Balcony Adjustable Camera Mount

[NickVon]

Our Theatre space is used for a vide variety of activities. We have a little High End Consumer camera that we use to recorde weekly lectures for a class so they can be podcast. We also on occasion use the camera for Wide angel of the entire theatre, and/or a more focus shot of the Projector screen/ whole stage/ or just podium.

As of now. The camera has a flimsy plastic mount that is not "adjustable focus" friendly. It design implies aiming a camera tighting the mount joint and never touching it again. our balcony level is (the control booth) with a flat floor and a lighting positions of two rails at knee and chest hight. The current mount is below the floor level of the balcony on the wall facing the stage (with the adjusting screw on the under side.)

I'm been trying to google search for a camera mount that can be attached to either, our standard sized electric's pip, or the wall, but has a more standard "tripod" adjustment/tightening functionality.

Any one have such a thing? thoughts on unbuilding a tripod and adding a c/clamp to it? A Motorized remote controled mount is probaly outa price range and a little overkill, unless "one fell of the back of a truck somewhere cheap". Thank you for any input.

[derekleffew]

I'm not certain, but I believe this

tripods, heads, monopods, light stands, camera supports, lighting supports, professional tripod 400 - GEARED HEAD

can attach to this

tripods, heads, monopods, light stands, camera supports, lighting supports, professional tripod Product List

See also

Super Mafer 486 - The Tube Clamp Camera Mount

As with everything overhead, be sure to use a safety cable as a secondary means of attachment.

[Fred]

Beaten to it -
Above mount (2nd picture + manfroto ball head) is exactly what I have. Attaches to everything from a standard pipe to a convenient 2x4/edge of plywood.

The head is the same thing as would attach to a tripod - above the entry level they tend to come as sepperate parts. I found mine at a local camera specialty shop (with the added convenience to playing with different configuations to find the one I liked).

Just be sure your head is set up for a video camera-slightly different than a still foot (the thing that attaches to the camera). Most are universal, but some may not be).

[NickVon]

Yikes that "ball head" is pricey. I guess my brain pricing on video/camera equipment is WAY off :-) I'll gona browse around that manfrotto site maybe another ball head will better fit my budget and needs. After all the camera is not refocused that often just looking for something much easier then yanking a ladder out and usinga scredriver and crescent wrench to tighting the current one from the under side.

[Footer]

Keep in mind the more the camera weighs the more the head will cost. Most professional heads are made for 15-20lb cameras. If you have a 5lb prosumer camera, you can get a cheaper head.

[NickVon]

Yes Footer,

I've found this
Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging | 482 Micro Ball Head | 482 | B&H

and it's a Cannon FS22 with a beachteck XLR mic input box mounted on it.

not a huge camera :-)

This is the camera
Canon | FS22 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder | 3419B001 | B&H Photo

[SHARYNF]

If you search on Ebay Camera Ball Head you will see a number of under 50 dollar ball heads that should work. What I did for a number of remote controllable cameras is to have a l shaped bracket made up that the ball head is attached to on the long side of the L and then a clamp is attached on the short side. With the Ball head it is easily adjustable and works great.

Sharyn

[BillESC]

I'd suggest a different direction, change the camera, not the mount.



The Sony EVI-D70 is a fully robotic camera with an amazing zoom capability, pan/tilt, auto focus and works down to 1 lux of light.

[SHARYNF]

Interesting Bill mentions the EVI D70.. what I mount on these l brackets are the Canon VC50. It has a 26x optical zoom etc

Canon VC-C50i Pan/Tilt/Zoom Camera

Sharyn

[NickJones]

You can get robotic camera heads for under $100.
IR Motorised Pan/Tilt Camera Mount
Wired Motorised Pan/Tilt Camera Head

An 'el cheapo tripod will cost you under $50 put if you want smooth panning it must be a fluid head. However if you have another camera you can cut to when it's moving, your cheapy one will do fine.

Nick