Camera Flash Bracket-advice needed.

[hotspur]

Evening Folks.

Just had a play with 50D and 17-55 F2.8 with a EX 430 I purchased a couple of months ago.I was taking photos in a dull lit room with flash pointing up at ceiling,and the little white thing sticking up as well.Well I was just so amazed with results,lovely warm light,but plenty of detail,Thank goddess I will never have to blind anyone again!

Now,I have heard if I can get flash off camera,the results are even better,I have found out about the cable I need,What I require now is advice about these L brackets,I have no idea what they are called or look like,If anyone has a kit set up with one could you please post a photo of it,Or may be someone know a link to a place that sells them.

If I had a photo I may be able to make something up,if not buy the bracket I need,any pointers,most appreciated.Also any pointers on gels and how I put them on flash to get different lighting effects.

thank you-Chris

[leon]

Chris have a look here mate it will give you some idea of what you may be looking for, I have delt with these people many times.

They are great to deal with and very prompt with delivery.

Yea mate the bounce flash of the celing dose work great, another thing I tend to use as well.

Leon.
http://www.kirkphoto.com/

[Dennis]

Check out DDP for their range of “Custom (http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au/custombrackets.htm)” brackets. You’ll also need an off camera flash cord, the Canon part is OC3 also from DDP (http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au/canonflashunits.htm) (Scroll down to bottom of page).

Others links are:
http://www.custombrackets.com/Scripts/default.asp?storemode=y
http://www.newtoncamerabrackets.com/default-old1.htm
http://www.dembflashproducts.com/bracket/
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2808?livid=107|108&idx=113

Cheers

Dennis

[RickS]

Another O/S source of off camera flash gear is Really Right Stuff: http://reallyrightstuff.com/index.html

I have purchased a bunch of panoramic photography gear from them and they have always been prompt and efficient. Their kit has always been very good quality too, but it's not cheap...

Cheers,
Rick.

[Dennis]

+1.

From what I’ve seen, RRS seem to be the Astrophysics/Takahashi of photo accessories such as ball heads, flash brackets, CF tripods, etc. Great designs, functionality and quality from various photography Forum posts.

Cheers

Dennis

[troypiggo]

G'day Chris,

Can I ask why you think you might need a bracket and off-camera flash? What do you intend to shoot with it? Indoors or outdoors? Don't take this the wrong way, but I really think you need to understand flash a little better before you go splashing out on RRS brackets etc. It's likely a waste of money. A flash bracket will not change anything in terms of bounce flash light,.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=171657

Bounce flash off the ceiling is very effective and should suffice most of the time. Obviously depends on the ceiling height and colour. You can get shadows on faces because the light is coming down on them. Play with the angles of the flash to prevent this, or you can use something like the Lumiquest ProMax or Quik Bounce systems that allow most light up to bounce off ceiling, but reflect some light forward to fill those shadows to a certain extent. There's other similar products like Demb Flipits, but I mentioned the LQ ones because I have them. The Quik Bounce is good because you can use it to bounce off the ceiling in both portrait and landscape orientation.

If the ceiling is too high and/or your flash hasn't enough power to be able to bounce, look for a wall. Other than that, treat it as though it's outside.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=177622

For outside, you'd be using your flash directly, and again, most of the time the flash in the hot-shoe of your camera should suffice. Red-eye shouldn't be a problem with speedlites because the light source is sufficiently off-axis.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=750517

Just my 2 cents. If you get really experienced with it and understand it more, you'll know if you need a bracket.

That being said, I have an off-shoe chord I'm about to advertise because I simply don't use it. I also have a flash bracket that I'll be selling, but I got it for macro rather than portraits and don't think it'd be the style you think you want.

I can't recommend strongly enough having a good look/search/trawl, through the POTN flash/lighting section. Search there for brackets, diffusers, bounce flash, etc. Wealth of information. Also check out Strobist.com, THE speedlite lighting mecca.

