Flash Brack Recommendations for a Canon 20D

[capreppy]

OK. So I want to get a Flash Bracket. I went to a local store and looked at a couple. Initially, I thought, $60 to $100 wasn't bad. Problem was, when we tried to attach a 20D to the bracket, it wouldn't fit!!!!! We ended up trying out a Flash Bracket from Custom Brackets. Problem is this bracket is $180 for the base, $35 for the 20D Adapter and $30 for the hotshoe adapter. Needless to say, I kinda freaked out. Now we were talking $240 and this is before tax.

I'd like to find something similar to the Custom Brackets that allows quick and easy access to a vertical shooting profile. We're still learning and we do both shooting profiles often trying to find the best way to take the shot. But I really have an issue with paying $nearly $300 for a flash bracket.

Any suggestions?

[Hogleg 44]

FWIW> I have the Custom Bracket. It is a marvelous piece of equipment, but I too baulked at the total cost as you are doing. But it seemed to be the nearest thing to what I wanted, so I closed my eyes and pushed the place order button.!!!!
It is truly over priced as many 'low production' camera equipment items are, but I can vouch for its high quality and precision construction.

[Abel]

i also am leanign towards the custon bracket setup despite the cost. it looks like a very nice piece of equipment

[Jim Victory]

A good flash bracket cost and it really doesn't matter who you get it from. I opted for Wimberley becasue they have a modular syatem that you can add to for various photographic needs. It breaks down and packs small.

Kirk and RRS also make good brackets but again they are expensive. Here is a link to all three.

http://www.tripodhead.com/products/f...acket-main.cfm

http://www.kirkphoto.com/brackets.html

http://reallyrightstuff.com/flash/index.html

[capreppy]

Thanks Jim for the other options. They aren't quite what I was looking for and the prices seem to be close to what the Custom Brackets are. I'm probably going to have to bite the bullet and get the Custom Brackets, but will have to wait a little bit. We're getting the rest of our studio together so this last on our list of things to get.

Hogleg, I'll probably also push the button blindly!!! I guess I should have realized this was going to be an expensive hobby, but dang.

[jeffkohn]

I've been thinking about a flash bracket for a while now too. Thing is I have the requirement of Arca-Swiss compatiblity since I keep an RRS L-Bracket on my camera and love the convenience of the Arca-Swiss system. AFAIK that limits me to just the three choices Jim mentioned. Furthermore the Kirk and RRS solutions are ruled out by the fact that only work with lens collars, they can't be attached to a camera body. So that leave only the Wimberly setup, which when you add quick-flip support (the main reason for wanting a flash bracket IMHO), it adds up to $370. I'm sorry, I don't care how well-made it is, $370 is just way too much. There's just no way I can justify that expenditure for a flash bracket. Especially since the Wimberly + quick-flip apparently doesn't keep the flash vertically oriented, which means I still wouldn't be able to use my Lumiquest ProMax 80/20.

All I really want is one of these with Arca-Swiss mounting capability: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...119&is=REG . Is that really too much to ask for?

[capreppy]

I actually looked at the Strobofome. The issue we had was the 20D with battery grip didn't fit!!! I liked it and the price. Too bad.

That's when I started looking at other options. I keep coming back to the Custom Brackets, but it's darn hard to justify the expenditure. My other biggest issue with the Custom Brackets is that it's really BIG. Kinda curious as to how it will fit in my bag for travel purposes. I've got a Lowepro Photo Trekker, but it's got a lot of stuff in it already.

[Len]

I recently purchased a 10D with a vertical battery grip and didn't even consider flip brackets as a potential problem. I'd better do some homework of my own.

As to your 20D problem:

Just a thought, but have you considered flash brackets made for underwater use? Those guys have all kinds of camera-size and portability problems. The brackets and arms available to them come in all kinds of size, shape and construction/material combinations.

The only drawbacks I can imagine with these is: 1) they are made to position the flash at more than just a 90 degree angle change, so they may be TOO flexible for your needs, 2) diving gear (like anything marine or boat related) can get pretty expensive as a general rule.

A Google search on underwater photography equipment will most likely reveal the major manufacturers, but dig a little deeper because lots of diving inventors start up little companies just for these small, niche needs.

Good luck,
Len

[steve817]

Alot of wedding photographers I know don't use them. They simply use an off camera shoe cord and hold the flash up with one hand and shoot with the other. And yes it does take a while to build your arm up.

Steve

[capreppy]

I'd thought about just hand holding the off camera flash, but have you tried walking around with that much gear in two hands? For me, there is too much possibility for walking into something (table end or that sort) and poof, there goes an expensive flash. Plus, I must admit, I can't see myself hand holding for longer than a few minutes (I'm pretty dang lazy).

The flash bracket does add to the size of the entire carrying rig, but it's one piece that I can keep an eye on.

I'm probably going to bite the bullet and get the Custom Brackets, but that's after I pay for the rest of the studio setup for my fiancee'. BTW, my order for Alien Bees came in and we've had a ton of fun playing around with them.

[Sheldon]

I have Custom Brackets CB Junior. I rarely have a need for one, but its light weight and build well. I use it on a 20D with vertical grip.