Evolution of a flash bracket

[rpcrowe]

I originally started this post in response to Brian's thread about using inexpensive gear and in response to Manfred's posting in that thread. However, just like Topsy in the novel Uncle Tom's Cabin" my post just "growed and growed" so I decided to post it in a new thread...

Much of my pleasure in photography (as well as fishing) is using gear that I enjoy using. The photography as well as the fishing gives me as much, if not more, pleasure than the images or fish that are the result of those two activities.

I like working with good gear and I am often disappointed when I go the cheap route in purchasing my gear. However, to paraphrase a quote from Paul David's post above, A good camera today will still be a good camera tomorrow - even though newer cameras with more bells and whistles appear on the scene.

Speaking of enjoyment... Occasionally, very occasionally, I cannot find a piece of gear that absolutely fits my needs. As an example, I love the Stroboframe Camera Flip Flash Bracket and use it for much of my shooting. This has been the end of a long search for a bracket that: 1. I enjoy using and 2. Works very well for me.

All of a sudden, his bracket no longer works for me. Both my 7D2 and my 6D2 cameras are now equipped with battery grips and I will either have these cameras equipped with a Canon Off-Camera sync cord or a Flashpoint (Adorama's version of the Godox) F2 X-1 Transmitter-Receiver. As a result of this increased camera height, I can no longer flip the camera when I want a vertical shot. I need a Stroboframe Mark-II Camera Flip Bracket which is a bit larger than the original Stroboframe unit. Unfortunately, Stroboframe never got around to producing the Camera Flip Bracket on steroids I do not like the present Stroboframe replacement for my bracket. I had been searching for a bracket that would fit my needs and perhaps be even better for those needs than the original Stroboframe Camera Flip Bracket.

I made a mental listing of the problems that I had been having with the bracket:

1. Inability to flip a gripped camera
2. Camera and flash unit tend to twist around the attachment screws
3. The grip portion of the unit is really too small for my hands

Here are some additions I would like to see:
1. Genarally a more hefty unit since I might at times use the AD 360ii flash + modifier
2. Larger grip area to be able to hold the unit better
3. Better method of attaching the flash/camera to prevent twisting
4. Method of attaching the rig to an Arca Compatible clamp on tripod or monopod.

Since I had have not found a unit with which I would be content after researching Stroboframe, Custom Brackets, and other options; I decided to build my own bracket using the camera flip mechanism of the Stroboframe as a basis. My Camera Flip Bracket, itself, is fabricated out of 1/4 inch (~25mm) x 3/4 inch (75mm) aluminum stock. I have some 1/4 inch x 1.25 inch stock which will be the basis for my new and (I HOPE) improved bracket. I will attach the camera/lens in a way that they will not twist and will permanently attach an Arca Compatible plate to the bottom of the bracket. The wider aluminum stock will add a bit of weight to the bracket but, not a great amount.

I have the aluminum stock which only cost me about $6 USD. I am using the camera flip mechanism from my present bracket. I have to buy or borrow a MAPP propane torch to heat the 6061 aluminum stock so I can bend it. This is the same material that the commercial bracket is constructed of. I have an A/C plate ready to attach permanently and I also have some valid ideas on how to prevent camera /flash twisting.

I will post a running comment on the construction of my new bracket as well as some pictures of the finalized bracket. The resultant imagery using this bracket should not be greatly different from that which I get from my present bracket.

Hopefully, I will have the modified bracket done in a couple of days.

[rpcrowe]

The "simple" project has grown into a complicated job. The original Stroboframe bracket is constructed from 1/4" x 1" 6061 aluminum stock. I have some 1/4" x 1.5" 6061 aluminum stock but despite using a MAPP torch, I have not been able to bend the stock. I took it to an aluminum fabrication company and they informed me that my 6061 stock could not be bent and that it would probably crack if I tried heating with the MAPP torch and bending it.

