 it's heavy, and a bit more than I need |
| Review Date: July 2, 2010 |
| Reviewer: James Powell, New York |
I went into a shop and checked out both the PRO M, and the PRO E, fully anticipating that I'd want the pro M. But once I compared them I realized the ProE was lighter and easier to use. Plus, you don't need to buy any attachments. I was really annoyed that the ProM is more expensive, and also doesn't include the attachments needed to actually connect the camera to the bracket, as the ProE does. Who the heck wants a product that absolutely cannot work unless you buy another part. Don't insult your customers... include it and adjust the price if you need to.
The biggest improvement that the M has over the E was that it's got 2 legs at the base that you can pull out to stabilize the whole thing when you want to put down your camera. It would have been nice to have that, but the extra weight and cost made it not worth it to me.
The only other improvement the M has over the E is that you can adjust the height of the flash, but the Pro E provides plenty of space so I didn't think it was necessary. Not to mention the downside of that feature was the extra weight of the additional metal and joint. And that joint is just one more thing that can go wrong later on.
As for the quick release, i was worried I'd hate not having it, but i didn't. I found that I'm not swapping the camera on and off of the bracket enough to warrant buying the quick release. Also, whenever I do take the camera off of the bracket, I'm certainly not bothering to do it at anytime that I'd need to be especially fast with it.
My opinion is, save your money, go with the proE. I love mine!
Oh, and if this is your first bracket, don't forget to make sure you have a cable that'll allow you to connect the flash to the camera. |
Outstanding
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| Review Date: January 8, 2010 |
| Reviewer: RockinRod, TX, USA |
| Outstanding and essential accessory. Extremely high quality at a high price, but the best is always expensive. |
Ass Kicking Bracket
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| Review Date: October 12, 2009 |
| Reviewer: J. Plotke, Brightwaters, NY |
while this bracket costs more then most people cameras, if you are looking for it you know what its about. This is by far the best bracket on the market with no close competitor, it works phenomenally. the grip is comfortable and easy to hold and raises the flash up nice and high to get rid of unwanted ear shadows and red eye.
the ball baring rotation is smooth and locks in solidly.
should be a standard accessory for all wedding and indoor event photography
i use my on my 5d and my 50d both with battery grips, interchangably. |
Best Ever!
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| Review Date: September 22, 2009 |
| Reviewer: K. Wang, New Orleans, LA |
| A little bit expensive. But you get what you paid for. Extremely well made. You can't go back to those cheap flash brackets once you own this. Go for it, you will not regret. |
The Best of the Flash Bracket Bunch-for My Use
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| Review Date: September 13, 2009 |
| Reviewer: I. Seligman, |
There have been dozens of flash brackets on the market. To maintain the flash above the lens in both horizontal and vertical shots, some awkwardly flip the flash, and (to me) better ones smoothly rotate the camera. There's perhaps 8 main bracket vendors now.
Every wedding type or PR event I went to, I chat with the photog when they were on break, and I got to hold, if not try most of their flash brackets. People quickly get used to the quirks of whatever model they buy. Cost and size can be a main concern for amateurs and semi-pros alike. I quickly realized I didn't like the constant flipping of the flash. It distracted me and my subjects, too. Rotating the camera requires a more expensive mechanism. It can be a faster technique than taking my eye from the viewfinder, and flipping the flash. (Rotating the camera, instead of flipping the flash, looks just a touch more professional, to me!)
The Custom Brackets Pro M kit, which rotates the camera and has several necessary plates comprising the "kit", is the best for me. Someone really really thought things out on this one, from the quality of the grip, the host of accessories, to the padded support in front that supports your left hand as it zooms the lens in and out. There are many adjustments possible, to solidly fit any 35 mm camera and flash. If you are gonna shoot weddings and similar events, this model is worth the upgrade, quality, and cost over competitor's models. Cost? You're talking perhaps $100 more-not much at all if you shoot a few events a year, and really profit from the bracket's quality! My main concern was its weight, and I learned how to "cradle it" when not shooting.
Pro's:
-Superb workmanship and one year warranty
-Easy and quick camera rotation, and angle of flash adjustment
-Camera position can be moved forward or back (it cleard the cord from hitting my hand)
-Quick release camera plate available
-Many fine adjustments to customize the fit of camera and flash
-Support bar in front (on newer models) is well thought out
-It's easy to raise and lower the flash height
-I never take my eye from the viewfinder, as needed with many flip flashes, and miss a shot
-Little feet swing out to let it sit solidly upright on a surface
-It's a good fit for my size 7-8 hands.
Cons:
-It's definitely heavier than smaller brackets-I recommend using it wth vibration reduction/image stabilizing lenses, if you hands get fatigued.
-It clicks somewhat loudly as it locks securely at full horizontal and full vertical (not a big problem, as you can: 1. not rotate it during times of silence, 2. learn to not rotate it fully till it clicks, or 3. if it bothers you,drill and place a removable "stop" to keep it from clicking and locking.
-It's bigger than other brackets, (they all look a bit intimidating to your subject!)
-Cost! If the price was lower, they would have way more buyers, and profits. I thought long and hard on this purchase.
Bottom line, our hands our camera rigs, and our strength vary! Like buying a car, catcher's mitt, or camera, hold and test a few brackets, for at least a few minutes, to see how it fits you. There's no "best one" that will please everyone.
Only you know what feels best for you-a flipping of the flash or rotation of the camera; a tiny bracket or a full size one. |
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