The New FR3 Flash Rotator Bracket

Is designed for photographers that use hand held flash but also use a tripod with quick release plates. The new "base-dok" platform is designed to mount and stay on the bottom of your camera body. With the addition of the 4-101 Vertical Platform accessory quick release plates can be added to the bottom of the base and to the 4-101 vertical platform allowing easy horizontal to vertical rotation on your tripod. This can be done with or without the flash rotator which can be removed easily if not needed. The base has a built in stand that keeps the camera in a stable position when sitting on a solid surface. The FR3 is the first to offer this configuration and is the result of Newton's commitment to meeting the needs of our customers.

The rotator on the FR3 is the same proven rotator used on the Di100FR2 Folding Flash Rotator Bracket. The Di100FR2 will remain as the bracket of choice for hand held flash photography.
   
The FR3 Base Stays On Camera

The base of the FR3 holds your quick release plates and is designed to stay on the bottom of your camera so that you can use the base with the vertical platform to mount your camera on your tripod in horizontal or vertical position without moving your tripod head.

The Rotator Can Be Removed

Since the base of the FR3 stays on the bottom of your camera we have designed the rotator to be removable. To remove the rotator simply loosen the knurled knob that holds the vertical section of the rotator to the bottom of the base.

  

After removing the knurled knob the vertical section can be removed and stored. The knurled knob should be replaced on the base unit for safe keeping.

Horizontal            Vertical

Tripod or Monopod Use

Using the quick release plates attached as shown above the FR3 can be used to quickly move the camera and flash from horizontal to vertical on top of your tripod or monopod.

The "Base-dok" platform and vertical 4-101 accessory platform on the FR3 will accept all types of quick release plates like the picture above, Arca Swiss and others. The FR3 with the 4-101 attached is the first bracket  that gives you the function of a "L plate" .

The flash rotator has always been mainly a hand held bracket. Most models could be mounted on a tripod but the tripod head had to be turned for verticals. This is a slight problem with a standard body camera but can be a major problem with a camera with battery grip or large body since the camera and flash stick way out on the side in a unbalanced condition. Most photographers that use a tripod prefer to use quick release plates on the bottom of their cameras that mate up with the tripod head. In a flash bracket situation they prefer to be able to quickly go from hand held to tripod. Now for the first time Newton has a flash rotator bracket that will allow this. The FR3 allows the user to place their quick release plates on the bottom and side of the FR3 base and not only go from hand held to tripod but also allows vertical positioning without moving the tripod head. And the camera is as solid as it would be mounted without the bracket. When mounted in the vertical position a simple turn allows the flash to go directly over the lens, keeping the flash in the same orientation that it was in the horizontal position. In addition the base has a built in stand that allows the camera to solidly sit when not in use. All of this including quick release plates at about 13 oz. When the flash is not needed the rotator can be removed and stored and the base can be left on the camera with the plates. Since the base with plates only weighs just over 7 oz it is about the same weight as a "L plate" that would do the same job but not have the built in stand or the ability to attach a flash rotator. Yes you could mount a clamp to the back of your bracket but how much weight are you adding plus you would have to attach another plate to the bottom of the bracket so the bracket and camera could be mounted on a tripod.  The FR3 should be considered if you need a bracket that can be used for both hand held and tripod flash photography.