Boling C-Shape Flash Bracket Review

The Boling C-Shape Flash Bracket is originally marketed for small DV Recorders, that do not have a hot shoe,  in order to enable the attachment of a small continues light.

However, shape, size and modular construction gave me a lot of ideas for using it as a DSLR camera flash bracket. Considering also its comparatively very cheep price made it even more challenging for a hands on test.

The Bracket

The bracket costs a mere USD 17.00 shipped insured ! and comes in a retail box inside a self closing nylon bag.

It is comprised by two aluminum parts, one C-shaped (thus the name) that is supposed to hold the flash unit and one open S-shaped that holds the bracket serving also as a connector to the DV recorder or better the camera as in this case.

All parts are held together by captive 1/4"-20 thumb screws, which have also an 1/4-20 female thread in the bottom so the whole set can be attached on a tripod.

On top of the C-shaped part exists a plastic part with a universal metal flash cold shoe.

Between the various positions that this bracket can be fixed, I found more convenient the 90° degree angle between the S-shaped and C-shaped parts.

Between the two metal parts exists a rubber flange that prevents friction between them serving also as an anti-twist mechanism. (The small sticker on the inside says C-shaped bracket for miniature camcorders ...slide fix up and down...)

A big BOLING sticker dominates on the outside.

Dismantling the bracket we can see that the S-shaped part has a rubber covering on the side that will be attached on a camera with a honeycomb texture and on the other side there is a slot that permits moving the C-shaped bracket by 30mm. The distance between the mounting holes is 73mm.
The C-shape part has a 120mm opening convenient for most lenses and the distance between the side to the end of the slot on top is 63mm. Total weight 96gr !

A closer look at the flash socket and its relevant 1/4"-20 thumb screw.

Closer look at the S-shaped part with the two 1/4"-20 thumb screws and the clear rubber flange.

Using the bracket...

The simplest way to mount the Boling bracket on a camera is to screw the base thumb screw in the camera tripod socket.

According to the side someone prefers to turn the camera for portrait position, should the C-shape bracket be attached. It can be fit either on the right or on the left side of the lens.

Next step is to attach a remote flash cord on the camera and the bracket's flash socket. Then you can use the flash in either the vertical...

...Or very conveniently by releasing a little the thumb screw move it sideways for use in the portrait position.

Adding a Quick Release Clamp
Since most of my photographic gear are equipped with Arca® compatible Quick Release plates and rails, replacing the bottom 1/4"-20 thumb screw with a small quick release clamp was an obvious next step.

For use with a clamp, we need to reverse the orientation of the S-shaped base, remove the base captive thumb screw and choose an appropriate clamp.

I have chosen the Hejnar Photo F012 1,5" (3,8 cm) Quik Release clamp as it is the narrowest and lightest in my possession adding only 84gr to the bracket, for a total of 180gr.

Using the 1/4"-20 flat screw and Allen hex key provided by the clamp manufacturer...

...simply screw the clamp on the S-shaped base longitudinally.

The provided 1/4"-20 screw has the proper size for fixing the clamp on the bracket without protruding much.

Since there are not any alignment pins on the bracket base, we need to align the clamp and tighten the screw. The rubber on the bracket base will prevent it from twisting.

With a camera dovetail plate already attached on our camera...

...all we need is to tighten the clamp in place.

Next step is to attach a remote flash cord on the camera and the bracket's flash socket. Then you can use the flash in either the vertical...

...Or very conveniently by releasing a little the thumb screw move it sideways for use in the portrait position.

Conclusion
The Boling C-shaped flash bracket is a very convenient, low priced gadget for easy turning the flash from landscape to portrait position for amateur use.
However there are some weak points and limitations which should be mentioned.
It is not very convenient for continuous change of orientation between landscape and portrait mode if you are on the move.
The flash socket is designed for fitting flash units directly on top and screwing them securely with their thumb wheel or other mechanism. When fitting a remote flash cord on the bracket flash socket it is not so secure and I would recommend to remove the bracket flash socket and screw the flash cord socket with the 1/4-20 thumb screw directly on the bracket.
Further the size of the C-shaped bracket does not permit its use with a battery grip attached on the camera.

But more ideas coming in further posts, where you can see how it can be used in creating a Telephoto Flash Bracket or a Macro Flash Bracket. See the links under the "Relevant Articles" below.
I hope you found this review helpful, thank you for viewing.
All photos © 2011 S.C.Vlachos

Availability:
Prices for the Boling C-Shape Flash Bracket range between US$ 9.00 and 29.00 depending on supplier from Amazon, or from eBay


Hejnar QR Clamps from Hejnar Photo store


Referenced Articles:

Hejnar Photo F012 1.5" (3,8cm) Quick Release Clamp


Relevant Articles:

Create an Economy Telephoto Flash Bracket

Create a Versatile O-Shape Macro Flash Bracket