hjoseph7 Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 Last year I bought a "butterfly" flash bracket from Kirk enterprises. http://www.kirkphoto.com/brackets.html#kcbracket as an aid to illuminating close-ups in the field. John Shaw recomended using one these brackets in his book "The Nature Photographer's Complete Guide to Professional Field Techniques". Actually the FB8 flash bracket is a replica of the home-made butterfly flash bracket that John Shaw uses in the field to take close ups of plants and small animals. Combined with a small flash or with an automatic flash with variable flash output, this bracket is amazing. Unlike other flash brackets, you have an almost infinite array of positions to place your flash. John Shaw recomends placing the flash about 12" directly above the lens for a direct burst of flash. Unlike people pictures harsh flash light is actually pleasing on small creatures bringing out all the details that you want to see in a picture. With this flash bracket you can move the flash above and to the side to simulate sunlight. Shoot directly from the side, or even from the bottom. I combined the FB8 bracket with a small Nikon (discontinued) SB-15 flash which I bougth from eBay. The thing I like about this flash is that it is small and portable, it has a low GN, it has TTL and has swivel head that can be turned from 30 to 90 degrees giving you even more flexibility. Perfect for close up photography. Unfortunately, you can only attach one of these brackets to a camera at a time. If you could attach 2 brackets, you could have yourself a pretty nice close-up system for interior work too ! I called Kirk enterprises a few days ago and asked them if there was a way to attach two of these brackets to a tripod/camera. They told me they did not make anything like that and they no longer took special orders because they are now outsoucing their work to keep up with the orders. Oh well, maybe I can attach another FB8 to a secondary tripod like a "slik FBH100 miniature tripod" which I have, thereby providing even lighting for close-up copy work inside. I took a chance and ordered another FB8 bracket today. I'll have to see how the whole thing works when it gets here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffm Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 I use the Wimberley version of the macro flash bracket (M4) http://www.tripodhead.com/products/flash-bracket-individual-modules.cfm It, too is extremely flexible. However, Wimberley design it to be used with their QR plates, and that would mean a new tripod head, etc... Once I had the bracket, though, it was easy enough to design and build an adaptor for my camera - you may be able to do likewise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Doo Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 Both good setups; though I still can't figure out the Wimberly "puzzle" unless I follow the instructions step by step - LOL!<br> <br> Anyhow, since we are on the subject, you may like to see this Nikon macro flash config as well (<a href="http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/r1c1.htm">R1C1 link</a>). <br> <br> Mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george_slusher1 Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 Go to the Kirk site at http://www.kirkphoto.com/brackets.html and scroll down to "Macro Flashbrackets for lenses with a tripod collar." You'll see just what you're looking for, the FB-10. If you're using a lens without a tripod collar, Kirk sells an adapter that will attach to an Arca-Swiss plate on your camera body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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