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looking for bracket that flips the right direction, and gives access to camera grip

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chasg

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Hi All,

Since one of my Nikon SB-800 flashes blew up the other day, I had to replace it quickly (had another job soon after). I took the opportunity to purchase a Quantum qflash (nice unit, extra power saved me at the second job).

Right now, I'm looking for a bracket that will allow me to hold the camera normally, and flip it in the correct direction (counter clockwise) so that the flash still is centred over the lens, but that also allows use the vertical shutter releases on my cameras. My reasons are below.

When I bought the qflash, I bought a Quantum flip bracket at the same time (fyi: this flash doesn't shoe-mount, and the Quantum bracket was the only bracket that this store happened to have, and time was too tight to shop for another). I'm not liking it at all. It's not the weight (I'm a pretty big guy), but other issues:

1) if I have the vertical arm on the left (usual spot, from what I understand), then I have to flip the camera clockwise, meaning that my vertical shutter release is not accessible (I'm using both D2X and Fuji S5 with MB-200 grip)

2) if I have the vertical arm on the right (so that I can flip the camera counter-clockwise and use the vertical shutter releases), then I have to position the camera quite far to the left on the horizontal arm in order to fit my hand between the vertical arm of the grip and the camera. This is the only way I can use all of the camera controls and flip it the right direction. Problem is, the horizontal plate of the grip digs into my hand as I hold the grip of the camera (this is going to cause blisters on long jobs).

Can anyone suggest a bracket that will do what I need it to?

fyi: I'm in the UK, shipping from the US is prohibitive! (waay too much extra charges upon arriving here )

Thanks in advance for any advice,

Chas
 
The stroboframe pro-T will let you rotate counter clockwise but you will have your right hand over the base of the grip and the pro-t is rather small for the D2X but works. The cost is about $100.00 US.
Dwayne
 
Hi Jon,

I have sent an email in to Robert, thanks for the pointer (I really like the flash rotator, compact design, and there is even a folding one!)

Hope the penalty of shipping from the US to the UK isn't too high (I normally don't buy from the US, mainly because of warranty problems, but I don't anticipate this bracket breaking down).

Chas
Jon Laye said:
http://www.newtoncamerabrackets.com/new_page_10.htm
Click to expand...
 
Hi John, thanks for the pointer.

I know that RRS has an almost legendary reputation, and this bracket looks really nice. Of course, I'd have to get the bracket, a camera plate and a plate for the qflash. I know you get what you pay for, but this is a lot, yikes! (shipping to the UK, plus duty plus VAT is also an issue). I really do wish that I could get this bracket, it does look sweet.

I have found a wedding pro bracket, which they've got in their catalog, but for some strange reason they don't have on the website (how weird is that?). I love the way that one folds down, but it does look a little, well, flexible.

Glad that there are options :-)

Thanks again for the pointer,

Chas
wilcox57 said:
Really Right Stuff has a Portrait Package which also does what you
want. I like the look of it better than the Di 400CR but it is
more expensive - $330 as against $209. It can be found at
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/flash/index.html

--
John Wilcox
Click to expand...
 
chasg said:
Of course, I'm only getting bigger...
Click to expand...
Is that humanly possible? I can foresee a documentary on the horizon... 'the physiological effect on the human buttocks from constantly carrying a 120KG packpack of Nikon gear'
chasg said:
How are you guys doing? Wanna come and play with my new qflash? :-)
Click to expand...
Actually, I probably would! Can you get it to do some sort of FP/high speed sync mode? I've struggled recently with a couple of situations to get enough power for fill in the bright lighting we've had. I've almost considered using the E10 so at least I can shoot full power at 1/640 sec in normal (non FP) mode!

I take it you're not going to London today? I don't think the Kodak crew are going, but some of the Oly gang are meeting up. I can't make it unfortunately - too much to do and too knackered :-(

We should try and organise another DPR get together at some point in the summer maybe?

G.
 
Hi Dwayne, thanks for the input.

Good info, thanks. My hands are big enough to go around the Quantum bracket I've already got, so unless the bottom plate of the stroboframe is really thick, I'm hoping it'll be ok (but, with quick-release plate mounted still further on that, I don't know...)

US$100 is a compelling price though, and I'm sure that I can find one for sale here in the UK (rather than shipping all the way from the US).

Thanks again!

Chas
Dwayne Anders said:
The stroboframe pro-T will let you rotate counter clockwise but you
will have your right hand over the base of the grip and the pro-t
is rather small for the D2X but works. The cost is about $100.00 US.
Dwayne
Click to expand...
 
