Best of the Best 2008

EDITORS NOTE: I used to post everything relating to brackets from all the firms but after twenty years of trade shows and basically looking at everything imaginable, one company stood out and outfoxes, out engineers, out builds, probably outsells, out markets, all the others who are probably in the out-house.

With that said, some of those companies still selling the same thing they created twenty years ago need not apply for recognition. When I see something that hasn't evolved in twenty years (and still in the same packaging for some of them) the words "lack of innovation", a "failure to recognize market" and a "who cares attitude", it tells me why waste bandwidth.

So we go with the winners, and the public response to the product line has been a phenomena in the camera business. Five years in a row this company has smoked the competition. In fact, if flattery is the greatest form of acknowledgement this is the guy the others copy, period, I know, I saw the knock-offs at the show.

I am Al JACOBSON - And I approved this endorsement!

FLASH BRACKETS
Buying a flash bracket is like buying a car. It's about use, style, quality,
and if there's a concern about the mileage you get from it or it's about to tow that 6,000 pound boat you just bought.

Don't buy a compact car if you really needed a pickup, or a Hyundai four banger mini-coupe if you have six kids. Never buy a bright red convertible for a teenage daughter with a cell phone. She'll break you with insurance and tickets.

Simply put the bracket is part of a system to improve the light you put onto a subject when mother nature doesn't provide.

Elimination of red-eye and shadows are the two side benefits a good and proper bracket provides. The other parts needed with the purchase are an extended flash cable, like for Nikons, the SC-17, SC-28, SC-29. Canon has comparable cables and extensions and there are after market brands like PRO and others.

WEDDING, SPECIAL EVENTS BRACKETS
These are FLIP BRACKETS and the basic difference between Wedding, Event Brackets and Paparazzi style brackets is in the flipping. The rotation of the flash from portrait to landscape mode. Here's the scoop: Wedding and Event brackets raise the light above the lens axis and allow the flash to be tilted for either portrait or landscape mode.

The problem is if a bracket just offered elevation, the flash would be way off center in the portrait mode and you would get harsh side lighting. So we flip the flash. Same reason we flip hash brown's. Raw one side , overcooked the other. One day they'll be a Bobby Flay smack down on hash browns and bring him on....

In the better level of bracket or the next higher level we flip the camera. You add a few dollars to the base models and we see the mechanisms that flip the camera rather than the flash. They are more complex but get better results if they are engineered correctly. Most are not. We found the most universal, best constructed unit built in the world. Strong claim...yes but I stand by it. (Read On)

PAPARAZZI RIGS Nikon SK-6 Power Bracket

We Nikon and Canon users have seen the expensive add-on Paparazzi style Brackets offered by these companies especially Nikon where they got the 'Chutzpah to charge in Nikons case 270-350 dollars for these fine add-ons. OK the Nikon one has a spare battery holder, more AA cells. In fact Canon didn't offer their version in the states, it was available in Europe and Asia markets and really offers no advantage. Hmmm, I can offer a Black Box with 1000 shots and one of CB Paparazzi rigs for almost less.

Working in conjunction with Mike Mikulla from Custom Brackets, he and I looked at the situation and we independently came up with a few ideas and low and behold at the PMA show... I threw mine on the table and he threw his on the table and I threw mine out the window. All kidding almost identical except for a few small points. like a locking anti-swivel for the flash base and better anti-slid for the camera base. But the thinking was there and he and I had basically and independently come up with the same thing. Voila!

He now has the CB mini and the CB- MINI-RC. They are a beautifully crafted pair of Paparazzi brackets, just look on his website located at www.custombrackets.com and available from B&H and other retail on-line stores.

These custom brackets retail at 45-55.00 and basically are ready to go out of the package. There are differences in the product. Look carefully they depend on grip and preferences.

One the CB Mini-RC is for right-side users, with an offset and the other is a straight line rig you see on you left. They use the straight rig and not one of the U-Turns with flipping because they are always shooting in the vertical mode, and sometimes chasing their prey.
CB Mini

It's obvious. Paparazzi are like sharks and attack their subjects sometimes at a really fast moving clip and it only takes one shot at hooking the flash on the guy running alongside you or worse you hook the flash on top of the camera on something and you either lose the flash or lose the prism.
Simply put, No shooter is going into a "press chase" with a two foot tall bracket.

