|
||||||||||
 |
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
| Photography Guides | ||||||
|
The Flash Bracket |
||||||
|
||||||
A guide to flash brackets for portrait and wedding photography |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
Manufacturers R - Z:
The Stroboframe Pro-RL is a camera position adjustment type flash bracket that lets you adjust the flash angle at 12 click-stop positions. Fingertip-activated lock secures camera in horizontal position. Flash height adjustment up to 18" above the lens. A kickstand pivots out to stabilize bracket on a flat surface. This model is for right-handed users. Weight: 2 lbs. 1 oz.
Comments/Reviews: PRO-RL AT WORK "USE THIS RIG FOR WEDDINGS CHRISTENINGS ETC. FOR GREAT FLASH DISTRIBUTION IT IS BRILLIANT, THROWING THE FLASH DOWNWARDS CREATING A SHADOW BEHIND AND LOW ON THE SUBJECT, WHICH IS NOT AT ALL DISTRACTING IN THE PHOTOGRAPHS. MUCH BETTER THAN A SIDE FLASH BRACKET REGARDING SHADOWS, ESPECIALLY WHEN SIDE FLASH BRACKET HAS TO BE TURNED TO PORTRAIT MODE.I LOVE THE FACT THAT WHETHER YOU WANT A LANDSCAPE MODE SHOT AND WANT TO CHANGE TO PORTRAIT MODE, ITS A 1 SECOND JOB TO TURN THE CAMERA ON A 45 DEGREE ANGLE AND STILL GET THE FLASH ITSELF TO BE DIRECTLY ABOVE THE CAMERA AND ACHIEVE FANTASTIC RESULTS. THIS RIG IS FANTASTIC. THE ONLY DOWNSIDE TO THIS RIG IS THE FACT THAT AS I AM RIGHT HANDED, LIKE MOST PEOPLE, I HOLD THE BRACKET HANDLE WITH MY LEFT HAND AND USE MY RIGHT HAND TO ZOOM, CHANGE CONTROLS ETC. THE SIDE OF THE BRACKET IS QUITE AT THE FRONT, PARRALEL TO THE LENS MORE AND NOT THE CAMERA BODY, IT CAN BE DIFFICULT AND AWKWARD TO ZOOM AND ACCESS LENS CONTROL BUTTONS, AS THE SIDE OF THE BRACKET ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE IN THE WAY. THATS FOR A 5D WITH 24-105 IS LENS.BUT THATS THE ONLY COMPLAINT. ITS EASY TO HOLD, MAKES THE CAMERA QUITE HEAVY BUT SURPRISINGLY EASY TO HOLD. GET ONE.....THATS WHAT I SAY." - REPTILIAN, Adorama.com Disappointed in product. "I use a Nikon D2X. The camera never quite fit right in the vertical position -- I had to remove the foam padding on the handle to get it to fit. It did fit at the highest "stage" setting, but then the camera was always wiggly and unbalanced, unstable. It should work better with a smaller camera -- if you can find a way to keep the plastic nuts tight. They loosen very frequently and then the camera shakes back and forth. Not good for me." - Janet, Adorama.com I love the Stroboframe Pro-RL with a D1x
and DB28dx constantly.... - it has a great handle front and center which lets me hold the weight of the camera in my left palm with an adjustable height platform for the camera so I can place it where I can zoom and focus with my left while holding the camera. - it had a kick stand which is nice, but since the stroboframe has a quick release plate built in and I have a background light stand which folds out and sits 3 inches off a table I just added a quick release to the top of that and feel very secure when placing the entire Pro-RL on it rather than using the kick stand. - The Pro-RL has an adjustable height flash arm and it tilts up and down which I have found far more useful than I expected when I first bought it - I also bought the anti-twist plate for the SC-17 so the flash stays straight. Without it, it tended to twist. A decent little $10 investment. - Flipping the camera is relatively smooth and quick althought I have to loosen the camera to move it when I want to change batteries. Slight annoyance there, but I can still get to all of my other controls without any problems. - I also bought the anti-twist plate for the D1x and it fits great! No problems with the camera twisting on the mount even with a heaving 28-70/2.8 AFS mounted on it all of the time and practically staying vertical for days on end. - I have found a few hand grip positions for my right hand for firing the shutter. I actually like changing grips once in a while so I do not get tired. - Since the bracket has the quick release plate built into it, I also put a quick release receiver on my monopod. I pretty much shoot with it on the monopod most of the time. It does get heavy and so this way, my left hand is not getting tired as much if I am shooting from one position the whole time. - The flash bracket arm has a cord holder on the top you can loop the SC17 cord through and then wrap it a few times around the bracket arm to tak up the slack, or buy a short version of the SC17 if you like. Works well to keep it out of the way. - Finally, that curved upward handle on the front is nice for me for holding things. When I am shooting from one place for a while in doors, I can hang my Quantum battery pack from that handle. Remember, I am resting the entire assembly on a monopod anyway.... So am not really holding much it seems. I prefer this instead of clipping the battery pack to my belt or slinging it over my shoulder.
- the Quick release bracket which lets you take the flash off the mounting arm easily does NOT work with the anti-twist plate... Poor design there I think. Of course usage may vary... Remember, I shoot a lot of dance competitions, so I shoot seated down in one place for hours with one lens (28-70/2.8) almost the entire time. Although this past week I traveled with the Cherry Blossom Princesses here in DC and it worked out great too! The only time I had problems was when I wanted to change to a 80-200/2.8 and put the lens mounted to the bracket instead of the camera due to its weight. There's just not easy way to remove it, change lenses and remount it quickly unless you put quick release plates on everything. But this will be a problems with any bracket or monopod you choose. That's really about it. Let me know if you want picts of the whole set up. - Ray Bowers, forums.dpreview.com
Browse flash bracket brands alphabetically: |
||||||
