Extension Arm That Can Support Weight & Can Be Adjusted

S

SDub

Well-known member
Hi,

I currently have an over-head rig in my small studio that I attach things to like this.

Currently the gear I'm using is a GH5, a mediocre ballhead, panasonic's 12-35 f/2.8 lens, and an impact super clamp and 3 section impact arm. This works pretty well and it allows me to adjust the position of the overhead camera (somewhat easily), which is necessary.

I'm looking to upgrade to a setup that is much heavier, if possible: a BMPCC6k, a Manfrotto MH057M0-Q5 ball head, and a Canon 24-105 f/4 lens, and if I can manage, a smallrig cage for the BMPCC6k. The new ballhead can hold the camera no problem, but the issue is the clamp I have not having the greatest gripping power and the arm itself. I picked up this clamp and it seems to have more gripping power than the Impact Super Clamp, but that leaves the arm. Basically what I want is an entirely metal version of this, but I don't think that exists? I could recreate it with metal support arms and grip heads, but that seems a little extreme. I started to look at gimbal arms which might be the best of both worlds in terms of supporting weight and allowing easy movement. Am I on the right track here, or is there an obvious alternative solution?
 
It seems that the main 'upgrade' will be to have the camera directly under the top pole.

The superclamps are not going to undo (even with a much heavier camera), but they will spin on the top pole.

With the camera directly below the top pole there are no spin forces, only tensile forces. And when there are no spin forces there will be no spinning.

If the top rig is 48mm scaffloding you could consider getting some more kee klamp and having a 'drop' pole hanging from the ceiling. Or (better idea?) Some other poles in the top rig to help get a super clamp DIRECTLY above where you want to hang the camera.

I dont think there is anything wrong with superclamps it is just understanding which forces they resist. They dont resist spin forces well.

The cludge at the bottom of the magic arm is not helping.

Or you could do some form of triangulation. use 2/3 magic arms for the camera.

Just keep the basic physics in mind. Gravity exists, leverage exists. Even chunky grip doesnt really resist these.
 
Funny you mention klee fittings, the whole rig is put together with them and some conduit. I did think about removing that force on the arm and recently installed a second bar slightly behind the front bar.
PXL_20210517_021431761.jpg

I am just worried that whenever I'd like to do anything other than pan the camera, it will not maintain the position.
 
I would consider moving A-B out and adding C/D which can be held in place with two "scaffolding putlog coupler"

C-D should be easily moved.

Using 'putlog couplers' C-D can be dropped into place without taking the rig apart unlike KEE Klamp or regular scaffolding.

You would need the special scaffolders imperial size spanner to lock it off.

You can then hang the camera from C-D while it is much more on axis and reduce rotational torque on the magic arms.

Or you could get another bit of scaff and hang it from CD using a KEE Clamp joint 'long tee'

For safety I sometimes modify my KEE Tee joints adding a pin (m8 bolt) through the join and the scaff to make sure you cannot drop the tube.

View attachment 143284
 
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