LEARNING PAPPARRAZZIMANIA 101: (Really Happened in Florida)
A press chase is when someone is:
A) Fleeing court as in the case of one of our school principals buying cocaine in his office;
B) The coach running from the locker room after a nasty defeat; "Way too Often".
C) One of our politicians running from the cameras after getting caught driving naked in a school zone;
D) The local pastor leaving the downtown red light district... "Way too Often".

Now to be fair this bracket idea is not for everyone but there is a way you can try this on your own and see if it is for you so the frugal Gadgetmeister in development with NASA (The National Agency for Shekel Administration) came up with the Paparazzi training wheels version.
First you will need a METZ bracket from the Metz 45.. they are all over the web on eBay, some broken Metz 45's, parts for sale, pawn shops for the originals which I prefer and also the aftermarket ones from Sonia by OFC Camera which are plastic and can be reshaped easily. ($7.50 plus shipping) and I will modify it for you.

These are elaborate and expensive brackets made for large lenses, macro flash and better beamers and such where stability of the longer heavier lenses is paramount.

The main concern when looking for a bracket in this category is strength, durability and strong locking components. In addition since these highly specialized brackets are used on tripods, the selection of a more than adequate tripod is essential. Many of these design are the gimbaled style placing the weight below the object holder. The newest and probably most innovative on the block is manufactured by Custom Brackets and debuted at PMA 2008 in Vegas. It's a winner. This class of brackets usually mates to a huge lens and finding the right center of balance is critical since most $4000-$10000 lenses don't take to falling well.

Note:
The CB Gimbal is made to handle the longest of lenses. With it's roller bearing design, movements are smooth and easy. Separate drag adjustment and lock for both horizontal and vertical movement is controlled using soft rubber coated knobs.

A setup lever provides a fast and easy way to balance your long lenses while a bubble level on the base helps you to level your tripod when needed. The CB Gimbal is also modular allowing you to disassemble it for easy storage and travel.

Capable of handling the longest lens, yet it is modular to disassemble for easy packing and travel. With it's mini-components for complete versatility, it easily and safely adapts to any any lens application. With the patented roller bearings used in the top end CB products, it carries forth the quality found in this distinct line of camera accessories.

The LOST..oooops Last Category - Useless
The fourth category is the useless category. It is a group of lightweight aluminum and plastic 8.00 to 50.00 dollar junk and knockoffs they sell at discount stores and they mainly come from the nice folks at Aftermarket-Dot-COM, a division of Cheap Overseas Labor Division. (COLD) Inc.

Here's Some Pointer's

HOW I PICKED THE WINNER
There are many manufacturers of brackets out there. I have tried, looked, sampled, bought, owned, chopped and destroyed a few, OK, more than a few in my time. Each year I peruse the trade shows looking for accessories with quality construction, exceptional features, convenience, benefits, and innovation. And I am a bracket and tripod nut.

Many buy their first bracket and think that an angled piece of metal with a camera on one end and a flash on the other is all they need and the better ones are overkill. How wrong you can be. In the heat of shooting today's weddings and events every part of your gear (kit for you Brits) it should be top notch.

Some cost more and some are really less expensive than our winner. Some with quality standards far below and some just slightly better than two Stanley 8 inch angle brackets from Home Depot. With one company their catalog is an archeological study. Some of their products for sale haven't improved in a millennium, same old stuff.

CUSTOM BRACKETS year after year always seems to amaze me. One innovation after another. And if you think I'm playing favorites you are right, this is the real thing, nothing comes close. Simply put, this is a company that effects change through innovation, they have the engineering, state of the art machining, and the integrity to stand behind what they manufacture. I like Mike, he thinks like I do about customer service, putting the best in the product and integrity, something really lacking today. Oh made in the USA by real technicians. I have as I said looked at all the cockamamie ideas floating the web, most copies and cheap knockoffs. This is the finest bracket engineered and manufactured in the USA and quality wise, ahead of everybody else period.

