Alzo Camera Bracket Flip Flash with Tilting Flash Umbrella Mount H-Bar (Black)

Looks:Simply speaking, it enables you to have your soft box or umbrella attached to your camera and shooting hand-holding it. Do you imagine how professional that would look in weddings or birthdays or that sort of shooting if you are in the photography business. I kept seeing big smiles on people faces when seeing me with the bulky equipment and every one seems to be forward in wanting their picture taking thinking they will definitely look good in them.Quality (photography produced):I do have many different types of diffusers for my set of flashes, I do mainly location shooting (for web, catalogs, ceremonial occasions etc) and the alzo soft box on that bracket produces very good results unmatched by any other diffuser, particularly good for human portraits. The umbrella worked fine too, you can attach two units for your main light and move around with them, very useful in very low light places where you can direct either flash to different angle to illuminate little bit of the background.Quality of Bracket manufacture:Seems to be sturdy enough, I haven't had it for a long time yet to comment on its durability, but looks like it will hold for some time, specially when its not going to be used for every shot you take!Practicality:It's not very easy shooting while hand-holding that bulk! It's heavy and have to be hold in both hands because it will put stressful torque if hand held in one arm, and you will get tired very quickly. When putting it down, the camera will not rest naturally attached to the bracket. Tilting the camera however, is very easy to perform while shooting. Attaching the soft box or umbrella very easy and very practical. If you wish to detach the camera from the bracket to attach it to the tripod then you will have to change the attachment piece which is not very practical.Price:For me is very reasonable.Overall review:I never thought I will have a soft box attached to my camera this way, and although portable softbox can be set as easily apart from the camera and can be better controlled too, but what works for me well is the reaction of the people I shoot I don't only get big grins because of it but also good professional reputation. compare me with another guy shooting the same function with the old boring flash on top of his camera, who of the two would you like him to take your photo then?

This is a well made bracket, but it's a little heavy especially when you have a Nikon D2, D3 or D4 mounted on it. If another lighter camera is mounted it might be a little more easily handled. When a flash is mounted, especially the newer and larger digital strobes (speedlights) it has a tendency to be somewhat top heavy. The camera flipping motion works well enough, but it's a little difficult to actually depress the small level at the base of the bracket with your little finger to release the camera base. I find I need to press it with my thumb to get enough leverage on it to release the flip flash base. It actually needs a thumb release at the top of the handle to release the flip flash base. After several hours of carrying this bracket around I found the rubber handle was wearing on my hands. It needs a softer grip for extended use. You can't mount the camera on the bracket to release the shutter with the right hand, it's too difficult to handle. The camera needs to be mounted so the camera's grip is handled with the right hand and when vertical you will need the add on camera release that's sold separately. Overall, this is a good bracket and will last for years, but needs some practice to be able to work it with ease and speed.

Pricing is VERY good, it does what they advertise, however, it's a bit tricky to get used to the way that it functions. Bottom line - use it quite often because it allows my camera to stay on-line with my flash. It is VERY adjustable and able to adapt to a wide variety of my equipment...I really like that!

I originally ordered this bracket without the tilt-bar, umbrella bracket and umbrella. It arrived and I immediately realized I needed that tilt-bar. Amazon emailed me a return label. I repacked in original packaging, took it to my local UPS, they resealed it and affixed label (no cost). I ordered THIS upgrade to replace it. Smooth and quick return.It arrived in just four days and it's exactly what I wanted and needed. The tilt-bar is important for directing the Speedlite. Don't know why they make a lesser version, really. Both are solid, well-made. But I have to have the tilt feature. I don't know if I will ever use the umbrella, but I have it in case I want to try it -- and I'm sure I will experiment with it.I shopped around various brackets for awhile before deciding on this one. I don't find it heavy at all with my 7D and Speedlite. I have no intention of using this on a tripod, however. (Nor is it meant to be, with over 5 lbs of camera + Speedlite.)But for walk-around shooting with great off-camera lighting, this bracket is affordable and indispensable. Thanks, Alzo -- and Amazon!

good material of construction, very heavy, it is not ergonomic as it sounds, vibrates in the junctures and the manual sucks ... I am not happy with this product, my camera is a Canon 60D without battery grip, even so weighs heavily for hours of work :(

I have not used it a lot but looks fine for the described function.Some what heavy but manageable. Flipping it to the vertical position takes minimal practice but probably it is due to the fact that it is my first flash bracket. What I really I like about is the possibility of using two flashes simultaneously with this bracket, which is a perfect solution in big groups.I will be using it with Nikon D80 and SB 800.In addition, I will be using with the Alzo mini softbox with Nikon SB 800 flash. The results are wonderful.I will highly recommend this product.The customer service is also excellent at Alzo digital.