August 30, 2018

A Modular Flash Bracket Coming from Hejnar Photo

Hejnar FB87B Flash Bracket overview
Some ideas take time to develop and materialize but then the outcome justifies the time and effort spent.

It was back in 2014, when a crude and quite heavy I must admit, Hejnar Photo Modular Flash Bracket had appeared made from Hejnar Photo parts.

Actually it was assembled together by one dedicated Hejnar Photo user, but never became an official product or kit.

It was more or less a proof of what one may do combining imagination with Arca-Swiss compatible modules.

Nonetheless, now the new modular flash bracket is much refined and dedicated to the use.

It takes far less space to carry in your bag compared to other monoblock brackets and can be put up in seconds.

It can be adjusted in height and used either with short or long telephoto lenses.


The Flash Bracket


Manufacturer Specification:
Model:FB87B
Interior Clearance:149 mm (5 7/8 ")
Width:126 mm (5 " )
Weight:236 gr (8.1 oz)
Material:6061-T6 Aluminium
Color:Black hard coat anodized
Hardware:Stainless Steel
Made in :USA

This is one of the most versatile Hejnar brackets which can be attached either to the quick-release Arca style plate of a collared lens or via a small rail on a camera equipped with an Arca style base plate.
The bracket features an integrated Arca-Swiss type quick release clamp on the lower horizontal arm which has now become dominant as the industry standard for macro and telephoto lens support systems.


Hejnar FB87B Flash Bracket assembled

The Components


The Hejnar Flash bracket is modular, assembled by three components, thus being versatile and easily stowed in your camera bag or in a small space when not in use. Components connect without tools with simple to tighten thumb screws. None of the parts slip, twist or creep-even during intense action due to the existence o anti-twist pins as we shall see below.
Furthermore, all screw knobs are captive to prevent detachment from accidentally unscrewing them too far and be lost while in the field.

Hejnar FB87B Flash Bracket components
Flash bracket is comprised of three arms easily attached and detached.

Top Assembly


The top horizontal bar meant for the flash attachment is rounded at the side edge featuring two anti-twist pins aside the mounting screw thread.

Hejnar FB87B Flash Bracket top bar
Hejnar FB87B Flash Bracket top bar attachment knob

The pins are meant to sit in one of the three predetermined hole pairs at the sides of the vertical arm slot. In this way the vertical height is adjusted when maintaining structural rigidity.

Hejnar FB87B Flash Bracket top bar and vertical arm
Hejnar FB87B Flash Bracket top bar fits in the vertical arm slot in three different heights

Hejnar FB87B Flash Bracket top bar / ver bar assembly
Hejnar FB87B Flash Bracket top bar assembly detail

Lower Assembly


In somewhat almost identical manner, but with one anti-twist pin, the vertical bar is attached to the lower horizontal arm.

Hejnar FB87B Flash Bracket vertical arm screw
Hejnar FB87B Flash Bracket vertical bar attachment knob
Likewise, the lower horizontal bar features a smaller slot and one small hole near the edge for the unique anti-twist pin.

Hejnar FB87B Flash Bracket horizontal arm socket

This is enough to hold and keep in place the vertical bar in and on the lower horizontal arm.

Hejnar FB87B Flash Bracket ver arm / horizontal arm assembly
Hejnar FB87B Flash Bracket vertical bar and horizontal arm assembly detail

The narrow quick release clamp has enough opening to be mounted on any Arca style rail or plate over the top dovetail.
But still, the modular design allows for the lower horizontal arm to be mounted upside down, as illustrated below.

Hejnar FB87B Flash Bracket assembled lower clamp reversed
Hejnar FB87B Flash Bracket assembled with lower horizontal arm clamp facing upwards.

In this way the bracket may be clamped on the lower dovetail of a rail or lens plate, shown in detail further on. This ability may prove critical in case a plate lacks an upper dovetail, something more common with lens plates or lens collar feet e.g. Sigma's own.



Applications

As most flash brackets of this kind, the Hejnar flash bracket requires the addition of a small to medium size Nodal Rail with integrated clamp, or add on clamp, in order to be used with a camera combined with shorter focal lenses. Off camera flash and especially when positioned much higher than the lens has many merits.
One is red eye reductions and another is minimization of harsh shadows.
Nonetheless, you have the ability to adjust the vertical distance between flash and lens.

Hejnar FB87B Flash Bracket on nodal slide

As well as to decide whether to clamp it on the upper dovetail of the rail leaving the lower dovetail free for full length fore-aft adjustment. Very useful with macro lenses.

Hejnar FB87B Flash Bracket on nodal slide upper dovetail
Or on the lower dovetail by inverting the lower horizontal arm.

Hejnar FB87B Flash Bracket on nodal slide lower dovetail

The flash bracket is ideal though, for attachment on a long telephoto lens-foot equipped with an Arca-Swiss style plate that features a dovetail.
When using a long telephoto, the attachment of a flash higher and towards the front avoids casting shadows on the lower part of the frame, caused from the lens barrel.
By attaching the flash bracket on the lens plate also helps to balance the system better, since the positioning of the flash is close to the center of gravity.
Further, as the flash bracket stays on the lens collar foot, there is no need of re-positioning the flash when changing the orientation of the camera in landscape or portrait position within the lens collar.

Hejnar FB87B Flash Bracket on lens foot plate

Most lens plates, or replacement lens feet, are equipped with double dovetail at least at the front as a provision for the attachment of such devices. Therefore, it is most likely that you clamp the flash bracket on the top dovetail.

Hejnar FB87B Flash Bracket on lens foot plate upper dovetail

Once again, the flash bracket may be clamped on the lower dovetail, either by choice or in lack of an upper dovetail as forementioned having in mind single dovetail lens feet.

Hejnar FB87B Flash Bracket on lens foot plate lower dovetail


Please note that an off-camera shoe cord is needed to connect the camera hot shoe terminals with the flash terminals, unless you use a wireless flash trigger on the camera with a compatible flash. Something missing from the illustrations above since a flash cold shew was used instead.

I hope you found the information useful, thank you for viewing.
All Photos by courtesy of Hejnar Photo © 2018 Chris Hejnar

Price & Availability:
Current price for the Hejnar Flash Bracket is US$ 89.00 plus shipping where applicable and is currently available from the Hejnar Photo eBay store and soon will also be available at the Hejnar Photo online store.

If you are interested in the product, do check the Recommended Sellers page for a valid Hejnar Photo discount coupon before ordering, valid at the Hejnar Photo on line store.

Referenced Articles:

Create a Hejnar Photo Modular Flash Bracket
Create a Hejnar Photo Modular Flash Bracket







Relevant Articles:

Create a Versatile O-Shape Macro Flash Bracket
Create a Versatile O-Shape Macro Flash Bracket
Desmond DAFB-1 Arca Flash Bracket Review
Desmond DAFB-01 Arca Compatible Flash Bracket Review
Create an Economy Telephoto Flash Bracket
Create an Economy Telephoto Flash Bracket

No comments :

Post a Comment