Tripod + boom arm?
Nikolai
Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
Anybody knows of a boom arm + clamp that can be attached to a standard tripod mount (hopefully via QR clamp of some sort)? :scratch
TIA!:thumb
TIA!:thumb
"May the f/stop be with you!"
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Bogen/Manfrotto makes one for use to get down low for macro shooting......was popular before we had center posts that would pull up and slide into various angles (maybe that is just Giottos that does that
I think I know what you're talking about, I was thinking about it too, but IIRC it doesn't get high enough... maybe I'm wrong, I can't find the specs...
Good Luck
Well, that's my problem. Boom clamps/arms usually attach to the light stands. I need it to be attached to a tripod.
Usually a light stand is much lighter and actually just as stable as a tripod......do you need to go straight up or at an angle???
Best solution in my opinion is a few sandbags filled with rocks or whatever is handy on location to hold the feet down......canvas sand bags are mucheasier to pack than what your thinking of doing.....even if had to carry a small "army" shovel to dig dirt with.......
Sorry I haven't been much help:D:D:D
It comes down to physics. The leg spread on a tripod is designed for maximum support and stability with the camera in a relatively centered position. That is why they don't make long arms for tripods. There is a radius of optimal support. Outside that radius and you loose stability.
The leg spread on a light stand is designed for good stability over a wider range. If you want stability at odd angles or on uneven surfaces you need to get your center of gravity low to the ground. Art is correct in suggesting sand bags. I however hate the overpriced things that are sold. My solution is to go to Wally World to the sporting department and buy some sets of 10lb ankle weights. They velcro strap on and can be wrapped around the center post right above the support arms or on individual legs. They don't slip or slide around and provide an amazing amount of counter balance. The good thing is they are cheap. $15.00 a pair (20lbs total) The bad thing is, you can't dump the weight and fill them there. They do however have individual 2 lb tube that come out so you can lighten them if you don't need all that much weight.
FYI, if memory serves me correctly the Bogen boom arm clamp will attach to a standard female flash bracket stud mounted ontop of a tripod. Due to head design you are not going to get much ability to change angles as the head plate is probably be in the way.
I respectfully disagree on the stand vs tripod stability.
Light stands have minimal leg spread and due to their symmetrical leg construction can only operate on an even horizontal surface. Even a slight slope sets them dangerously off balance.
Tripods, however, are designed to operate on any terrain, at least those with an independent legs. Due to the same fact can also provide a much wider support area. Imagine all three legs being fully extended and almost parallel to the ground - they would have a circle almost 10ft in diameter!
Interesting idea on the ankle weights though. I never thought of those, and it sounds like a good investment, cause I really hate how the sandbags slip along the legs. I wouldn't call them dirt cheap (my sandbags from amvona came at $18 a pair), but at least they would seem to work better in the outdoor environment.
I guess it begs to ask the questions then, do you need lighting at height or is sitting it on or close to the ground acceptable. Also what form of strobe are we talking about here? If you need height then light stands and weight is going to be your best option. If low to the ground is acceptable then a tripod will provide more stablity as yes you can splay the legs more, but you sacrifice height. The only booms that I know of that would make up for that much lost height would be the heavy duty studio booms that are going to be heavy enough to counter balance your gain in stability.
One thing to consider also is the stands you use. For studio stands with monolights I prefer the Manfrotto's. They are heavy duty indeed and I have yet to have a problem. For travel use with shoe mount strobes I have and use the Giottos 13' stands. They are lighter with longer legs that cover more ground than the comperable Manfrottos. They provide better stability on uneven ground or in breezy conditions, especially with a 10lb ankle weight approximately 3" above the ground on the center post.
The Wally World ankle weights are great for all kinds of uses. The only sandbag I have left that I use is a small one that is listed as a 1 kilo bag for my tripods. Of course that is 1 kilo of sand. I found that two, 1000 count bottles of BB's exactly filled up the two sides of the saddle bag and it is now a 5 kilo bag in a small saddle bag.
Outdoor ligths: Sunpak 555 (predecessor to 622)
Stands I currently use: 10' no-names
The problem with stands is that they all have the interlocked legs and they are, uhm, straight. I have no issues with the in the studio or even in the urban jungles. However, if the area is very uneven, like here...
I only got lucky because there was an even ground at the floor of the dam. And I used the sun as the hairlight. Otherwise there was no way I could put my ligth stands up there where I would need them. With a decent tripod and a boom arm it wouldn't been an issue. :-)
To get that kind of height then you will probably need to look at something like this.
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/4327?livid=2&idx=9
You will probably need to jury rig up some sort of attachment plate to get it onto a tripod.
The other alternative would be to just buy a cheap light stand, remove the legs and use this on a set of tripod legs.
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2886?livid=39&idx=51
Or go with something like this for the boom arm.
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2887?livid=39&idx=51
Which was exactly my original question
Wait a second...
I know!!!
Tripod legs have the screw on top. I can attach a female/male spigot combo and thus convert the top of the tripod to a light-stand-like top, then any lightstand accessory would fit! Yay!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830997622&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Digital+Camera+Tripod-_-TRIOPO-_-30997622
You could use superclamps and a Bogen/Manfrotto 061RA Right Angle Joining Stud
This allows two superclamps to be joined at a 90 degree angle to each other. This will allow almost unlimited clamping options.
You can use your tripod legs for the uneven terrain, then simply clamp a light stand (legs still folded) to your tripod. On the center post or a leg.
You could even configure this like a boom, just use your ankle weight(s) on the other end - just like you would counterweight a studio boom.
Good luck.
http://www.aproductiontool.com/enter/id1.html
That is just one I came across yesterday, but there are many many manufactuerrs. I think if you do a google search for "jib arm tripod" or something you might find it? I can't really recall any of the manufacturer names or site, I'm sorry.
Great, very much what I was looking for! Now I can do more research!
And I can use it in studio as a C-stand! :ivar
Thank you very much!!!
Randy,
thank you very much, very interesting direction!!! I'll explore it!