I spoke to Robert Newton on the phone this morning and explained to him that I had been using (and was a big fan of) the Stroboframe VH2000 bracket but wanted something built even better and slightly larger to accomodate my Nikon 28-70mm f2.8 lens.
He suggested I try his Di100FRS bracket. It is essentially the same as the Stroboframe VH2000 (they copied his concept) but uses milled aluminum instead of stamped metal. Also, it should be slightly easier to hold with a vertical grip. I will use this with a Nikon SB-800 flash / SC-28 cord, so I also needed to buy the 2-101/02 adapter to fit it.
In the end, this thing is going to cost me just under $200 with shipping.
Is it worth it? We'll see. I'll report back once I get it.
I'll be using this setup with a D100 and MB-D100 vertical grip along with my 28-70mm f2.8 and the SB-800 flash modified with a Lightsphere II.
Looks like a great bracket. I love the FR2 folding design. Since I'm using a Lightsphere II my flash is typically on camera. Personally, I've found that the setup gets really unwieldy with the flash and Lightsphere on my Pro T. Look forward to reading your report!
He pointed me to a new site under construction which shows the new "S" version I'm getting, but since it's not "published" yet, I'd rather not send people there without his permission.
The new "S" version will make it easier to hold a vertical grip and the distance to the side of the lens will be adjustable (this is what I really needed). Apparently the "S" version is not yet available through B&H and other retailers.
akivisuals wrote:
Looks like a great bracket. I love the FR2 folding design. Since I'm using a Lightsphere II my flash is typically on camera. Personally, I've found that the setup gets really unwieldy with the flash and Lightsphere on my Pro T. Look forward to reading your report!
Newton's brackets as well as the Stroboframe VH2000 are ultra COMPACT brackets. I've been saying for a while now that the large brackets like my old Stroboframe R7 or your Pro-T may not be the best choices for the new digital cameras and lenses. These cameras are just getting too heavy to deal with and adding the size and weight of big heavy brackets don't help either.
This new Newton bracket is 8.5 ounces... a whole half an ounce lighter than the VH2000.
Oh, regarding the folding version called the FR2, I was a bit skeptical about this (may be unwaranted) because I wonder how stable the bracket will be if the vertical arm can swing. If that screw loosened up, will your flash just come tumbling down?
Stroboframe's folding bracket reminds me of this potential problem too. Although convenient to store, isn't the real point of a bracket to get good light and to keep the flash mounted sturdily?
The check goes in the mail today to Robert Newton in Florida. Let's see how fast I get the bracket.
I use the Di100FR for all my wedding work and it is incredible. Very stong. The flash rotates nicely. It really works well. Robert Newton is great also. Very helpful!!
That's great to hear. The "s" version should allow easier access to the vertical grip. It is the same basic layout as the folding FR2 design, except it doesn't fold.
I think the design of the non-"s" version looks like it would be a stronger bracket based on where the center connection on the base is located, but we'll see.
I agree... Robert Newton was great on the phone. He gave me a little "history" lesson on how he had designed the bracket and that Stroboframe had designed a similar bracket to his with the VH2000. But he claimed that his was still better (of course!) and that it should be sturdier... which is one reason I wanted it. I hope the bracket will give enough clearance for my 28-70mm f2.8 lens since that is the main reason I needed to find an alternative. That Nikon lens is huge!
I just received my Newton Di100FRs bracket today! That was quick!
Here's my report:
At first, I was surprised at how small and light the package was... but then again, I remembered that was one of the main reasons I wanted one of these things!
My first impression was... wow, this thing is really well built. But why is it all scratched up? I had read from another post on some website that the guy who wrote the article mentioned the same thing. I'm not talking big scratches, but very small ones which of course detracts from the overall feeling of "new." I was a little disappointed in that. But it's nothing a quick touchup from a "Sharpie" marker pen couldn't fix. As this is an anodized black bracket, any little nick is going to take that finish off.
Anyway, after I got over the small finish imperfections (nothing that affects the use of the bracket), I started setting it up. Everything is held together by hex screws and three hex drivers are included (as well as the screws necessary to mount the bracket to the camera and the flash holder to the bracket.)
Everything is very precision made on this thing! I was impressed by the fact that this bracket does not flex like the Stroboframe VH2000. It's strong! Another reason I wanted to switch to something else.
The 2-101/02 accessory (really a NECESSORY) that attaches my SB-800 flash to the bracket was screwed on and I was disappointed that the flash was extended so far forward on the bracket. It hung out to the outer rim of my 28-70mm f2.8 lens! Then it occurred to me that I could reverse mount the thing! After removing it and turning it 180 degrees, the flash now sits even closer to the body than the VH2000! Now I'm impressed! And, the design is so good that it really looks custom made for the SC-28 cord (the SC-29 is not recommended for use with this bracket.) Keep in mind though, if you do this and do not use a vertical grip, the clearance of the flash to the hand grip of your camera will be too close when rotated vertically. You can only do this if you use a vertical grip. Otherwise, you must attach the accessory as suggested.
The bracket itself is attached to the camera with its own quick release plate. The plate stays on the camera and is also mounted to the tripod socket of your camera base by a hex screw. The bracket then slides into the plate and screws on by a knurled knob. Very cool.