The owner gave me a pair of right angle 1/8" aluminum pieces which I cut off at 1.5" to make brackets. I am fabricating the flash bracket using these right angle pieces to attach te camera plate and the flash plate to the upright plate. I am securing the bracket with 1/4" x 20 screws and cap nuts. I have the upright of the flash bracket attached to the camera plate and will complete the flash bar portion tomorrow. I have the holes drilled to attach the camera flip mechanism.

I will also rig the unit to be able to accept a cold shoe (when shooting with the Canon 600EX RT and X-1 receiver) and a 1/4" x 20 screw for when I am using the Flashpoint (Godox) AD360 TTL flash. I will be able to mount either flash without the problem of the flash rotating due to the torque of whatever modifier I am using.

I will wrap the upright handle with parachute cord to allow a more comfortable hold...

I want to paint the unit black and learned that I need to use a "self-etching" primer to ensure that the paint will adhere to the bracket. It is available at Home Depot at less tan five dollars.

Saving money is not the reason I am fabricating the bracket but, it will actually save me quite a bit of cash. After buying the aluminum stock and the primer, I will have less than twenty dollars invested in my "custom bracket"

[zen]

May I suggest, Richard, either anodizing the aluminum pieces after they are cut, drilled and tapped, but before assembly; or powder coating them instead? Many good pro shops around your area should be able to do either, although you may have to do a telephone search until you find the right one.

But sounds like you have a good design. Now it's the execution that becomes the challenge.

Can't wait to see pics of the finished product. I used to enjoy doing projects like this, but no longer have the space to keep tools, materials, etc. Wish I did.

Good luck.

Zen

[rpcrowe]

Great idea regarding the powder coating. I made a dividing rail to separate my living room from the family room and had it powder coated.

Unfortunately small jobs are often pretty expensive. The aluminum fabricator that I inquired about bending the aluminum stock wanted over fifty dollars for the two 90 degree mends

There is a hobby blacksmith shop in a nearby city park where I might try to get the other half of the aluminum stock bent....

[rpcrowe]

I have modified and/or fabricated virtually from scratch several flash brackets to fill my needs.

The first is a modification of a Custom Brackets Folding “T” Bracket. I don’t like a flash flip bracket. I have modified this bracket to use with my 70-200mm f/4L IS lens with a tripod collar. I have had the Custom Brackets rig for years but, have not used it extensively until I did this modification. I don't like a flash flip bracket because when bouncing the flash and going from a vertical to horizontal position, you need to realign the flash.

On this Custom Bracket CB-T modification, the camera is rotated from portrait to landscape using the collar. The flash is a Godox TT685C and is triggered by a Flashpoint R2T Transmitter. I really like using my 6D Mark-2 camera with the 70-200mm f/4L IS lens and a mini softbox for run and gun fill light portrait work outdoors.

I made the following modifications.

A. The skinny handle of the T Bracket is uncomfortable for my large hands. I did a double wrap of parachute cord covered by electrical tape to build up the size of the upright handle…
B. I added an Arca Compatible clamp which secures the Arca Compatible Bracket on the shoe of my lens quite nicely. I use an Arca Compatible plate when shooting with my 70-200mm f/4L IS lens. My 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II flash has an after-market Kirk tripod collar shoe which is Arca Compatible without using an accessory plate. I added a piece of aluminum plate as a stop which prevents the Arca Clamp from rotating on the attachment screw due to the torque of the heavy lens and camera.
C. I attached a woodworking L bracket between the upright handle and the flash arm of the flash bracket using electrical tape. This serves to prevent the flash handle from rotating. Since I rotate the camera using the lens tripod collar, I don’t need the flash arm to rotate.
D. I added a piece of aluminum stock to the cold shoe that attaches the flash to the flash arm. This acts as a stop and prevents the cold shoe from rotating due to torque - especially when I have a mini softbox attached.