THE BEST: The DIGITAL PRO-M
This year he got me. Custom Brackets has the ultimate bracket in my eyes. I had to have one (that makes three) and, there was no race this year in engineering and design, once again this gear is the tops in it's field being the only manufacturer with innovation. Everything else is something I've seen before, a knockoff or copy.

This is Mercedes Benz quality in a unit slightly more than the medium priced units but one that you will not outgrow nor will you get tired of. I would have called it the Rolls-Royce but the mechanical excellence far exceeds the Rolls which is image excellence and with a Rolls you'll get to know your mechanic like he was part of the family. He better be, that's where your inheritance is going. The Mercedes does perform well and is consistent in it's operation, quality and philosophy. Why do I get so excited about this line of goods? Because if you looked at all the crap I see at the show, when something stands out, it stands out!

I showed it to five professional photographers plus friends and users in other fields, people that make a full time living at their game...comments ranged from the photographers "can I borrow it", "to how 'bout if I steal it then"... " I can't believe how the roller load bearings make it so smooth"
Digital PRO-M Kit

The fit and finish is excellent. Black Anodized Aluminum richly done, both light weight and strong. Has a shiny but not annoying gloss to it. Doesn't look like the cheaper blackening processes" and that's from a plating manufacturer who refinishes very expensive firearms.

It is the only wear-compensating bracket on the market today. It's maintenance free and no lubrication needed. It "feels right"...slick transition.

"Reduction machining, made from machined thick-gauge, lightweight aluminum with a smooth black anodized finish. Top Draw. Custom Brackets are machined not bent into shape and this keeps the structural strength of the Aluminum, these comments came from a machinist and mechanical engineer. Translation. It feels right, not like a bent piece of cheap grade aluminum bar.

My Thoughts:
His line has variety. With the Digital PRO-Line, the new bearing PRO line and additional options and units going from economy to first class, this line now is the most complete line in the business. New quick releases and accessory plates for the radio slaves and other add-ons completes the picture. I'll just call it a rout.

I'm not Mr. Nice Guy when it comes to reviews. Just read what I write about the fast food joints. I am an equal opportunity insulter. You sell CA-CA and I'll call it CA-CA. In this category nothing else on the market compares. Everything else is basically same old, same old and probably some of it has been in the warehouses for twenty years. MORE COMING WITH PHOTOS, used on location, complete rig shots and a lot more... this is the ultimate bracket and the one I selected for me to use on my Nikon systems.

Features:

Professional looking design

Easy to rotate using roller bearings from horizontal to vertical

Anodized black aluminum for lightweight and strength

No lubrication needed - designed maintenance free

Adjustable flash height with tilt for eliminating red eye and shadows

Comfortable foam grip on left side

Fits in camera bags using fold in legs and retractable upright

Palm grip for comfort and support while holding the bracket and zooming

**For all digital cameras using a flash with a Canon or Nikon Cord **Not recommended for use with Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2, or Metz 54, 70, and 76 (Grip on bracket will block the infrared signal). We suggest the Digital PRO for the use with these products.

Specifications
Weight: 23 oz.   (652 g)
Bracket Dimensions:  7-7/8” high, 10” wide, 2-3/8” deep (storage position)
Metric Dimensions:  22.5cm high, 25.4cm wide, 6.0cm deep
Center of lens to bottom of flash: 3-7/8” adjustable.   (9.8cm)

Required items - Included
CMP Camera mounting plate
FCN Flash mounting plate for Canon / Nikon flash cords
QR Tripod quick release for mounting bracket to tripod

Optional items - Sold separately
QR-C  Camera quick release
C-SP Camera quick release sub-plate
CBP Camera bottom plate (bracket to tripod)
AP  Accessory plate for radio slave, second flash, etc.
MC Cold shoe for radio slave
FT-JR Shoe mount for radio slave, second flash, etc.
Battery holders

GEAR - CLEARLY the BEST OF THE BEST 2009