New member and digital videographer here, so this may be a bit of a newb question...
I am looking for the best option to mount my HMC150 to a stationary, vertical pole/pipe w/ 1.5" circumference. I am hoping to establish an unassisted, static shot for a long stage event (loud rock concert) and hope to lock down as vibration free as possible. There is adequate space around the pipe so clearance is not an issue but floor space is unavailable so I can't use a tripod. Bolting in something permanent is also possible, since I will have sufficient time before and after the event to setup/breakdown. I understand a safety cable is a given.
My brainstorming and research have yielded too many potential (hairbrained?) ideas and I would love some feedback for how realistic or suitable these solutions may be.
An HMC150 weighs about 5 lbs with battery and is 6 inches wide, so I guess I'd need a 4" offset from the pole. But I want to minimize the offset to cut down leverage/vibration.
Thanks in advance for any help. Sorry for the post length
I figure I need ~3 basic pieces to pull this off (1) mount to the pipe (2) something to connect and orient a camera head 3/8" bolt vertically and (3) tripod head to allow minor adjustment, minor tilt, and leveling before locking down.
Part (1) mount to the pipe
Super clamp: I understand this is the industry standard. But will this slip or loosen during an event? I'd prefer some redundancy. How sturdy is the slot where one introduces the extenders or plugs? Am I underestimating this thing?
Truss clamps: http://www.silverflight.com/ac/clamps.htm (HLC or O clamp) These seem bulletproof and I can maybe get 2 on one setup. But will this advantage be offset by the solutions for part (2)? Will the connection bolts and wingnuts be strong enough?
Homemade: Using hardware intended for industrial uses such as hand railings http://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/116/gfx/large/9578t72p1l.gif Or a homemade solution made with pole band straps? Could maybe use two of these. But like the truss clamp are these advantages offset by whatever I use to connect to part (2)
Part (2) something to orient a 3/8" bolt for camera head vertically.
Extension arm: http://www.studiolighting.co.uk/html/clamps.html works with the super clamp and can orient a 3/8" thread vertically for a camera head. At 7" and only one thin piece of metal. Will this introduce vibration? Might these twist in the connection port?
Manfrotto Magic Arm: same as above. Would it be too long and shaky?
L shaped or 90 degree camera plate: Ideally would accommodate 2 vertical bolts from 2 truss clamps. I haven't found one of these for a larger camcorder but here is one for a camera http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/656416-REG/Custom_Brackets_CMP_L_CMP_L_Camera_Plate_for.html I'm imagining a "shelf" or triangle to create a pedestal for the the 3/8" bolt head mount. Do these exist?
Part (3) tripod head to allow minor adjustment, tilting & leveling before locking down. I know there is a ton of discussion on DVXuser about tripod heads but I haven't seen anyone ask about locked down applications? Is a ball head a more secure lock down? Or would a 501 and 701 head be more stable in terms of vibration and lock down and no slippage?
Ball heads: If these do I need a 498 or will a 496 be enough?
"Fluid" heads: I'm assuming a 701 will work with its 8lb limit? Will a higher weight limit 501 @ 12lbs increase lock down stability or minimize vibration? I am totally unconcerned about smooth motion.
Am I missing anything?
Thanks again.
I am looking for the best option to mount my HMC150 to a stationary, vertical pole/pipe w/ 1.5" circumference. I am hoping to establish an unassisted, static shot for a long stage event (loud rock concert) and hope to lock down as vibration free as possible. There is adequate space around the pipe so clearance is not an issue but floor space is unavailable so I can't use a tripod. Bolting in something permanent is also possible, since I will have sufficient time before and after the event to setup/breakdown. I understand a safety cable is a given.
My brainstorming and research have yielded too many potential (hairbrained?) ideas and I would love some feedback for how realistic or suitable these solutions may be.
An HMC150 weighs about 5 lbs with battery and is 6 inches wide, so I guess I'd need a 4" offset from the pole. But I want to minimize the offset to cut down leverage/vibration.
Thanks in advance for any help. Sorry for the post length
I figure I need ~3 basic pieces to pull this off (1) mount to the pipe (2) something to connect and orient a camera head 3/8" bolt vertically and (3) tripod head to allow minor adjustment, minor tilt, and leveling before locking down.
Part (1) mount to the pipe
Super clamp: I understand this is the industry standard. But will this slip or loosen during an event? I'd prefer some redundancy. How sturdy is the slot where one introduces the extenders or plugs? Am I underestimating this thing?
Truss clamps: http://www.silverflight.com/ac/clamps.htm (HLC or O clamp) These seem bulletproof and I can maybe get 2 on one setup. But will this advantage be offset by the solutions for part (2)? Will the connection bolts and wingnuts be strong enough?
Homemade: Using hardware intended for industrial uses such as hand railings http://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/116/gfx/large/9578t72p1l.gif Or a homemade solution made with pole band straps? Could maybe use two of these. But like the truss clamp are these advantages offset by whatever I use to connect to part (2)
Part (2) something to orient a 3/8" bolt for camera head vertically.
Extension arm: http://www.studiolighting.co.uk/html/clamps.html works with the super clamp and can orient a 3/8" thread vertically for a camera head. At 7" and only one thin piece of metal. Will this introduce vibration? Might these twist in the connection port?
Manfrotto Magic Arm: same as above. Would it be too long and shaky?
L shaped or 90 degree camera plate: Ideally would accommodate 2 vertical bolts from 2 truss clamps. I haven't found one of these for a larger camcorder but here is one for a camera http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/656416-REG/Custom_Brackets_CMP_L_CMP_L_Camera_Plate_for.html I'm imagining a "shelf" or triangle to create a pedestal for the the 3/8" bolt head mount. Do these exist?
Part (3) tripod head to allow minor adjustment, tilting & leveling before locking down. I know there is a ton of discussion on DVXuser about tripod heads but I haven't seen anyone ask about locked down applications? Is a ball head a more secure lock down? Or would a 501 and 701 head be more stable in terms of vibration and lock down and no slippage?
Ball heads: If these do I need a 498 or will a 496 be enough?
"Fluid" heads: I'm assuming a 701 will work with its 8lb limit? Will a higher weight limit 501 @ 12lbs increase lock down stability or minimize vibration? I am totally unconcerned about smooth motion.
Am I missing anything?
Thanks again.