Hey, don't exaggerate! My backpack only weighs 100Kg.

From what I understand (early days yet), the Qflash won't do a high speed sync (one thing that my SB-800s will do that this unit can't). I forsee a lot of f22 daylight shots in my future...to be honest though, I do have some ND4 and ND8 filters, I might try them out to bring the shutter speed down for the daylight shots (ok, maybe not the ND8). How about losing two stops with a circular polariser instead and get those great skies as a bonus?

The good thing is: the weather is cr*p these days here in the good 'ole UK, so no worries about bright daytimes! (whee)

As for going to London today: I'm already here! (umm, 'cause I live here). I didn't know about any photo day though, not that great for it as it's raining as I type (yuk).

When we do get another summer (remember last summer? You know, in April?), another DPR safari has got to be in the works! Where should we go next? (we should head east, to the coast, and get great landscapes! We can all stay at your place, eat all of your food, drink your beer, and make right nuisances of ourselves! Yep, now that's a plan...)

Chas
Big Ga said:
chasg said:
Of course, I'm only getting bigger...
Click to expand...
Is that humanly possible? I can foresee a documentary on the
horizon... 'the physiological effect on the human buttocks from
constantly carrying a 120KG packpack of Nikon gear'
Big Ga said:
How are you guys doing? Wanna come and play with my new qflash? :-)
Click to expand...
Actually, I probably would! Can you get it to do some sort of
FP/high speed sync mode? I've struggled recently with a couple of
situations to get enough power for fill in the bright lighting
we've had. I've almost considered using the E10 so at least I can
shoot full power at 1/640 sec in normal (non FP) mode!

I take it you're not going to London today? I don't think the Kodak
crew are going, but some of the Oly gang are meeting up. I can't
make it unfortunately - too much to do and too knackered :-(

We should try and organise another DPR get together at some point
in the summer maybe?

G.
Click to expand...
 
I can speak highly for Robert Newton, I would be confident that if you needs any parts he would send them out to do. He makes the brackets in his machine shop at his home. As far as shipping to UK, I have no idea what issues are involved but I would think Fed-Ex would get it to you.

Jon
 
--there are several models. I got a Flash Flip VF, plus they have a Hand On Top model. Check B&H.
 
Hi Jeff,

I've found the little one (stroboflip?) here, but I'd need more clearance (tall camera, plus Quantum TTL unit). The Press-T looks like just the ticket, but I haven't found it for sale here in the UK yet.

Thanks for the pointer!

Chas
Jeff Behm said:
http://tiffen.com/displayproduct.html?tablename=stroboframe&itemnum=300-450

Is Tiffen distributed in the UK? These are great brackets, and
I've used mine nearly 20 years, from medium format to digital today
without fail.

--
jrbehm
http://www.studiob-productions.com
Click to expand...
 
Hi Nadine, thanks for the recommendation.

I've found the small flip version here in the UK (unfortunately, a bit small for my needs). I haven't found the "Hand On Top" model after looking through B&H's site, could you post a link?

Cheers!

Chas
Nadine Ohara said:
--there are several models. I got a Flash Flip VF, plus they have
a Hand On Top model. Check B&H.
Click to expand...
 
Hi Jon,

I've been in email contact with Robert. Nice guy. He's never shipped to the UK before (surprising, I'm sure his stuff would do well here), but he's willing to try! He's pointed out, though, that the flash rotator will block the Quantum TTL adaptor when mounted on the camera. The flash riser may make room, but I'm not quite sure, and it's a lot of money to spend merely hoping that the solution works out. I haven't decided yet, but he's being very polite about it.

Thanks again for the recommendation,

Chas
Jon Laye said:
I can speak highly for Robert Newton, I would be confident that if
you needs any parts he would send them out to do. He makes the
brackets in his machine shop at his home. As far as shipping to
UK, I have no idea what issues are involved but I would think
Fed-Ex would get it to you.

Jon
Click to expand...
 
chasg said:
I've found the little one (stroboflip?) here, but I'd need more
clearance (tall camera, plus Quantum TTL unit). The Press-T looks
like just the ticket, but I haven't found it for sale here in the
UK yet.
Click to expand...
Chas,

While I stand behind the R4b, if you can find them, I would recommend a look at the Quickflip 120 or 350 over the Stoboflip (which is only 8.5 inches high). I have a 350 in addition to the R4b and use it often. Also the QR 66 might work for you. Did you check Tiffen's site for a "Search for Dealers" function listing either UK or EU vendors?
--
jrbehm
http://www.studiob-productions.com
 
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