Thursday, January 22, 2009

Camera Shooting Platforms

We have published a new article to our Tech Tips section of our website about full camera stands and their advantages over using a tripod in the studio:

When thinking about camera support systems, many of us might not think far beyond a tripod. And while tripods definitely have their place in the photographer's arsenal, they're designed more for portability and location work, not the studio floor. Try to adjust the height of your camera from six feet down to six inches quickly or try to roll it smoothly along your studio floor - It's just not going to happen.

Introduce a permanent camera stand into your studio and you'll soon realize how sturdy and versatile a platform you can have. You'll gain the freedom to move and position your camera without hassle. You'll project a serious, highly prepared and well equipped image to those in your studio. Combine a camera stand with a wireless triggering system and you can eliminate the camera as a barrier between you and your subject, easing conversation and building rapport.

We have put together a few options that could add a whole new level of flexibility to your studio:

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One setup we use in our studio features the popular Studio Titan Side Kick Stand. With a simple Bogen/Manfrotto adaptor plate (028) you can connect any Bogen/Manfrotto tripod head and have a quick, efficient camera platform.


Pros:
- Quick height adjustment from one foot up to eight feet by way of trigger grip arm.
- A full range of positions are available with Bogen/Manfrotto tripod heads.
- Lightweight for ease of movement across studio floor.
- Inexpensive and cost effective. Can be set up for under $400.

Cons:
- Most Bogen/Manfrotto tripod heads do not maintain the lens center line when adjusted from landscape to portrait orientation. This may require repositioning the camera stand to restore similar framing. This problem is solved with our second example below.
- Most Bogen/Manfrotto tripod heads place the weight of the camera directly above the adjustment fulcrum, creating the opportunity for dramatic if not dangerous weight shifts when knobs are loosened for adjustment. This problem is also solved with our second example below.
- Studio Titan Side Kick Stands may not have enough weight in the base to support a full size DSLR body and a full-featured tripod head when positioned towards the top of the stand.

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Pros:
- Quick height adjustment from one foot up to seven feet by way of adjustable cross arm.
- Full range of position available with Custom Brackets Gimbal Head.
- The Custom Brackets Digital Format Studio Bracket maintains the lens center line when adjusted from landscape to portrait orientation.
- There is far less chance of dramatic if not dangerous weight shifts when knobs are loosened for adjustment because of how the Custom Brackets Gimbal is designed (with the fulcrum above the camera body).
- The Studio Titan Pro 4 Camera Stand has the weight and stability to support a full size camera with the Custom Brackets Gimbal and Studio Bracket combination at it's maximum height.

Cons:
- This system is not easily transported out of the studio or from one location to another.

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Finally, we have adapted the use of the Custom Brackets Gimbal & Studio Bracket setup for our Studio Rail Systems. Obviously, this isn't an option if you don't have a rail system, but for studios already trying to eliminate the floor clutter of stands and cables, this setup is a natural extension of that idea.

Pros:
- Quick height adjustment within the range of rail system panograph.
- Full range of position available with Custom Brackets Gimbal Head, including strait down (with the film plane parallel to the floor).
- The Custom Brackets Digital Format Studio Bracket maintains the lens center line when adjusted from landscape to portrait orientation.
- Because of how the Custom Brackets Gimbal is designed (with the fulcrum above the camera body) there is far less chance of dramatic if not dangerous weight shifts when knobs are loosened for adjustment.

Cons:
- This system requires a studio rail system for installation.

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