Why do YOU use a flash bracket? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

11/13/2005 10:47:24 AM · #1

Why? Why? What is the benefit?

:) Eric

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

11/13/2005 10:52:09 AM · #2

Gets the flash further away from the lens. This helps reduce red eye and also creates more pleasing shadows and less flat subjects.

henry_buckle

Canon EOS-20D

11/13/2005 10:54:30 AM · #3

Thats crazy I was just wondering that myself, I think it is to make the flash more level with the lens. As far as i know and the diagrams ive seen it makes the flash closer to the lens, which would mean a more direct flash (i dont know why yould want that though).

Correct me if im wrong

11/13/2005 10:55:37 AM · #4

Keeps the flash ABOVE the camera - even when the camera is turned to portrait mode. This helps hide shadows which then go down behind the person. If the flash were mounted "on camera" and then tipped to the side, then you get annoying side shadows.

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

11/13/2005 10:56:07 AM · #5

Shadows! When you turn the camera to vertical with the flash on top, you get nasty shadows to the side of the person. I use the Stroboframe Pro-RL which is much easier and more comfortable than a simple "flip" bracket.

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

11/13/2005 10:59:21 AM · #6

... and ... 'cause your average camera owner doesn't use one ... it means you look more professional. :-)

Canon EOS-60D

11/13/2005 11:01:46 AM · #7

Originally posted by dwterry:

... and ... 'cause your average camera owner doesn't use one ... it means you look more professional. :-)

Yeah, it increases the badassedness quotient by a factor of 10 I believe. ;)

11/13/2005 11:05:08 AM · #8

Originally posted by henry_buckle:

I think it is to make the flash more level with the lens. As far as i know and the diagrams ive seen it makes the flash closer to the lens

I'm not sure what you're looking at... so here's a picture of the one I use:

The camera sits at the bottom of the C shape (which freely rotates while keeping the bracket itself upright). The flash connects to the bar at the top - well away from the lens. The increased distance avoids red-eye and, as mentioned, provides better shadows with a light source that stays above the subject (the way the sun, or lights, do) rather than being positioned down to the side of the subject as the camera is turned.

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

11/13/2005 11:06:34 AM · #9

Originally posted by laurielblack:

Originally posted by dwterry:
... and ... 'cause your average camera owner doesn't use one ... it means you look more professional. :-)

Yeah, it increases the badassedness quotient by a factor of 10 I believe. ;)

...then add an inverted plastic milk bottle on your flash and that factor increases by 100 ;)

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

11/13/2005 11:25:53 AM · #10

Regarding the red eye, does anyone have a problem using a external (add on) flash (like the 580)? I've never had red eye once.. BUT, as for using the camera with flash vertically, I can understand the benefit. Does anyone have a second to shoot an example of what it looks like both ways (shooting vertical attached and shooting vertical on a bracket)? I think it'd make a great learning experience for many of us... :)

Thanks,
Eric

notesinstones

Nikon D200

11/13/2005 11:31:51 AM · #11

Originally posted by doctornick:

...then add an inverted plastic milk bottle on your flash and that factor increases by 100 ;)

Bwahaha! I thought I was the only one who did that.... Everyone always asks why I have half a one dangling from my camera bag...

11/13/2005 12:41:12 PM · #12

Originally posted by eslaydog:

No one up for the challenge?

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

11/13/2005 01:22:16 PM · #13

Here's a picture I found on the internet. This is of a P&S camera, but it's the same idea. Flash bracket with camera in place demonstrating horizontal and vertical positioning of the camera:

KevinRiggs

Canon EOS-1Ds

11/13/2005 03:34:28 PM · #14

I thought I posted some of these for you before. Here's the Newton Di400CR flashbracket in several different orientations and from different angles.

I'm with the others on keeping the shadows down behind the subjects instead of getting them to either side or even high enough behind the subject where they're visible. Red eye is also a factor in low light settings like some of the cavernous church settings we shoot in.

As for "badassedness" I think laurielblack owes Jacko a nickel or something.

Kev

Message edited by author 2005-11-13 15:34:48.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

11/14/2005 01:47:02 PM · #15

Kevin, you did show me this before... thanks. I was actually wanting to see what a flash portrait (ie like in a wedding situation) would look like with the bracket, and without to see the difference (benefit) of using a bracket to make better shadows... So it was the results I was hoping to see, not the setup! :)

Anyone have a sec. to fire off some samples?
Thanks guys!
Eric

Message edited by author 2005-11-14 13:48:33.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

11/14/2005 02:31:30 PM · #16

Originally posted by eslaydog:

Anyone have a sec. to fire off some samples?

Eric

Nope

JRalston

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

11/14/2005 02:33:44 PM · #17

Originally posted by laurielblack:

ROFL!!! That is the only reason I bought an L lens, ya know ;o) j/k of course