grahamc Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Generally speaking, which is stronger? round or square or carbon tube (slightly left field and probably too expensive)? basically I am building a car rig for photography and the "long" arm is last piece that I need. Basically the kit will be 2x suction pads, some clamps, a long tube and then the camera mount. I dont want to end up spending a fortune on this bit only... Only needs to hold the weight of my dslr and wide angle lens, rough guess 1kg. I would ideally also need to be able to break the full down and carry around 3 or 4 sections, rather than having to carry 1 stupidly long piece. Options: square round carbon option Any other ideas/thoguhts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter richards Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 square more ridgid than round, also ask him if he has the next size down this way one will fit inside the other , just need to weld a nut on the end after drilling a hole will act as a telescopic extension. also id go to your nearest steel stockholder and see what they have there , if you only need a small bit chances are you might get a cutt off , plus you can see the fit between the two sizes , or go for stainless even stronger and wont corrode ally will fur up after time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 square more ridgid than round And easier to work with when it comes to joining them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themodifiedkid Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 I always thought a circle is a stronger shape? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colsoop Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Graham what suction pads and clamps are you using ? If its manfrotto then i would go with the ally round tube. At the moment my rig has an old painters pole but it moves too much and isn't long enough really. I am going across to ally tube about 10 feet long to get some better angles. As for the sections bit you could make it in 2 pieces and maybe weld a bolt in to one tube and a nut in the other then screw together like a snooker cue, but you will have to experiment. Flex is the big issue for any rig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted June 30, 2009 Author Share Posted June 30, 2009 square more ridgid than round, also ask him if he has the next size down this way one will fit inside the other , just need to weld a nut on the end after drilling a hole will act as a telescopic extension. also id go to your nearest steel stockholder and see what they have there , if you only need a small bit chances are you might get a cutt off , plus you can see the fit between the two sizes , or go for stainless even stronger and wont corrode ally will fur up after time Was thinking about the telescopic bit, but with flex being the worst enemy, I thought external clamps that tighten on both ends would have been a better idea. And easier to work with when it comes to joining them Good to know.... with my welding skills I always thought a circle is a stronger shape? I thought so at first... but apparently not... Graham what suction pads and clamps are you using ? If its manfrotto then i would go with the ally round tube. At the moment my rig has an old painters pole but it moves too much and isn't long enough really. I am going across to ally tube about 10 feet long to get some better angles. As for the sections bit you could make it in 2 pieces and maybe weld a bolt in to one tube and a nut in the other then screw together like a snooker cue, but you will have to experiment. Flex is the big issue for any rig. Why the round tube? Manfrotto super clamps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colsoop Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Was thinking about the telescopic bit, but with flex being the worst enemy, I thought external clamps that tighten on both ends would have been a better idea. Good to know.... with my welding skills I thought so at first... but apparently not... Why the round tube? Manfrotto super clamps http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceball.gif Weight is the reason. They are very good clamps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted June 30, 2009 Author Share Posted June 30, 2009 Weight is the reason. They are very good clamps. dammit!! forgot about the weight of the tubing!!! CF it is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colsoop Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 dammit!! forgot about the weight of the tubing!!! CF it is Be careful with the Cf and make sure you have a decent wall thickness on the tube as those clamps have a lot of oomph to them ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter richards Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 whats the max distance you want it go out to ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted June 30, 2009 Author Share Posted June 30, 2009 Be careful with the Cf and make sure you have a decent wall thickness on the tube as those clamps have a lot of oomph to them ! honestly doubt I can afford the carbon fibre tubes... You got any pics of yours? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted June 30, 2009 Author Share Posted June 30, 2009 whats the max distance you want it go out to ? I think its 10' or 3m, th 1st 1m will be the holding area clamped to the vehicle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter richards Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 ive got an extentable brush that i use when i do the odd caravan , , thats telescopic, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colsoop Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 honestly doubt I can afford the carbon fibre tubes... You got any pics of yours? Sadly not, Ed may have taken a pic but we were shooting in the middle of the day so couldn't get the shutter speeds needed so only did a few shots with it on. Have you checked this thread ? It has a few different variations and ideas, some better than others (it's a big thread so get a cuppa): http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=490505 The kit list for mine is as follows: 2 x manfrotto 241 suction cups. 3 x manfrotto super clamps + ally extension tubes for 2. 1 x manfrotto magic arm. painters pole, want to change to ally tubing as it flexes too much as is ! I really need to get going on taking more pics, the photography has taken a back seat for the moment which is a shame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted June 30, 2009 Author Share Posted June 30, 2009 ive got an extentable brush that i use when i do the odd caravan , , thats telescopic, hmmm, if its anything like a a painters pole, it will have too much flex Sadly not, Ed may have taken a pic but we were shooting in the middle of the day so couldn't get the shutter speeds needed so only did a few shots with it on. Have you checked this thread ? It has a few different variations and ideas, some better than others (it's a big thread so get a cuppa): http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=490505 The kit list for mine is as follows: 2 x manfrotto 241 suction cups. 3 x manfrotto super clamps + ally extension tubes for 2. 