Is a flash bracket really "old hat"?

[savagesax]

Also, a person that shoots 2000, 4000, and even 8000 images per wedding a bracket would surely slow you down. I really admire these photographers that can shoot like this.

[blanston]

<p>I have also found that I can use my QFlash Trio without a bracket so long as I have the wide-angle dome diffuser fitted and have the flash adjusted at a 45-degree angle.</p>

[savagesax]

Robert, the Trio will work fine in most cases, but it does cause hard shadows in the vertical position; this is why I use the T5DR on a bracket. It totally takes away this problem. I also use the dome you are referring to.

[david_schilling___chicago_]

<p>Bob, unless that photographer is "bracketing" while using his bracket, there's no way I can understand 2000-4000 shots at a wedding. The guy getting 8000 might as well just switch to video.</p>

[jeff_schear]

<p>Bob B. hit the nail on the head</p>

[david_schilling___chicago_]

<p>Jeff, Welcome to P-net. You can add your website URL to your member page. Forum rules don't allow website URL's as a signature to posts.. BTW, enjoyed a quick visit to your website. If you'd like, you can also email the forum moderator and they can add Chicago to your user-name.</p>

[markjordan]

<p>I agree with Ed Farmer, above. Plus, doesn't one need a flash bracket for Macro shots? I woudn't be without one for that reason alone. I also use mine for the reasons Ed Farmer mentioned, red-eye, better light coverage, etc, during common events like birthdays,etc., unless you want to just simply hold the flash up with your hand and fire it as a slave to your on-camera flash or remote. Certainly you wouldn't want to carry around a separate light pole for every single event yet it is almost always best to get your flash off the hotshoe if possible. That's where a bracket comes in.</p>

[richard_crowe4]

<p>I use a camera flip flash bracket for a lot of shooting but, have been using it less since I began using a Joe Demb Flash Difuser Pro ( <a href="http://www.dembflashproducts.com">www.dembflashproducts.com</a> ). In very informal and totally unscientific tests, I have deduced that the improvement from using my 550EX or 420EX flashes with the Flash Diffuser Pro; with and without a bracket is not as great as when using a flash with either other diffusers or with no diffuser.</p>

 

[steven_crist]

<p><em>"Too heavy??? So 15.4 ounces for a bracket is "just so darn heavy"......pleeeeease."</em></p>

<p>I agree with this and Nadine's following comment. Going back 20 years I recall lugging around medium format with a big potato masher and battery pack, a bag with a few heavy lenses and film backs. Then I now read where people don't like camera grips (or Pro-model Nikons or Canons) because of too much weight. My mind just flashed back to when my parents would tell me of their 10 mile walk to school in the snow and getting a nickel allowance.</p>

[anthony_zipple]

<p>I like my RRS bracket a lot but am also a Stroboframe fan. I always use it for events when I want too do my best work. I skip it for more casual use. I like the results better with the bracket a bit more. It is more cumbersome, but when I want to make sure that I do my absolute best work for an event, I always use it. And I always use it with my big Quantum flash...</p>

[blanston]

<p>As regards a heavy setup, I consider it a plus, as I am glad to get the exercise! (I take stairs, walk up escalators, and park far away for the same reasons.)</p>

[ed_farmer]

<p>Mark,<br>

Thanks for the kudos! The end of the discussion here should revolved around the idea that anyone who says "You always need a bracket." or "You never need a bracket." is wrong. It is interesting that I don't remember reading anyone who said, "Not using a bracket makes for better images." By having a bracket, I always have one available.<br>

Ed</p>

[ed_te_pas]

<p>With a rotating bracket like Custom Brackets, you can use your on camera flash any possible way you like, whether you bounce or not. So for me it is THE tool I still use. And my PW is mounted on it too. A little heavier than without but when you're use to shoot with 2 EOS 1 bodies and heavy L lenses it adds little weight to your already heavy gear.</p>

[steve_hovland]

<p>One more piece to lug around, another electrical connection.<br>

I have also stopped flipping the camera to "portrait." I just back up and shoot and crop the vertical out of the whole frame. Those would be 4x6's anyway. Plenty of pixels.</p>