On Thu, 07 Jan 1999 13:57:20 -0500, gbrown@va.med.umich.edu.-nospam (G Brown) wrote:

[....]
>It would seem for autozooming flash with non-square film formats (35mm), a
>fixed bracket that held the flash above the lens and off to one side of the
>lens axis would work better. then when turning the camera for a vertical
>shot, the flash coverage angle would still be appropriate. the flash would
>still be above the lens, but off to one side a little.
>
>Anybody got real experience with this?

Hmmm, this was the arrangement with the SB16A mounted on
the F3 body...! ;-) The flash was tall, and the head was
about 45 degrees off and above the lens axis, making the
light position OK for both vertical and horizontal photos.
A similar thing can be accomplished using the flip-over
feature of the SB10/12/17/27 Nikon flashes, though in some
positions the edge coverage you mentioned can become an
issue... I'm struggling now with about four flash brackets,
and with modifications. I'm trying to get a LOT of ceiling
bounce light, and a little forward fill (close to the lens
axis to minimize shadows) - but three TTL-rigged flashes
on a bracket is a bit much to hold...;-) BTW, I hate the
auto-zoom feature of newer flashes - I prefer to set up
the lighting the way I want it, and have it stay that way.