GH2 Getting an overhead shot with the GH2

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AdventMediaProductions

Active member
I am planning to do a shoot that requires an overhead shot of a piano keyboard. Does anyone have a stand or mounting solution for getting the GH2 to point straight down from about 6 feet in the air? I would use a large tripod but it won't fit above the keyboard properly.

Any ideas?
 
Use an under-slung slider or ladder-dolly that is designed to be used upside-down. If you can't rig this, then a jib on a dolly track and point the camera down, or mount it under-slung if the jib supports it.
 
Thanks for the reply!

I think a jib should work. Can anyone recommend me one that is relatively cheap? I don't foresee needing anything heavy duty, (since it will be use for solely the GH2) and I don't even need it to move (as I will be using it for a stationary shot). Any recommendations?
 
For a static overhead shot, Just strap your tripod horizontally on the top of a ladder, and aim the camera onto the piano keyboard.
 
boom off of a C-stand, and use your favorite cheap solution to rig a 1/4-20 mount point with a ball head for adjustment.
 
Thanks for the additional replies.

jleo, I like the simplicity that your solution has. What would you recommend to strap the tripod down? a rachet strap, sandbags?

mcbob, that was the solution that I came up with initially, I'm just no sure about the adapters from the camera into the C-stand arm. Any ideas?
 
Lots of possible clamps... Impact makes one version, I often use a Sunpak ClampPod in a variety of configurations (usually without the gooseneck)
 
What would you recommend to strap the tripod down?

Just gaffers tape or duct tape would be the easiest way.
 
AdventMediaProductions said:
I am planning to do a shoot that requires an overhead shot of a piano keyboard. Does anyone have a stand or mounting solution for getting the GH2 to point straight down from about 6 feet in the air? I would use a large tripod but it won't fit above the keyboard properly.

Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Very sturdy (extremely sturdy) light stand and counterweighted boom. Be sure and sandbag the stand legs. Use a stepladder to position and compose, start the recording and move the step ladder out of the way. Trim the recording as necessary and be sure to shoot "cutaways" with a second camera.
 
Really low-budget but good: two steady ladders, a two by four and a super-clamp to attach camera rig to the lumber. Sandbag the ladders if you are unwilling to risk the health of the pianist.
 
AdventMediaProductions said:
Wow, the ClampPod seems awesome. I assume I would just clamp onto the C-Stand arm and position accordingly then?
Click to expand...

Yep, the ballhead and gooseneck seperately unscrew (1/4-20 studs). I put the ballhead directly on the clamp, clamp the ClamPod to the arm (or whatever), and then cinch it down with a c-clamp, gaffer tape, or something similar. Gotten away with a lot of interesting mountings with that cheap little doohickey.
 
Ive got a large overhead lightstand that i had planned on using for overhead shots. Does anyone know of a bracket that fits onto those lighting metal end tabs with a thread to thread a ballhead on?
 
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