Review: Stroboframe Quick Flip 350 Rotating Camera Flash Bracket

Overview : Quick Flip models offer high value, compact size, light weight and fast handling. No wonder they're the best-selling brackets on the market! Although lower in price than our top-of-the-line brackets, they share the same quality materials and construction.

Features :

• Compact, ergonomic, portable hand held design
• All aluminum construction
• Lightweight for easy carrying
• Fast and functional
• Cushion and foam grip, comfortable for both shooting and carrying
• Rotates cameras from horizontal to vertical position
• Keep flash centered over lens
• Accepts all flash units (adapter may be required)
• Perfect for shooting at press conference, wedding etc.

Quality/Usability : I'm still looking for that flash bracket that fits my needs and to my likings. And I think I have found it.

Of the "Stroboframe" flash brackets that I've tested and reviewed, this is my most favorite. There is one screw and multiple holes. This allows you to move your camera to any position you want. You can have it closer to the grip or further away. If you have the frame aimed out as shown in the picture, the bracket grip would be on the left.

If you flip the flash bracket, the flash would hang upside down. Rarely would you have your flash in this position if you're shooting in landscape mode. But even with the flash in this position, the flash won't fall and is held securely.

Having the grip on the right side is my preferred setup. The flash bracket would be backwards (Stroboframe sticker facing towards you) but you'll see why below.

If the bracket grip is on the left side, flash bracket flipped and held in portrait mode, the flash will be at the bottom. This is poor lighting and the flash would be too low. Flash should be above the camera.

If the bracket grip is on the right side, flash bracket flipped and held in portrait mode, the flash will not only be above the camera but sideways. Even though the flash is sideways, this is still fine.

Of course, this all depends on how you hold your camera in portrait mode. Some people prefer to have their shutter button at the top and some to have it at the bottom. If you have a grip on your camera, you will have no problem accessing the shutter on your grip as the base of the flash bracket is thing and the screw does not get in the way.

Conclusion : Overall, the Stroboframe Quick Flip 350 Rotating Camera Flash Bracket allowed me to flip the bracket around to use it the way I wanted to. I wasn't limited to having it in a specific position. I liked the fact that I was able to move the screw to any hole so that I can position the camera as far or as close as I want to the bracket's grip. Neither the screw or base of flash bracket got in the way of using the shutter button on a gripped body. The flash bracket was also lightweight where it did not get my arms tired.

As you can see from the pictures, I don't have the camera mounted to the bracket. The reason is because once the camera is mounted, the bracket does not stand up due to the screw protruding from the bottom. So if you're using this for an event and need to put this down, it won't stand up and it will lean forward or backwards. If you must put your camera down, you will have to put the camera on its side.

With the price that this can be purchased for, this would scream fake but it comes with a warranty card. Makes me wonder if this is an actual Stroboframe.

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Manufacturer:
Site: Buy from LighTake
Price: $27.49

Review: Stroboframe Camera Flip Rotating Flash Bracket

Overview : This model is a compact, lightweight bracket at a very affordable price. It is best for cameras without large, add-on accessory motor drives and comes complete with a machined, shoe-type flash mount.

Features :

• Low-profile Rotary-Link system lets you turn your camera from horizontal to vertical with a flick of the wrist. The flash stays centered above the lens.
• Supplied with machined, positive-locking shoe mount. Mount is interchangeable with other optional flash mounts.
• Cushioned, neoprene foam grip is comfortable for both shooting and carrying.
• Its compact size is perfect for storage in camera bags.

Quality/Usability : The Stroboframe Rotating Flash Bracket is the perfect size for gripped or large cameras. There is plenty of space between the base bracket and flash bracket.

To attach your camera to the Stroboframe Rotating Flash Bracket, simply screw the bracket to the bottom of your camera's tripod mount. My first encounter is that the screw did not hold the camera. My gripped Nikon D7000 turned. No matter how tight I tried to tighten the screw, the camera would swivel.

