory photographs I took with and without

the SB-E1, showed a marked increase in shadow size when USING the

bracket.

 

In the UK the SB-E1 costs about ?125.00. Anyone with brains (unlike

some at Canon) may as well buy a straight flash bracket like those

available from Hama for about ?8.00.

 

As for me, well I went and bought a Stroboframe Pro-T and the results

are night and day when compared to the very expensive flop called SB-

E1. Are you listening Mr Canon ? hello ? is there anybody in ?

Thanks for sharing.

 

:)

I've read that this bracket is more suitable for the paparazzi crowd for a couple of reasons:

- The flash element being more aligned with the film (or CMOS) plan, it would lit the subject more evenly and captures the features behind those sheer see through dress much more effectively.

- The comact size fits the hectic and physical shooting style of chasing celebs.

- Many photos I saw in pictures shoot portrait orientation with the shutter button flipped to the bottom side.

- These guys never have the camera mounted on a tripod.

 

Comes to think of it, if I can train myself to flip down instead of the normal way for portrait orientation, and have a second body for the formal stuffs, this bracket would make a great foundation for a hot PJ/candid shot set up.

 

Regards,

Alan

I'm using a Canon Rebel XT with the Canon Vertical Grip and a 430EX Speedlite. I have it all monted on a Stroboframe VH 2000 Stroboflip Bracket. It's a bit difficult to use the Vertical Grips shutter release while it's on the bracket but not impossible. In-fact it is comfortable to use the vertical controls but your hand is not positioned the same as you may be use to, and you do need to hold the lens. The great thing is that I can use this bracket with one hand, no need to support the flash for balance. This isn't a pretty set-up but it looks so functional that photographers are always asking 'what camer is that?'. If one was to use the Stroboframe, I would suggest getting an Omni-Bounce as well.