The flash rotation system (also adjusted by hex screws) works pretty much like the VH2000, but better. The finish is so good that you can't even see the rotator arms. They fit inside the bracket when rotated. Great engineering.
Another thing is that this bracket, although compact and lightweight, actually fits my 28-70mm f2.8 Nikon lens! The VH2000 fits too, but since it flexes, it can easily rub up against the lens. When the Di100FRs is extended to the max, there's plenty of room for that huge lens and it doesn't rub.
Oh, I should mention that I use my D100 with the MB-D100 vertical grip attached. With this new bracket, it's really easy to use the vertical grip. There's plenty of room for your hand. The strange part is, that even though this bracket is even more compact that the VH2000, it's actually got more room to use the grip! You do have to stretch a little with your "trigger" finger to use it, but I've got big hands.
Th last cool thing about this bracket is that the tripod mount is not at the base of the camera anymore once you place your camera and flash on it. It's located at the juncture of the vertical extension of the bracket. This means the center of gravity with that huge 28-70mm lens is better situated! VERY NICE! I can put my removable plate from my various tripod heads on this bracket and leave it there! And, it doesn't interfere with the bracket operation at all. I can now just put the camera on a tripod whenever I want and not worry about the head's plate being in my way when I shoot vertical with the vertical grip.
Is the Newton worth the almost $200 I spent on it? Yes! I admit, it's expensive for what it is. But it accomplishes everything I expected it to do. So for me, it was money well spent. I will probably invest some more and get the quick release for the flash assembly and another mount so I can attach my beloved Vivitar 283's to it as well. Once that Nikon SB-28 cable is attached to the bracket, it doesn't come off without a quick release.
One negative however, it doesn't "stand" up by itself when set down on a table. The weight of everything makes it fall over. You have to lay your camera on it's side if you put it down. It's a function of the compactness of the bracket. Oh well... I hold my camera all day at weddings anyway!
I recommend anyone who wants a bracket that is ULTRA compact and lightweight to investigate these Newton brackets. It will surprise you how well designed it is and how well it executes in flash rotation.
Let me know if any of you get one of these things!
Man, I think you are the one recommended the VH2000 way back when and I have it in the shopping cart in B&H and ready to be checked out with my lens and other stuff. I will hold off the VH2000 and check out the Newton. I am glad I checked this post before I click the checkout button in B&H this morning.
I too want a compact light weight bracket for my heavy 1D2 and Contax ND body. The quick release plate is a great plus for me since the custom bracket I have is pain in the xxx to attach to the camera. Custom Bracket only make QR plates for the medium format bracket.
Albert4321 wrote:
Man, I think you are the one recommended the VH2000 way back when and I have it in the shopping cart in B&H and ready to be checked out with my lens and other stuff. I will hold off the VH2000 and check out the Newton. I am glad I checked this post before I click the checkout button in B&H this morning.
I too want a compact light weight bracket for my heavy 1D2 and Contax ND body. The quick release plate is a great plus for me since the custom bracket I have is pain in the xxx to attach to the camera. Custom Bracket only make QR plates for the medium format bracket.
I still recommend the VH2000. But if you aren't opposed to paying the big bucks for the Newton, by all means check it out. Keep in mind that B&H does not have this new "S" series in stock yet. I contacted Robert Newton directly to get it. I never saw the non-S version except in pictures, but I can tell you, you will want the "S" version. It moves the bracket away from the center of the camera to the far right so that you can hold the bracket easier on a vertical grip.
Visit Newton's website and call Robert Newton. I'm sure B&H won't be too happy that they might lose a retail sale to the manufacturer himself, but at least Robert is not discounting it below what B&H would have sold it for either. That's good for the retailer (bad for us!! ), but I understand the dynamics of keeping good relationships with dealers. Until B&H starts stocking the "s" version, I suggest everyone to contact the manufacturer directly and ordering the S version.
Don't want to start a war between the dealer and the manufacturer, but that's the fact right now. You can only get the S from Robert currently.
Great writeup, a bit off topic but does the VH2000 have a quick relase system for the bracket like the Newton? I hate the idea of having to screw the whole bracket on and off instead of just screwing a plate and then sliding the bracket on and off the plate.
Yeah, without QR, it is pain in the xxx to mount the camera, especially if you have heavy body/lens and a relatively heavy flash head like the T4D, multiple bodies make thing more headache on location. So I think one should get the bracket that supports QR.
Buying a bracket is like buying a house. First, I like the VH2000 for its light wt., then the Newton looks much better. Now, I have my eyes on the RRS. These three bracket keeps the flash head upright after it rotates, it has less stress on the shoe mount, and when you point the flash head upright, you don't have to re-adjust it after the flash is rotated.
I've been using a newton bracket for quite a while and love it. I forget the model # that I have (it's probably changed by now anyway) but it uses an Arca-Swiss type quick release system to attach to the camera. The same standard plate on the camera attaches to the bracket or my tripod - very conveiant. The bracket itself is also grooved to fit in the Arca-Swiss clamp, allowing you to mount the camera to the bracket and the bracket to the tripod. The grooved base also allows the bracket to stand on its own. I think the the bracket design was aimed at macro shooters, but I love it for general use.
