What the Vivitar Flash Bracket Does
The Vivitar Flash Bracket is a lightweight aluminum accessory that lets you mount a flash off-camera while keeping it connected to your camera's hot shoe or sync port. Its rapid rotate design allows you to swivel the flash up to 180 degrees, giving you more control over light direction without moving the camera. The bracket also provides a comfortable grip, which can help stabilize handheld shots.
Setting Up the Bracket
Start by attaching your camera to the bracket's mounting plate. The bracket is designed to work with most cameras, but it may not fit models with large accessory battery packs or motor drives. Once the camera is secure, slide your flash into the bracket's hot shoe or attach it via a sync cable if your flash doesn't have a built-in hot shoe. The pivoting flash arm keeps the flash positioned over the lens, reducing harsh shadows and red-eye.
Rotate the flash arm to your desired angle—up to 180 degrees—to bounce light off ceilings or walls, or to create directional lighting for portraits or product shots. The aluminum construction keeps the setup lightweight enough for extended handheld use.
What the Catalog Confirms
- Vivitar Flash Bracket: The Vivitar Flash Bracket features a rapid rotate design, aluminum construction, and rotates flash up to 180°. It works with most cameras except those with large accessory battery packs or motor drives. This tells you the bracket is compatible with a wide range of cameras, but you should check your camera's size before buying, especially if you use an external battery grip.
Vivitar Flash Bracket
Practical Tips for Using the Bracket
For portrait orientation, rotate the bracket so the flash stays above the lens—this avoids side shadows. In tight spaces, use the 180° rotation to point the flash behind you for bounce lighting off a nearby wall. The comfortable grip helps you hold the camera steady at slower shutter speeds, but remember that the bracket adds some bulk, so practice handling it before a critical shoot.
If your flash doesn't have a built-in hot shoe, you'll need a sync cable or a wireless trigger to connect it to the bracket. The bracket itself doesn't include a cable, so plan accordingly.