1 x manfrotto magic arm. painters pole, want to change to ally tubing as it flexes too much as is ! I really need to get going on taking more pics, the photography has taken a back seat for the moment which is a shame. Yeah, reading that.... I am on page 36 or so Is the magic arm not too heavy? Ball head should suffice, instead of the magic arm, but obviously not as flexible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted June 30, 2009 Author Share Posted June 30, 2009 thoughts on these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MANFROTTO-SUPERCLAMP-SUPER-CLAMP-SUCTION-MOUNTING-MOUNT_W0QQitemZ280314903382QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_TripodsSupports?hash=item414411fb56&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1683%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter richards Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 hmm , probably right there , never gave the flex a thought when scrubing a manky caravan lol. running out of ideas , got to be something you can use , without having to make one , or do they do designated poles but probably silly prices Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colsoop Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 hmmm, if its anything like a a painters pole, it will have too much flex Yeah, reading that.... I am on page 36 or so Is the magic arm not too heavy? Ball head should suffice, instead of the magic arm, but obviously not as flexible. It held just fine with both suction cups, (yet to test at the extreme end with 10 feet of tube though !). I was a bit nervous at first balancing the 40d plus wide angle lens off the end of the pole, I wish i kept my 350 d for exactly that purpose but such is life Yep ball head would be perfect, i chose the magic arm because i wanted the option of not using a large pole and maybe attaching to the rear screen or side windows with a small pole. It gives me options of shooting over the top of the car to get in car shots kind of like the boom for a film camera if that makes sense ? (im yet to try this theory fully though ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted June 30, 2009 Author Share Posted June 30, 2009 hmm , probably right there , never gave the flex a thought when scrubing a manky caravan lol. running out of ideas , got to be something you can use , without having to make one , or do they do designated poles but probably silly prices probably going to be easiest to get the 1m poles and then get "snooker cue joining" mech fitted afterwards. And maybe use exterior clamps for additional support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted June 30, 2009 Author Share Posted June 30, 2009 It held just fine with both suction cups, (yet to test at the extreme end with 10 feet of tube though !). I was a bit nervous at first balancing the 40d plus wide angle lens off the end of the pole, I wish i kept my 350 d for exactly that purpose but such is life Yep ball head would be perfect, i chose the magic arm because i wanted the option of not using a large pole and maybe attaching to the rear screen or side windows with a small pole. It gives me options of shooting over the top of the car to get in car shots kind of like the boom for a film camera if that makes sense ? (im yet to try this theory fully though ) Most stories I have read, people are scared of putting a D300 or any bigger on. Good thing I am keeping my D40X when I get my D300 Might have to consider some shorter poles (later) as well for just those sorts of interior (etc) shots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colsoop Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 thoughts on these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MANFROTTO-SUPERCLAMP-SUPER-CLAMP-SUCTION-MOUNTING-MOUNT_W0QQitemZ280314903382QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_TripodsSupports?hash=item414411fb56&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1683%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50 Are you going with one or 2 suction cups ? If its 2 which i would suggest then you're going to need the flexible arm version so that you can attach it to the side of a car and keep both cups attached. I went with 2 of these: http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=11020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colsoop Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Most stories I have read, people are scared of putting a D300 or any bigger on. Good thing I am keeping my D40X when I get my D300 Might have to consider some shorter poles (later) as well for just those sorts of interior (etc) shots. I stayed alongside the camera at all times you only need a couple of MPH at most Its going to be a case of experimenting with poles so to speak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted June 30, 2009 Author Share Posted June 30, 2009 Are you going with one or 2 suction cups ? If its 2 which i would suggest then you're going to need the flexible arm version so that you can attach it to the side of a car and keep both cups attached. I went with 2 of these: http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=11020 2 minimum... forgot about the need to move the head/clamps around... good thing I posted here I stayed alongside the camera at all times you only need a couple of MPH at most Its going to be a case of experimenting with poles so to speak definitely, but weight wise, the D40 is a lot lighter than the D300.......... and cheaper if the worst happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colsoop Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 2 minimum... forgot about the need to move the head/clamps around... good thing I posted here definitely, but weight wise, the D40 is a lot lighter than the D300.......... and cheaper if the worst happens. A much better bet I also bought a couple of machined ally poles to fit in to the clamps that then fitted in to the suction cups. It raised the clamps about 10 cm above the suction cup. Im trying to find where i got them from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted June 30, 2009 Author Share Posted June 30, 2009 I stayed alongside the camera at all times you only need a couple of MPH at most Its going to be a case of experimenting with poles so to speak A much better bet I also bought a couple of machined ally poles to fit in to the clamps that then fitted in to the suction cups. It raised the clamps about 10 cm above the suction cup. Im trying to find where i got them from. interesting... a little more clearance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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