I recently purchased a Canon 500 f4.5.:D For the mean time (and probably some length of time) I'll be mounting it on a Sidekick, in turn mounted on a Markins M-20L ballhead. I've purchased a replacement foot from 4th Generation (CP-61) to eliminate the need for an extra plate. I shoot a 40D w/ the battery grip.
I'd like to get a flash bracket for this rig BUT...
It was suggested to me by a very good friend to consider buying a flash bracket for this rig that did double duty as a flash bracket for hand held macro work as well. Being on a somewhat limited budget that makes good sense to me... Get as much versatility out of my dollar as I can.
The flash brackets I've seen for use with the 500/600/Better Beamer set ups are ridged and generally attach to the lens foot or mounting plate. However it's preferable that a macro flash bracket be flexible and mount to the bottom of the camera for hand held work.
I've looked at Wimberley, RRS and others.... There are a vast number of combinations out there.
Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on a double duty bracket?
Would the compromises inherent in a bracket designed for double duty be more of a pain in the butt and not really worth the possible dollars saved?
Your thoughts and/or suggestions are most appreciated!
I have the RRS (large size) bracket and love it for handheld macro. I hold the bracket in my left hand - does a great job in stabilizing the rig when rocking back and forth to manual focus.
1Ds2 - 580EX flash - 70-200mm f4/IS @ 200mm w/500D dipoter - f/32 - manual focus and flash - RRS flash bracket on MPR CL II clamp.
I'd get the RRS 192 FAS Clamp package to allow more flexible positioning with shorter macro lenses.