Flash Bracket: What Kind?

[chimera_h]

<p>What kind of flash bracket do you use for shooting weddings? I've never used one, but am looking for something affordable and easy/comfortable to use.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

[mathew_gardella]

<p>although many may disagree, i prefer the stroboframe vh 2000... it allows for both vertical and horizontal shots but isn't for everyone.... you have to hold the zoom ring from the bottom of the camera... if this isn't your style, it can be uncomfortable...</p>

[btmuir]

<p>I don't do weddings but plenty of events.<br>

I'm using a strobo frame Press T at the moment.</p>

<p>I was using a strobo frame "quick flip" but that gets uncomfortable after few hours due to the grip.</p>

<p>It's really a personal comfort choice so you need to see if you can try a few styles.</p>

<p>Some people these days hate them with a passion. I tend to agree but sometimes there's no way around it if there are limited bounce surfaces and you are on the run.</p>

[btmuir]

<p>just saw a similar question a bit down the "unified" view page</p>

<p>Some good info there as well as in the search function.</p>

[william-porter]

<p>If you have never used a bracket before, you'll probably have to try a couple and see whether you like using them at all - and if you decide that you do, you can try to figure out which one works best for you. I use a bracket occasionally. But I generally don't find that it's very useful to me.</p>

<p>I think that the whole flash bracket idea isn't quite as compelling as it used to be. Used to be the flash unit was generally a fixed item, pointing forward, and you wanted a bracket to minimize the harsh shadows behind your subjects. But now we soften the flash with modifiers. Or we bounce. Or we use our sophisticated flash exposure systems (i-TTL, P-TTL on the Pentax cameras, whatever it's called) and we can combine ambient light and flash for a more natural look. If you're bouncing or if you have a modifier system that you like, the bracket doesn't do much except make your camera look more impressive. Now, I grant that there is occasionally SOME value to the bracket as a prop. (Seriously.)</p>

<p>Anyway, it's a pretty personal thing - personal decision whether you will like a bracket at all, and personal decision what kind of bracket you'll like. But the first thing to figure out is whether you will find a bracket useful at all. And to a large degree, ANY bracket will allow you to figure that out, since all brackets move the flash away from the lens. So my recommendation would be to borrow, or buy used, or at least start with something inexpensive.</p>

[dawn_kelly]

<p>I second the Stroboframe VH 2000 flash bracket. It is about the only bracket that doesn't add considerable weight to your camera. I used to use a Strobo camera flip bracket, but the considerable weight it added just got tiring after a while.</p>

[lex_jenkins]

<p>Have been using a Custom Brackets CB Junior for events for about four years. Now would reconsider - the Flash Frame H.O.T. appears to offer a similar design and better value, especially since it includes a shoe adapter. Looks like it might be a little lighter in weight than the CB Junior too. The CBJ adds a little over a pound to the camera.</p>

<p>And due to the weight and bulk, I'd probably skip any type of flip bracket now and try the <a href="http://www.dembflashproducts.com/bracket/">Demb doodad</a> . It wasn't available when I was shopping for a bracket or I'd have considered it first.</p>

[david_schilling___chicago_]

<p>Here's the link to the same question just posted: <a href="http://www.photo.net/wedding-photography-forum/00TxuT">http://www.photo.net/wedding-photography-forum/00TxuT</a> You can also do a search and see several prior threads on brackets.</p>

[jim mucklin]

<p><a href="http://reallyrightstuff.com/flash/04.html">http://reallyrightstuff.com/flash/04.html</a><br>

It will require a L bracket for your particular camera, but it works. I tried many, and the flash is always in the wrong position, I shoot a lot of images in the portrait position, with most of the ones where the camera rotates, the camera is one way and the flash is the other.<br>

I have added one of their quick release brackets for my tripod, now I can walk over with the camera and bracket and snap it onto the tripod in either position with out having to worry about camera flop when you switch from landscape to portrait.<br>

It's not a cheap setup but it works and I no longer get frustrated because I can't find the allen wrench to tighten the loose bracket.</p>

[david_schilling___chicago_]

<p><em>"I tried many, and the flash is always in the wrong position, I shoot a lot of images in the portrait position, with most of the ones where the camera rotates, the camera is one way and the flash is the other." -Jim<br /></em><br>

Not if you use the camera flip model that I mentioned in the thread referenced above, the flash stays in the correct position whether you shoot vertical or horizontal.</p>

[matt_needham]

<p>I use a Newton Di100FR2. Compact and light; it rotates the flash around the camera body, and can fold up small enough to fit in my back pocket. I've been using one for 4 or 5 years, and I love it.</p>

<p>http://www.newtoncamerabrackets.com/</p>

<p> </p>

[mitchfalk]

<p>Best one I've had so far, you can leave the "kick stand" off and it packs pretty flat. I added a quick release on the bracket and anti twist plate to the bottom of my camera. I also added a Nikon SC-29 and threaded my Digital Battery Cable thru the provided plastic loop.</p>

<h1>Stroboframe U-Pro Flash Bracket for all Digital & 35mm SLR Cameras</h1>

<p>Mfr. Part: 310750 SKU: SB310750<br>

<a onclick="window.open('catlite.tpl?op=large_image&sku=SB310750.JPG', 'popup', 'width=500,height=530,left=30,top=80,resizable=1,statusbar=0,hotkeys=0,menubar=0,scrollbars=0,status=0,toolbar=0');return false;" href="http://www.adorama.com/catlite.tpl?op=large_image&sku=SB310750.JPG"><img src="http://www.adorama.com/images/Product/SB310750.jpg" border="0" alt="Stroboframe U-Pro Flash Bracket for all Digital & 35mm SLR Cameras" vspace="7" width="200" height="200" /> </a></p>

[maximphotostudio]

<p>I have 2 <a href="http://reallyrightstuff.com/flash/02.html">87B Portrait Perfect Packages from Really Right Stuff</a> . They are great because rotating from Vert. to Horiz. is a simple twist.</p>

[markonestudios]

Read this: http://photo-tips-online.com/review/best-flash-diffuser/

[swede_spoltore]

<p>I have tried quite a few flash brackets over the last 30 years and in my opinion - the best one out there is the Just-Rite bracket which rotates the camera. It has compactness, isintelligently built and handles the best of all the brackets I ever tried. On top of all of this, the owner of the company, Gary Just is a phenominal person to do business with - great service.</p>