Mounting 2 cameras on one tripod

Roger Gunkel · October 19th, 2014, 07:35 AM

Thanks for that Adrian, a very clear demo of how it works. It looks very professional and as you say pretty quick to set up if you leave the heads in place. I noticed you are panning the cameras by holding the camera itself rather than using a panhandle. Is there provision on the heads for a pan handle?

Yours looks like a better solution than mine for stage shows and shoots where there is more of a fixed filming position. I think mine probably gives more flexibility for weddings, as I can use the normal tripod handle for main panning, which gives less chance of vibration as it is central. Yesterday, I had the second video camera clamped to the central column for the ceremony, and when I went to the bottom of the aisle to get them coming down, I just quickly unclamped it and re clamped it to a nearby upright for a different angle.

Both ways have their advantages and disadvantages depending on the type of shoot.

Thanks for the video, very interesting, hope you managed to get some sleep!

Roger

Adrian Tan · October 19th, 2014, 11:09 AM

In terms of setup time, I spend some time adjusting the distance of the heads at the start of the video, but this isn't necessary -- you could just leave them fixed in whatever position is preferred. So, setup would then just be a case of attaching it to your tripod, and then attaching cameras.

Re the pan arms, I guess the main reason I don't normally use them is because when they're attached it's trickier to pack. But definitely they'd make for easier and better operation.

Dave Partington · October 19th, 2014, 04:02 PM

Adrian, thanks for this. It shows what I feared, that playing with one camera always affects the other. It's just the way it's going to be when they are connected :(

Barry Hunter · October 20th, 2014, 03:01 AM

I use the Haig Twin Tripod bracket shown here
Hague THM75 Twin Head Tripod Mount 75mm - Cameragrip
Works well for me!

Roger Gunkel · October 20th, 2014, 05:07 AM

Mine is made by Hague and is about as simple as you can get. I have used it for about 5 years for both 3d and multicam work. Just a simple plate with a cork non slip top face and two slots with sliding mounting screws. Also extra threaded holes at either end. I use it to fix cameras to directly or with a remote pan and tilt. Also great for flash/lights/mics and very cheap! Hague TCM Twin Camera Mount - Cameragrip

Roger

Peter Riding · October 20th, 2014, 07:12 AM

Remember folks you may not even need to buy anything new at all to achieve two cams on one tripod.

This config uses an old boom arm pole together with a couple of superclamps:

http://www.ashtonlamont.co.uk/images/dvi/dualcam1.jpg

And an old unloved dSLR cage:

http://www.ashtonlamont.co.uk/images/dvi/dualcam2.jpg

BTW Adrian I find the 701 heads difficult to achieve a smooth pan with. I guess you might well get the smoothest pan by moving the camera body itself. I tend to have mine on lightstands and I loosen one joint in the stands pillar and rotate from there :- )

Pete

p.s. those old dying sweet peas are coming out this afternoon!

October 19th, 2014, 07:35 AM	#16
Roger Gunkel Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: LIncolnshire, UK Posts: 2,213	Re: Mounting 2 cameras on one tripod Thanks for that Adrian, a very clear demo of how it works. It looks very professional and as you say pretty quick to set up if you leave the heads in place. I noticed you are panning the cameras by holding the camera itself rather than using a panhandle. Is there provision on the heads for a pan handle? Yours looks like a better solution than mine for stage shows and shoots where there is more of a fixed filming position. I think mine probably gives more flexibility for weddings, as I can use the normal tripod handle for main panning, which gives less chance of vibration as it is central. Yesterday, I had the second video camera clamped to the central column for the ceremony, and when I went to the bottom of the aisle to get them coming down, I just quickly unclamped it and re clamped it to a nearby upright for a different angle. Both ways have their advantages and disadvantages depending on the type of shoot. Thanks for the video, very interesting, hope you managed to get some sleep! Roger

October 19th, 2014, 11:09 AM	#17
Adrian Tan Trustee Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 1,149	Re: Mounting 2 cameras on one tripod In terms of setup time, I spend some time adjusting the distance of the heads at the start of the video, but this isn't necessary -- you could just leave them fixed in whatever position is preferred. So, setup would then just be a case of attaching it to your tripod, and then attaching cameras. Re the pan arms, I guess the main reason I don't normally use them is because when they're attached it's trickier to pack. But definitely they'd make for easier and better operation.

October 19th, 2014, 04:02 PM	#18
Dave Partington Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: York, England Posts: 1,323	Re: Mounting 2 cameras on one tripod Adrian, thanks for this. It shows what I feared, that playing with one camera always affects the other. It's just the way it's going to be when they are connected :( __________________ Qualified UAV Pilot with CAA PFAW Aerial Photo / Aerial Video \| Corporate Video Production

October 20th, 2014, 03:01 AM	#19
Barry Hunter Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Newton Abbot Devon Posts: 46	Re: Mounting 2 cameras on one tripod I use the Haig Twin Tripod bracket shown here Hague THM75 Twin Head Tripod Mount 75mm - Cameragrip Works well for me!

October 20th, 2014, 05:07 AM	#20
Roger Gunkel Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: LIncolnshire, UK Posts: 2,213	Re: Mounting 2 cameras on one tripod Mine is made by Hague and is about as simple as you can get. I have used it for about 5 years for both 3d and multicam work. Just a simple plate with a cork non slip top face and two slots with sliding mounting screws. Also extra threaded holes at either end. I use it to fix cameras to directly or with a remote pan and tilt. Also great for flash/lights/mics and very cheap! Hague TCM Twin Camera Mount - Cameragrip Roger

October 20th, 2014, 07:12 AM	#21
Peter Riding Major Player Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Reading Berkshire UK Posts: 872	Re: Mounting 2 cameras on one tripod Remember folks you may not even need to buy anything new at all to achieve two cams on one tripod. This config uses an old boom arm pole together with a couple of superclamps: http://www.ashtonlamont.co.uk/images/dvi/dualcam1.jpg And an old unloved dSLR cage: http://www.ashtonlamont.co.uk/images/dvi/dualcam2.jpg BTW Adrian I find the 701 heads difficult to achieve a smooth pan with. I guess you might well get the smoothest pan by moving the camera body itself. I tend to have mine on lightstands and I loosen one joint in the stands pillar and rotate from there :- ) Pete p.s. those old dying sweet peas are coming out this afternoon!