Stroboframe Folding Flip Bracket

Easy to use the flip but too short to use the bracket with a power-pack attached under a DSLR. Still one of the best for the price.

After using this bracket the first time, it became very loose and sloppy going from horizontal to vertical. I tightened up the screws and it is working much better now. Keep an adjustable wrench in your camera bag in case you need it.

If I could give this a zero, I would. The first time I used it, I realized what a poorly made product this is. My camera (Canon 20D) would not fit snugly on the base and easily moved around. Then, one of the hinges fell completely apart and I had to search in the carpeting for the small screw holding it together.

Even after putting the hinge back together, the hinges will not operate well. Like the another reviewer said, the concept is great, but it is truly not worth a nickle. I also own the regular Stroboframe Flip Flash Bracket. That works great, and I have gone back to using that. It's just awkward to pack in my camera bag since it doesn't fold up.

I don't normally write bad reviews but this product deserves it. The concept is great (see comments later here), but the execution is poor.

My problems all center around the lower hinge point. This is what makes it the "folding" model. Unfortunately, this joint is very weak. I had to tighten the screw several times and it loosened quickly. Even tight, there was excessive play in the joint which is quite unnerving when attached to expensive camera gear. I used it on a digital Rebel, which is not a terribly heavy camera.

Each joint also has a "stop" which releases to allow for the folding. I quickly lost the plastic caps off the screw ends and the stops would occasionally not stop. Not a good thing in a stop.

The final issue I have with this bracket is the configuration of the base. It is not flat but "C" section, probably for strength. The open end of the "C" is downward which precludes the use of my tripod mounting plate. It would fit way to one side, but nowhere near the lens centerline.

The good news in all of this is that I replaced the folding model with the standard model and it is wonderful. Solid at the bottom (no joint) and the flash arm pivot works perfectly. It does a great job of raising the flash off the camera and keeping it above for portrait orientation.

The Stroboframe Folding Flip Compact Flash Bracket was a smart purchase for my Canon Digital Rebel. If you are a portrait photographer - you know how important it is to remote your speedlight away from your lens. Redeye is a thing of the past. Hotspots in the subject area are minimized.

Made of light weight aircraft aluminium with a foam padded handgrip (eventually will have to be replaced from wearing out) - the unit has surprising versatility. Swinging from landscape to portrait - a flip bracket enables you keep the speedlight OVER the lens in any situation. Red-eye is GONE in either position.

Accessories you will need with this unit:

1. A Canon remote hotshoe cord. Canon's speedlights synch with the camera's computer thru the hotshoe. This cord extends that functionality to the bracket.
2. Battery grip. Screwing the camera body to the Stroboframe covers the battery access hatch on the digital rebel. The battery grip enables access to both batteries while mounted on the Stroboframe.
3. Stroboframe sells accessories to keep the camera square to the bracket. The padding on mounting rail keeps the camera firmly in place - has made this optional for me (as long as you start with a good square mount and a firm screwdown) unnecessary.
4. Balance with heavy camera, Battery Grip and speedlight (I use either the Canon 420EX or larger 580EX) is surprisingly good.

Problems can be avoided by:

1. Tightening down all mounting screws; camera body, speedlight, and both ends of the hotshoe remote cord. Recheck frequently.
2. Setting-up right the first time. Make sure everyting is square - camera to bracket and in line - camera lens to speedlight position (both portrait and landscape).
3. Going easy on energy when flipping from landscape to portrait - the flip arm is a wonderful feature - don't overdo it! The 580EX is not a glider if flipped off the bracket.
4. Securing the remote cord with tape or clips on the bracket. Avoid the cord getting in the way, being pinched or even pulled out of the hotshoe when flipping the bracket. Keep the cord free of the speedlight battery door - keeps battery changes fast and simple.

This is a great investment for an entry level professional portrait photographer. The lightweight unit is strong and surprisingly comfortable to operate with all the weight I have loaded on it. Shooting with a long length portrait lens - or wide lens hood - I have no worries about dead spots or shadow with this bracket. Used carefully and with frequent checks on speedlight, camera and cord alignment - it gives the desired result every time.