This is a lightweight and very portable rig which with the mini softbox produces quite nice fill light outdoors.



Indoors, it works great with the bounce flash. I usually use a Joe Demb Flash Diffuser Pro diffuser/reflector but, I shot this with the built-in flash card up since it was easier to do...



And I don't have to re position the flash when shifting from horizontal to vertical...



The added bulk of the para cord wind on the handle of the bracket makes it more comfortable to hold and it serves as a handle when I am carrying the rig.



I am just about through with my total renovation of my Stroboframe Camera Flip Bracket which will be a multi use bracket. I am also going to retrofit an ancient Stroboflash twin lens reflex flash bracket into a macro photo flash bracket.

[zen]

A great explanation and photos of your new "tool." My only concern would be that perspiration will make the electrical cord wrapped grip slippery. Did you, by any chance, look at the wrap used on bicycle handlebars or tennis rackets? I understand some have used that material for projects similar to yours with success. Both are designed and made to withstand perspiration without being slippery, and provide a bit of padding.

Looks good, though, and as long as it meets your needs, that's all you can ask for.

Thanks for sharing your project with us.

Zen

[rpcrowe]

Zen...

I am fortunate or unfortunate that I sweat very little. Fortunate in that I don't need to worry about my hands getting slippery (I wonder if this is due to the generally low humidity in my area) and unfortunate in that I don't have the cooling qualities of sweat to any great degree, However, if I tend to have problems with the grip, I will modify it with the type of grip tape you suggested.

I have basically completed the second flash bracket which will allow me to use a camera/lens without a tripod collar and which will also allow me to mount a heavier flash load. I also have two more brackets in the mill for specific situational uses...

My new bracket is built around the camera flip mechanism of my previous Stroboframe Bracket but, I will be able to use the bracket with a single hotshoe flash and modifier, a pair of hotshoe flashes with or without modifiers, or my Flashpoint 360 TTL flash with or without a selection of modifiers. The flash or flashes will be triggered by a Flashpoint R2T trigger and possibly, I might get a Flashpoint R2 Pro trigger.

I am in the process of adding a capability to hold a reflector to get clam shell lighting. I will kind of be a one man band but, I think that my ideas will work pretty well. I just might have a small flash such as the Canon 270EX II (with an R2 Receiver) at the bottom of my flash bracket in order to give the same type of fill light as a reflector but, this will be a bit more manageable - especially in windy conditions...

[zen]

Hi Richard,
You're probably right about the low humidity as a factor in your lack of perspiration. Unfortunately, here in Western New York, and in spite of our proximity to two of the Great Lakes, which DO provide cooling breezes in summer, our typical humidity is in the 60-75% range. Today was a good example. I visited Old Fort Niagara, which is right on the Lake Ontario water, with buildings atop the sea-wall. Hot air temp, and abt 70% humidity, but a very comfortable breeze blowing ashore from the north. A fairly comfortable day, but everyone was perspiring heavily. I ride an electric scooter, and had to make emergency repairs to the rubber hand grip of the steering tiller a week ago- with electrical tape! And while it works, that side of the tiller was wet and slippery. So I must find a length of the other material to replace the black tape.

Anyway, Richard, as long as the rig works for you, that's all that's needed. So, good for you, and Happy Shooting!

Zen

[rpcrowe]

There is a terrific difference in the relative humidities of our areas right along the coast and our areas 20 or so miles inland. I live right about that distance from the ocean and an at an altitude of 1,400 feet which makes a great difference in climate.

In fact, I have read that San Diego County has the largest number and variety of mini climate zones in the nation. This is amply illustrated when I go into the back country to play in the snow with my dog (on the occasions that it does snow) and then come home and strip to shorts and flip flops to wash my car...

I will often forget to wear or bring a jacket when I am going to my daughter's home for dinner. She lives within view of the ocean and I have often been very cold there in the evening - even though it is 80 or 90 degrees where I live....