p.1 #1 · Critique of RRS Off Cam Pro Flash Bracket?
Anyone use the Really Right Stuff off camera flash brackets for portraits or photographing a wedding reception? I am not a portrait photographer and I am considering one of their brackets for occasional use for family portraits and/or candid shots at social gatherings of people where you just walk around and grab shots as you can. TIA (Nikon D300 & Nikon SB800 X 2)
No negative feedback at all... Mind you if you are bouncing flash of a wall or ceiling, you probably don't need them as both Nikon and Canon flash can be angled in Landscape and portrait etc.
Any questions ask. Hope this helps. PS Nice people to deal with too.
p.1 #3 · Critique of RRS Off Cam Pro Flash Bracket?
Bill,
I have been through several brackets, including the RRS Portrait Bracket mentioned by Chalres above (IMHO too bulky, but a real quality piece of work) , stroboframe proT, pressT (both adequate very functional, but hard to pack)
I currently have the wedding bracket by RRS.
Excellent, small package makes easy to pack and have available.
it does require a Arca type plate and is much more versatile with the "L" brackets.
p.1 #4 · Critique of RRS Off Cam Pro Flash Bracket?
dweldon wrote:
Bill,
I have been through several brackets, including the RRS Portrait Bracket mentioned by Chalres above (IMHO too bulky, but a real quality piece of work) , stroboframe proT, pressT (both adequate very functional, but hard to pack)
I currently have the wedding bracket by RRS.
Excellent, small package makes easy to pack and have available.
it does require a Arca type plate and is much more versatile with the "L" brackets.
ok - i have never seen a RRS bracket in real life - but how can the portrait bracket (which is like 2 pieces and barely clears the lens) be TOO bulky and the wedding one (which looks tall and huge) not be?
p.1 #5 · Critique of RRS Off Cam Pro Flash Bracket?
The 'Portrait Perfect Packages' is really not that bulky. The one fits straight on a 70-200mm is even less 'bulky' and both have a slick 90 degree movement.
Also when mounted on a tripod, you just rotate the camera with the lense support and that it!
PS I nearly always use the flash pointing off a wall, ceiling or reversed into a modifier. Never straight on. Another great thing is that if I ever drop the camera. The L bracket will more than likely take the major part of the fall... Like 'dweldon' said these RRS bracket are real quality pieces of work. I luckily picked up another 1Ds L bracket on ebay for 45 UKP in the UK. Worth keeping your eyes open. I've also been thinking of using in studio with a small battery operated LCD monitor attached to the bracket, instead of any flash.
p.1 #6 · Critique of RRS Off Cam Pro Flash Bracket?
PPS Also the flash height changes with the 'Wedding Pro Flash Bracket', like with stroboframe proT and pressT, which with the 'Portrait Perfect Packages' it does not.
p.1 #7 · Critique of RRS Off Cam Pro Flash Bracket?
I am going to take a guess here......but when dweldon said the RRS Pro wedding bracket was not as bulky I think he was referring to how small and flat it folds for storage/carrying in a gear bag - vs the other RRB that would take up much more space to store/carry. I cannot speak for dweldon and respect his independent opinion on this matter. Thanks to all who have replied. I am going to get a flash bracket at the end of this month (pay day ) so the information is very helpful. Bill
p.1 #8 · Critique of RRS Off Cam Pro Flash Bracket?
tarheel, I am in no way affiliated with RRS. I really like their products.
I have an RRS L plate for my 30D/BG-E2 grip combination, as well as the B85-B Portrait Perfect package. The Portrait Perfect package consists of the MPR-CL rail and the B85-B bracket. The MPR-CL rail is roughly 6" long and attaches to the L plate. The B85-B bracket then attaches to the MPR-CL rail. The off camera shoe cord then attaches to the B85-B bracket and your flash then attaches to the off camera shoe cord.
The quality of RRS products cannot be challenged. However, with this excellent quality you also get products that are not the lightest in the world. When I have the 17-55 IS lens on my camera with the battery grip, L plate, flash bracket, off camera shoe cord and 580EX flash, let's just say it is not a small and light-weight combo. Once you get over the size and weight, however, it's all good.
The functionality of their products is also first-rate. My only gripe with how the B85-B Portrait Perfect package works has to do with the length of the MPR-CL rail. It is roughly 6" long and with zoom lenses, the rail that attaches to the L plate can be a pain sometimes when trying to turn the zoom ring. See this picture from the RRS website:
I have used this combination at 2 wedding receptions recently, and the system really does work well... you eventually get used to how you have to hold the lens with your left hand in order to turn the zoom ring.
If you are looking for a lighter-weight and more portable system, I would get the BD300-L plate for your D300 and then get the WPF-1 Wedding Pro Flash Bracket. See here for more details of this bracket:
p.1 #10 · Critique of RRS Off Cam Pro Flash Bracket?
Something to consider with flash-flip style flash brackets are the strain they put on the hot-shoe base of the flash when used in portrait mode, especially when the TTL extension cable its added to the mix. The other thing is the fact they are not compatible with diffusers. Those are the reasons I opted for the camera-flip style.
I bought the basic Stroboframe camera-flip model back in 2000 when I got my first digital camera and a new pair of Vivitar 285HV flashes and I two cameras later it still just the job of raising the flash and flipping the camera so I haven't found a compelling reason to replace it:
So if you don't want to spend $400 for a flash bracket its an option you might want to consider. You can add a RRS QR clamp, but that will double the cost
p.1 #11 · Critique of RRS Off Cam Pro Flash Bracket?
I have tried a few brackets and I agree that you need a bracket that keeps the flash in its normal position if you want to use diffusers. I also wanted a bracket that could be folded for storage. I finally settled on the Newton Di100FR2 for my Canon 40D. I like that you actually hold your camera by the camera grip even in portrait mode, and the bracket doesn't get in the way.
When you consider that you don't need to buy extra camera plates or quick releases, the cost is fairly reasonable. I keep the included camera plate mounted on the bottom of the camera so I can have the bracket setup in no time.
p.1 #12 · Critique of RRS Off Cam Pro Flash Bracket?
jrscls wrote:
I have tried a few brackets and I agree that you need a bracket that keeps the flash in its normal position if you want to use diffusers. I also wanted a bracket that could be folded for storage. I finally settled on the Newton Di100FR2 for my Canon 40D. I like that you actually hold your camera by the camera grip even in portrait mode, and the bracket doesn't get in the way.
When you consider that you don't need to buy extra camera plates or quick releases, the cost is fairly reasonable. I keep the included camera plate mounted on the bottom of the camera so I can have the bracket setup in no time.
p.1 #13 · Critique of RRS Off Cam Pro Flash Bracket?
I actually prefer the more compact bracket over the larger ones that I tried before. You are correct that the flash is only raised a bit higher than without the bracket when shooting horizontal, but I have not observed any red eye. I also use a diffuser (Demb) and the reflector that directs the light is still over 12 inches above the lens in both horizontal and portrait modes, so red eye isn't a problem.
p.1 #15 · Critique of RRS Off Cam Pro Flash Bracket?
The RRS Wedding Bracket is my go to bracket. I also use a custom bracket.
I love the weight and portability of the wedding bracket. The custom bracket is faster when it comes to portrait to horizontal change but it is heavier and bulkier. I like having both to choose from. Many times I have them both set up when I am shooting weddings and my assitant hands me the one I want I would grab the RRS WB.
) so the information is very helpful. Bill
I would grab the RRS WB.