Clamp Advice Please?

[Peter Rush]

Hi all - I've been using these clamps to attach a handycams to stair railings etc, and it's ok but the mounts are a little wobbly

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm looking to replace them with something of a similar size but better engineered - any advice?

Cheers

Pete

[Mark Watson]

I highly recommend the Clamp Tripod. I got both the small and large versions. I have trusted the large one with about 6 Lbs. of camera on it, clamped to a balcony railing. I wish the pads were slightly softer rubber, but that's nit-picking. The small version is good for about 2-3 Lbs.

They sell both at the same web-site you linked to.


Mark Watson

[Peter Riding]

For real strength you really need Manfrotto super clamps rather than any form of crab clamp. They also open wider than crab clamps.:

Super Clamp Without Stud 035 - Super Clamps | Manfrotto

They come with inserts so that they can clamp around round and flat surfaces securely. They have a 1/4" female socket so you can screw in a normal friction arm minus its crab clamp, or you can insert numerous types of studs to which you simply attach a ball head:

Manfrotto MN036-14 Light Stud 5/8M+1/4 S/Clamp - Only £4.00 - Park Cameras Online

If you need a bit more distance between the ball head and the clamp and you don't want to use a friction arm - because of it rotating under its own weight - you can use a Manfrotto rigid extension arm, again with a ball head:

Manfrotto 042 Extension Arm for Super Clamp (042) - Wex Photographic

I think you already know about the incredibly strong and small FLM ball head:

FLM CB18 Ball Head - Ball Socket


These Osrso ball heads got a good write-up as well:

Osrso Inexpensive Mini Ball Heads for Accessories CheesyCam

These Delkin Fat Gecko clamps are secure and open wide:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Delkin-Gecko.../dp/B003BWD6W8
Pete

[Peter Rush]

Great advice thanks guys - and very timely as I'm just editing yesterday's wedding and the footage from one of my clamped cameras starts to wobble - looking at the view from another camera I can see someone's 'little darling' fiddling with it!!!!

Yes Peter on your recommendation I bought a few FLM Heads - very well made :)

Pete

[Dave Partington]

Originally Posted by Peter Rush

Great advice thanks guys - and very timely as I'm just editing yesterday's wedding and the footage from one of my clamped cameras starts to wobble - looking at the view from another camera I can see someone's 'little darling' fiddling with it!!!!

Yes Peter on your recommendation I bought a few FLM Heads - very well made :)

Pete

Yes indeed, no clamp in the world will prevent "little darling" induced wobble.;)

[Peter Rush]

Or indeed bouncy marquee floors - of which I also had yesterday - anyone walked within 10 feet of my light stands and they swayed like masts at sea!