Custom Brackets RF-PRO rotating flash bracket

KurtB2564

Does anyone have any experience with the Rapid Fire PRO rotating bracket from Custom Brackets? I'm thinking of buying one because it's compact, doesn't require any special adapters, and does not put the flash head too high above the lens, like some other brackets. But ... it's expensive for what it is! Is it worth the cost? Thanks

Zenon

I use the one from RRS. I don't have any experience with the one you are looking at but the customer reviews look good. The reason I responded was because when ever I see a bracket post I always check the weight. One ounce alone can get heavy by the end of the day. The one you are looking at is 10 ounces. The RRS one is 11 so that is not too bad. I have seen some near 16 ounces so that is something to consider. The RRS is less expensive but you need to purchase an L bracket which works for me because I use a hand strap and it has a place to attach it to.

http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=WPF-QR&type=4&eq=&desc=WPF-QR:-Flash-Bracket-with-integrated-QR&key=it

I must admit I'm using mine less and less. I only use it when there is absolutely no other option.

http://neilvn.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/flash-brackets/

KurtB2564

Thanks for info Zenon. I agree with you and I should have mentioned that I'd only use the thing outside when I lacked access to off-camera flash and needed to take some shots in portrait orientation. After reading Neil's post on brackets and looking back at my own photos, I realized that I have a latent reluctance to do portrait orientation outdoors with hotshoe on-camera fill flash because of the undesirable side-light effect.

Zenon

I know it is cheating but I have read some photogs just stopped using portrait orientation when on the go shooting in a busy environment. With todays cameras easy to crop in PP. Of course this gives you more work in PP and technically your supposed to work on getting the perfect capture. Digital has changed all of that.

KurtB2564

Good point Zenon. I don't think it's cheating ... these days ;-)

Neil vN

I had to look this one up, since I'm not familiar with it Rapid Fire PRO flash bracket.

It does look neat and compact .. but spendy. The Custom Brackets products are somewhat spendy, but they are very well made. Solid. This one would probably be the same.

The one I have (and only occasionally use), is mentioned here:
http://neilvn.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/flash-brackets/

KurtB2564

Thanks for info Neil. I'll probably go for the RF-PRO at some point because it is compact and doesn't change the ergonomics of my camera too much. I mostly get by with the Spinlight 360 these days which is an excellent product that really improves on the BFT in terms of rapid adjustability. I've even had some success directing a speedlight outdoors with the 360 in portrait orentation by using the white card, but not enough to convince me it's a solution to my issue. Thanks so much for your tangents site -- it's made a REAL difference in my photography as has your on-camera flash book.