Rotating the camera was a bit stiff. It required some effort to rotate the camera. Usually with camera brackets, the flash would rotate. In the case of the Camera Flip, the flash and bracket stays in place and only the camera turns sideways. Although this is a nice idea, it requires you to hold the bracket with your left hand and rotate the camera with your right hand.

The bracket held the flash tight in its place. The flash did not come loose or wobble.

If you have a gripped camera, don't expect to be using the shutter button on the grip. The plate is too big and would get in the way of holding it comfortably.

Conclusion : Overall, the Stroboframe Camera Flip Rotating Flash Bracket was a big let down for me. Although the flash and bracket stayed in its upright position and only the camera rotated, to me, it felt awkward when held. The screw didn't hold the camera in place and definitely screamed out as a fake Stroboframe. The price is also another factor. I'm sure the real Stroboframe would have no problems.

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Manufacturer:
Site: Buy from LighTake
Price: $28.61

Review: Stroboframe Stroboflip VH 2000 Rotating Camera Flash Bracket

Overview : The most compact approach to flash rotation.

The ultra-compact, "gripless", flash rotating bracket. It cradles the camera unobtrusively while maintaining an over-the-lens flash position with a design that lets you hold the camera rather than a grip, and rotate the flash for horizontal or vertical composition. What's more, the stress and weight of the flash unit is transferred from the light-duty camera shoe to the rugged Stroboframe mount. The Stroboflip is made for shoe-type flash units.

Features :

• Accepts Digital SLR's, 35mm SLR's and smaller 6 x 4.5 cameras.
• Supplied with a machined, positive-locking shoe mount and a 300-SLR Anti-Twist plate (interchangeable with other AT Plates).
• Strong, lightweight aluminum construction with baked-on finish for hard use and durability.

Quality/Usability : If you've taken pictures with a flash in a vertical position, we all know that your flash is no longer technically at the top but on the side. With the flash on the left/right side, your light is no longer coming from the front. The Stroboframe Stroboflip VH 2000 is to help solve that problem.

The Stroboflip is able to accommodate both gripped and non-gripped cameras. There are two (2) screws on the side of the arm that allows you to adjust the height. To adjust the height of the arm you'll need a 3/32 allen key. Loosen the two nuts and slide the arm to the appropriate height. No need to unscrew it completely. Just loose enough so that the arm slides.

To attach your camera to the Stroboflip, simply screw the bracket to the bottom of your camera's tripod mount. If you have a grip on your camera, trying to use the shutter button on the grip when shooting portrait (vertical) mode may be uncomfortable as the metal from the bottom of the bracket will get in the way. You may have to resort to using the shutter button that is on top of the camera.

With the camera mounted and no grip, I was left with no room to hold my Nikon D7000. I couldn't get my fingers in between the camera and Stroboflip. With a grip attached to the camera, I was able to slide my fingers in between and be able to grip my camera.

Once the camera is mounted to the flash bracket, simply attach your flash cable to your camera and flash. With the flash mounted, it was sturdy but the arm started to wobble. I ended up tightening the nuts. Although it did help lessen the wobble, it made it slightly tougher to rotate the flash. This will require some playing around to get the right tension without having it wobble too much. Putting a LED light would probably be fine as its probably lighter than a flash unit but I don't have one to confirm that nor do I know the weight of a LED light.

Conclusion : Overall, the Stroboframe Stroboflip VH 2000 Rotating Camera Flash Bracket works as it should but having described the flaws of the Stroboflip, I'm confident its a fake. The box looks exactly like the real deal, however certain things stick out that point to a fake. Requires an allen key? From looking at pictures on the web, the nuts are longer and the real Stroboframe doesn't use an allen key. The screws require a philips screwdriver (+). I guess the price would also give a hint as well.

I liked that I was able to stand the camera up without it tipping forward and resting on the lens.

If you're looking for a cheap flash bracket and won't be using it a lot, I suggest picking this up since its really affordable. However, if you're using this full-time or often, I suggest getting the real Stroboframe. Of course, it will cost more.

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Manufacturer:
Site: Buy from LighTake
Price: $33.36