Rangefinder Magazine
February 2005

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First Exposure: Custom Brackets by Peter Kotsinadelis

When I was first introduced to Custom Brackets’ Quick Rotating System (QRS), I was impressed at how solid and well made the bracket is. Made from thick-gauge, lightweight aluminum with a smooth black anodized finish, the wear-compensating design provided a silky smooth camera rotation from horizontal to vertical use. The bracket was designed by a photographer, so it is no wonder it quickly gained a loyal following among professional photographers.

Today there are several models of the QRS brackets and an all-new flash rotating bracket, the CB Junior. In this review we take a more in-depth look at their popular QRS camera-rotating bracket, and their new flash- rotating bracket, the CB Junior.

Custom Brackets model QRS-35-H: This bracket is the one we used for our review. Note the built-in stand for placing it on a flat surface.

QRS-35 Features
Although the QRS-35 bracket was introduced a few years ago, it is now sold in several configurations, designed around the patented camera-rotating system. For review we received the QRS-35-H model. Included were: an adjustable handle with optional strap, a height-adjustable and tilting flash arm, a built-in stand to allow the bracket to stand up when placed on a flat surface like a table, and an optional tripod quick release that attaches to the base.

At 14 inches high, 8 in. wide and 7 in. deep, the QRS-35-H is not a small bracket, but it is a very sturdy one. The bracket weighs 27 ounces, and even with the tripod quick release, the bracket still weighs under two pounds overall. One objective in using a bracket is to eliminate red-eye. Also, by centering the flash above the lens, the flash shadow will fall behind the subject.

There are camera plates available to accommodate specific film or digital SLRs, including Canon EOS, Kodak DCS, Nikon, Fujifilm Finepix S1 and S2, and Olympus E10 and E1. These are permanently bolted to the rotation system. With camera mounted, all you need to do is flip the camera upward in a counterclockwise direction, and the platform swings and locks in place for vertical use. I use the term “lock” because there is a notch in the rotating system that holds the rotating platform in place, whether set to horizontal or vertical position. Once in this position, regardless of how you move the bracket itself, the platform will not shift from that orientation unless you re-orient the camera to a new position—a well thought-out design.

Custom Brackets Quick Release is specifically designed for use with QRS brackets. A 1⁄4x20 receptacle on the bottom allows it to be mounted on a tripod.	The C35-CD1 is one of several camera plates available for the QRS-35 bracket. The height of each plate may vary as each is designed for a specific camera model.

The flash arm can be placed in any of seven openings, each spaced one inch apart, to adjust the height of the flash up to eight inches above the center of the lens. There are also several 1⁄4x20 threaded holes on the vertical bar for mounting any accessories you may want to use. Additionally, the flash arm can be rotated to any angle should you want to orient the flash up or down. The QRS-35 system also has optional flash plates that will accommodate barrel-type Metz or Sunpak “potato masher” units, Lumedyne heads, Q-Flash, or any shoe-mount or 1⁄4x20 mounted flash.

CB Junior Features
The CB Junior is made of the same lightweight black anodized aluminum but is a smaller and at 17 ounces, it’s a lighter bracket, designed with a flash-rotating system. This bracket is only 71⁄4 inches high, 71⁄4 in. wide and 5 in. deep. It includes a 1⁄4x20 camera mounting screw in its base. There is also a 1⁄4x20 threaded socket on the bottom of the base for mounting the bracket on a tripod and a swing-out leg for standing the bracket on a flat surface.

The CB Junior is the newest member in the Custom Brackets line-up with a flash rotating design.

This bracket is designed so the photographer maintains his or her grip on the camera body instead of the bracket—whether shooting horizontal or vertical images. To change orientation from horizontal to vertical, you flip the flash arm over and then turn your camera vertically so the flash remains above the lens. The height of the flash mounting arm can be adjusted four inches using a knob on the handle to provide maximum placement 11 inches above the camera lens. Flashes are mounted on the arm using a 1⁄4x20 flash mounting knob, or with one of two available optional accessories, a CN-JR anti-twist mount for Canon and Nikon off-camera cords, or FT-JR for shoe-mounted flashes.

In Use
Regardless of which bracket you prefer, just pick up either Custom Brackets model, and you will notice how solid they are. I learned that one reason for this is that the aluminum pieces that comprise each bracket are machined without any bending to maximize strength. A photographer friend of mine who has been using the QRS-35 for the last two years notes that this is the one bracket he trusts to secure his large, heavy, expensive professional digital SLRs.

While some may feel the QRS-35-H is a bit on the large size, once you start using it, the size becomes less of an issue. The rotating system is among the best I have come across. Whether the camera is rotated to horizontal or vertical, there is no concern that it will accidentally rotate in the other direction, no matter how you move or hold the bracket. With this bracket, be sure to get the camera plate that matches your camera, since the height of the plates varies to accommodate the height of the individual camera from the lens to the bottom of its base. Also, unless you are very attached to your quick releases, the optional quick release that complements the QRS-35 is worth consideration, as it engages securely and is simple to release.

The newest Custom Bracket is the CB Junior, a bracket best described as simple yet solid. The CB Junior design delivers as a smaller bracket that is actually ideal for photographers who use a photojournalist style in their wedding photography—where most of the images are horizontal.

Since the CB Junior moves flash placement higher above the lens, it significantly reduces the chance of red-eye and shadows. Should you need to take a vertical image, simply flip the flash, turn the camera sideways, and you are ready to go. Consideration should be taken in running the sync cord from camera to flash since the cord will need to extend a bit more when you flip the flash for vertical images.

As mentioned earlier, a fold-out stand allows the bracket to be set on a table. When using long lenses it can be folded in to allow access to the tripod socket or collar on the lens. The one accessory that would be very welcome for the CB Junior is an anti-twist plate for the camera, especially for a heavier camera that may tend to twist even when you think it is firmly secured to the base.

Although configuring these brackets can be a bit confusing, the Custom Brackets web site, www.custombrack ets.com, offers an online configuration tool that customizes the bracket for your specific needs. Once configured you can print out your configuration and select from a list of dealers to purchase your configuration.

For photographers looking for a strong and reliable bracket to take on the road, and one that will safely handle their expensive digital SLR, the QRS-35-H with a street price just under $200 is an excellent choice. For the budget conscious, the smaller and lighter CB Junior, with a street price around $90, is great deal.

Peter Kotsinadelis is a writer/photographer living in Pleasanton, CA. He may be reached at peterk727@ gmail.com.