I usually always use strobes for my work if it is inside. But sometimes I am asked to shoot parties. At the moment I just have a speedlight mounted on the hotshoe of my camera.
Does anyone ever use brakets to get the speedlight a little higher? Ive seen them but dont know much about them and if they are just a waste of money.
Yes, both myself and my son use them for event photography. Be sure you get one that will adjust easily and quickly for both horizontal and vertical shooting. We also use an off camera TTL cord.
I know several other shooters that don't bother with them.
I used to, but now for the rare times I use it on camera, I just bounce and/or use my Flashbender like Neil Van Niekerk's "black foamy thing" (http://neilvn.com/tangents/about/black-foamie-thing). Better results and easier to work with.
photoimager
Posts: 4,111
Stoke-on-Trent, England, United Kingdom
Stroboframe Pro-T user.
The flash flips so that it is always above the lens, not to one side in 'portrait' orientation.
If I need more mobility / flexibility then I'll not use the bracket, holding the flash using the same TTL sync lead as with the bracket. This is OK for short durations but with a gripped 'pro body' and F2.8 zoom I prefer the two handed camera support of using the bracket.
I have a Custom Brackets one and I also have a Really Right Stuff bracket... I'm actually getting rid of the CB one in favor of the RRS one because I can do so much more with the RRS one and it stores much easier. Granted to use the RRS one you need either an L bracket or on a lens with a foot but I've already got those covered...
Mad-Ox Photography wrote: I usually always use strobes for my work if it is inside. But sometimes I am asked to shoot parties. At the moment I just have a speedlight mounted on the hotshoe of my camera.
Does anyone ever use brakets to get the speedlight a little higher? Ive seen them but dont know much about them and if they are just a waste of money.
I've tried all sorts of gadgets and nothing beats it even when I use the flash off camera.
Quantum makes a silver "bare bulb enhancer" which is meant to give you more distance from the bare bulb, but it's also very effective when aimed like the BFT. By flagging the light up close, you're putting the subject in open shade.
I love how you can adjust the white card to either bounce more or less or flip it all the way back and out of the way if need be.
I like brackets for a number of reasons. Higher flash. Stays in position when rotating camera. I can hold on to the handle more securely then I can the camera grip when not shooting.
I love how you can adjust the white card to either bounce more or less or flip it all the way back and out of the way if need be.
I like brackets for a number of reasons. Higher flash. Stays in position when rotating camera. I can hold on to the handle more securely then I can the camera grip when not shooting.
R_Marquez
Posts: 4,575
San Francisco, California, US
I have a couple and I rarely use either for events. Most of the time, I forget I have them. I use it more when I'm using a tripod to easily flip between portrait and horizontal.
I never felt they made that much of a difference when looking at shots that I did with, and without.
Per Rutquist
Posts: 131
Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
When the speedlite is on the camera, the far background will always look dark, no matter where you aim the flash.
If there are only one or two rooms to cover, I'll place a couple of speed-lites in each room, gelled to match the color temp of the existing lights (or window-light). There is usually at least one shelf somewhere that can fit a speed-lite, aimed at the ceiling.
Then I only have to carry a radio transmitter on the camera, and I get natural-looking pictures with no noise or motion blur.
I have used the Stroboframe for the last 9 yrs. and swear by it!!!!!! It's awesome, fast flip for vert. and horz. easy to use.... I use it for everything i do on location wither inside or outside.... get it, you wont be dissapointed, and since your new to the idea of wither to use it or not, by all means use it, it makes a big difference in flash photography good luck!!!
I've tried all sorts of gadgets and nothing beats it even when I use the flash off camera.
Question about the BFT. Is this only good for bouncing light? The video that was on this link only shows bouncing the light. The few times I do use my speedlight it is usually in dark night clubs with dark walls.
Mad-Ox Photography wrote: I usually always use strobes for my work if it is inside. But sometimes I am asked to shoot parties. At the moment I just have a speedlight mounted on the hotshoe of my camera.
Does anyone ever use brakets to get the speedlight a little higher? Ive seen them but dont know much about them and if they are just a waste of money.
Thanks
J.R.
The bracket will do a few things for you
If you shoot the camera in a vertical position, the bracket will flip the flash over the top center of the lens this will give you shadows below your subject, not off to the side
If you shoot a long lens it will raise the flash so the lens will not block the flash and cause a shadow
It will also raise the flash to help reduce the possibility of red eye
Thanks Lee... For my budget right now and seeing how I hardly ever use a speedlight I think I will go with the Stobroframe. It seems to be what Im looking for in the right price range....
Haven't seen one of these used for many years, I still have one someplace, along with the Vivitar bounce card that fits the 283.
Ditto. I know where my bracket and bounce card are stored. What I do not know is how to adapt the shutter release of the new digital button work with the old plunge cable release without getting all Rube Goldberg about it.
Ditto. I know where my bracket and bounce card are stored. What I do not know is how to adapt the shutter release of the new digital button work with the old plunge cable release without getting all Rube Goldberg about it.
i've considered drilling and tapping the shutter release button so that a cable release could be screwed into it like with old film cameras, or mounting a small bracket to the top of the camera with a bit of velcro next to the button that would hold the cable release in position over the button.
i've considered drilling and tapping the shutter release button so that a cable release could be screwed into it like with old film cameras, or mounting a small bracket to the top of the camera with a bit of velcro next to the button that would hold the cable release in position over the button.
You don't want to be drilling into your shutter button. There's a micro switch under it.
You'd be better off to make a release cable by finding a two stage NO push switch wired to the remote shutter release port of your camera (assuming that your camera uses a standard stereo jack for the re ote shutter release).
That way you can still use the handle like you want, without drilling random holes in your camera.
Hey everyone! Another question.. I went and got the Stroboframe and now when I attatch the Canon 420 EX speeed lite the AF assist beam doesnt match up with the AF on the camera. I move it to where it would be close and it works but is there a way that I can resolve this?
When I go into portrait mode I cant get it close with out changing where the AF sensor on the camera is.
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