Off Camera Flash Bracket
Mel Brown
> I would like to buy a flash bracket to hold a flash off-camera. I have a Canon
> Elan (not II). I'm using a Canon 380EX flash. Any suggestions?
Charley, my personal choice is the Siegelite bracket. It has a friction joint that
lets you swivel the camera horizontal/vertical beneath the flash. You can adjust
the friction joint to accommodate light or heavy cameras. Adjust it once, then
forget it. I have two of these brackets, one holding a 35mm, the other holding a
medium format camera. A very useful feature is that even in horizontal camera
orientation, you can swing the flash across the top of the camera to the upper
right. This is very useful when photographing two or 3 people, as it lets you place
the shadow exactly where you want it. The vertical flash position is adjustable
from 12 to 21 inches above the camera base plate. Another friction joint at the top
lets you pivot the flash downward for close shots or upward for bounce lighting.
The bracket has a place for a cable release, and the new models have a built-in PC
connector reforming tool. B&H sells the Siegelite; you can see a photo at:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/photo/acc/brackets/siegelite.html
For a shoe-mount flash, you will need a PC to shoe adapter with a 1/4-20 threaded
hole in the bottom, about $10 at any camera store. I'm sure B&H has those, too.
Mel Brown
CMays
Elan (not II). I'm using a Canon 380EX flash. Any suggestions?
Charley
D.Grabowski
Charley,
I use the newton bracket in 35mm, seems to me the model is N7000 but
other models are available too.This is a camera mounted bracket and
lets the flash sit several inches above the camera. This one is made
for smaller SLRs, allows for rotation of the camera under the flash
and the flash remains directly over the lens throughout the rotational
degrees. It has a handle with foam covering and a cable release,
accepts shoe mount flashes as is . The cost is about $100, works
great.
Regards,
David Grabowski
nye...@mediaone.net
cm...@aol.com (CMays) wrote:
> I would like to buy a flash bracket to hold a flash off-camera. I have a
Canon
> Elan (not II). I'm using a Canon 380EX flash. Any suggestions?
> Thanks,
> Charley
>
1-888-417-5370 Newtons are the best!!..IMHO..Eddie Wiseman
--
Eddie Wiseman
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Mel Brown
> Charley, get onto...... www.newtoncamerabrackets.com or call bob Newton at
> 1-888-417-5370 Newtons are the best!!..IMHO..Eddie Wiseman
Eddie, you may have seen my post recommending the Siegelite bracket to Charley.
Two things I like about it that seem to be missing in the Newton and the
Stroboframe are: the ability to raise the flash another 9" above its lowest
position and the ability, even with the camera horizontal, to swing the flash over
to the right a few inches to place the shadow where it looks best.
I don't mean to say, "My bracket's better than your bracket," because I've never
held a Newton, but was wondering whether you've seen the Siegelite.
Regards,
Mel Brown
Doug Edington
offerings, but the StroboFrame Pro Rl will, in fact, raise the flash a good
7 and 1/2 inches. I don't know about the others, but my reason for the
purchase was to eliminate shadows..not move them. This model is used with my
nikon 35mm's and RB67.
Doug Edington
CMays wrote in message <19981110220811...@ng26.aol.com>...
Mel Brown
> ..Don't want to start a long unnecessary thread about some of the other
> offerings, but the StroboFrame Pro Rl will, in fact, raise the flash a good
> 7 and 1/2 inches. I don't know about the others, but my reason for the
> purchase was to eliminate shadows..not move them. This model is used with my
> nikon 35mm's and RB67.
Doug, no contest intended, merely a proclamation. Maybe this is just a matter of
semantics. All small lights create harsh shadows, so to ELIMINATE shadows, one
must use a very large light, not a very small one, such as a direct flash. It
follows that raising a flash above the lens doesn't eliminate shadows; it just
moves them downward. Sometimes, that's not enough.
For example, occasionally when shooting two people, their faces will overlap
just enough that a flash directly overhead will cast the shadow of the near
person onto the face of the other person. Not good. Also not correctable with a
Stroboframe or Newton. With the Siegelite, I just swing the friction-jointed
flash arm left or right to move the shadow off into oblivion! I cannot imagine
operating any other way. I am spoiled.
The Siegelite bracket, not hampered with a design expecting either horizontal or
vertical camera orientation, allows one to use the right hand to swing the
camera into the desired orientation, then intuitively use the left hand to swing
the flash arm left or right to place the inevitable shadow into the least
objectionable spot.
Siegelite has also thoughtfully provided a telescoping mechanism that allows
varying the elevation of the flash from 12" to 21" above the camera base. As I
am sure you know, the absolute vertical distance, whether 7.5" with the
Stroboframe, or an infinitely adjustable 12-21" with the Siegelite, relates to
the subject as an angular function of distance. For example, if you photograph a
subject from 5' with your bracket-mounted flash 10" above the lens, then move
out to 10' from your subject, you must raise your flash from 10" to 20" to
maintain the same lighting angle. Unless I have misunderstood something, neither
Stroboframe nor Newton provides this vertical extension capability.
So who cares? Well, I do, because when shooting a group of 12 or so from 15' or
so, I jack it up, shove the shadows down, and NEVER get redeye.
Additionally, when I move in close, the upper articulation joint of the
Siegelite lets me tilt my flash downward (or upward for bounce) effortlessly. No
fixed, 3-degree downturn built in to my bracket. I can also turn the flash
left/right 360 degrees for bounce lighting. Whatever I need, I get, whenever I
need it. Also, I never heard of an "anti-twist plate" until I looked into the
Stroboframe brackets. Siegelite needs no such device.
The Siegelite is made of Lexan, the stuff of which airliner windshields are
made. Easily adjustable to support 35mm or medium format cameras. Never tried to
break either of my Siegelites, but never heard one crack, either.
Regards,
Mel Brown
D.Grabowski
wrote:
Mel,
It's time to make the switch, your probably tired of making photos
anyway, have you considered selling for Siegelite. Your so good at
pumping this product up I'm real close to investigating it. I used to
talk up the Newton brackets a couple years back , but I don't think
any of my posts could hold a candle to the promo quality of your
enthusiasm about that bracket!!!
Best regards,
David Grabowski
>
Mel Brown
> It's time to make the switch, your probably tired of making photos
> anyway, have you considered selling for Siegelite. Your so good at
> pumping this product up I'm real close to investigating it. I used to
> talk up the Newton brackets a couple years back , but I don't think
> any of my posts could hold a candle to the promo quality of your
> enthusiasm about that bracket!!!
Well, I guess I do go on a bit! Oh, and did I forget to mention that it is
aerodynamically shaped and finished in professional black? I'd suggest we swap
brackets for a couple of weeks, David, but I'm afraid I'd never get my Siegelite
back.... [:-)
Regards,
Mel Brown