Now onto gels. Thoroughly recommended reading. Be prepared to stick velcro on your flash, or use one of these cinch straps (http://www.lumiquest.com/products/cinch-strap.htm).

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=218280&highlight=gel
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=415671
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101-using-gels-to-correct.html
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/08/rosco-thinks-big-by-thinking-small.html
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2007/05/keep-tabs-on-your-gels.html
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2008/10/gels-new-developments.html

[Dennis]

Shame on you Troy, for trying to talk Chris out of acquiring more photography gadgets and accessories!:lol:

Getting them is half the fun!;)

Cheers

Dennis

[troypiggo]

Absolutely! :) But it's all about acquiring the right toys. ;)

[hotspur]

Firstly,let me say thank you to everybody who has replied with information,it has been very useful,also a big thank you to another chap who read my enquiry,and offered me a bracket,as he does'nt use it much anymore,He is bringing it up next week to the new moon weekend.

Yes,Troy,I understand that flash light/lighting is a vast topic-with a many angles,that no one person could ever learn everything,Yes-from your reply it would appear there is'nt a great deal of difference between either on top or on a bracket.

I was'nt planning to go out spending a vast amount of money on such things in the near future-I had a look in shed today,and noticed some aluminum and could make something up,but thanks to David,I will be right to play around with his bracket.

Why do I need one,well-I have noticed a few applications it may be useful.My 60 mm macro arrives shortly,and macro looks like a very interesting photographic pursuit,I also take photos of models trains and toys for various magazines,so could be useful in that area.

I planned to buy a Ex530 flash,but Tony had his Ex430 for sale a couple of months ago,At a price I could'nt refuse.I still plan to buy a EX530,and would have still got the 430,but just the other way round.I would really be interested in learning to use the two together-master-slave,also I hear you can by spill boxes etc,etc,put them on light stands,and do all sorts of interesting things with that combo and its accersories,yes I know you can buy cheaper lighting,but with set up its extremely portable.

Dennis,is coming up for a visit one day,so no doubt we can have a look at his ex 530 and my ex430 working as a combo,and learn something from it.

The type of use for the flash work,is to be inside,so with what you mention Troy,it would appear likely I may not need the bracket.But will play around with the one kindly donated.

I notice Dennis made a very interesting item to hold his EX 530,fot his macro work,and the results looked stunning!

Lighting is an amazing subject,and I'd like to learn about it.

RE Troys' of bracket cord you may be selling-is that the canonOC-3? or a longer non-canon one?I may be interested.

Thanks again everyone,cheers Chris:thumbsup:

[ZeroID]

Blinding light, Flash Bracket ?

I'm a long time photog, try a diffuser, make your own.
A piece of white paper taped over the flash head in a half circle will diffuse and spread the flash coverage.
Many suppliers sell a translucent plastic 'box' to fit on the front of the flash which does the job nicely.
No redeye, no bright noses and harsh reflections.

Have fun playing with light.... :D

[troypiggo]

Yep - DIY bounce cards. Good stuff.

@ Chris - PM replied. I have the genuine Canon chord.

[hotspur]

Thanks Troy and Brent.

yes I have had a play around with the EX 430,it really is amazing,and quite capable of a lot more than I expected.It also has a great FOI (fun on investment) factor!!

I really like how the head tilts around in all different directions,this allow great use of ceilings and roof.I will have a look at Dennis's Lumiquest box Troy when he comes up,David has offered me his Bracket and some other gear to play around with,before I go making any major purchases Troy,so don't worry I will not be purchasing any major items in a big hurry.

But it does appear you are right,that for most of my applications the ex 430 seting on top will do very nicely,if there is no wall or ceiling I have some off cuts of jip-rock that will suffice,by some holding them.Lighting does appear one area,where the handy amatuer photographer can save some money.(for once!)

Ok,thanks all for your help and links:thumbsup::thanx:

[acropolite]

Chris, for a flash diffuser you could do this (http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Gary-Fong-Lightsphere/)