Third Camera Idea at DVinfo.net

Dana Salsbury · March 27th, 2007, 08:38 AM

Our first and second cams are run by my wife and I, on both sides of the isle. Traditionally we place the third camera in the back -- most of the time fairly low to the ground. We go for the straight-down-the-isle shot so we don't have to worry about folks standing up.

IDEA: I want to get a boom for my tripod so I can position my third cam behind the back isle on the groom's side. The cam would be about 9-10 feet up there, so I wouldn't have to worry about people standing. The boom would point toward the alter, so I would be even closer to the action, and with that I could plug in a uni-directional shotgun mic w/a fuzzy muff-monster as a backup for when the wind blows or the officiant turns off his lavalier.

Thoughts?

Darrell Aubert · March 27th, 2007, 09:50 AM

As the owner of an crane I really don't think you want to be lugging that thing around at weddings. Not only it is an increased safety hazard (falling down on top of someone), especially since you'll be leaving it all by itself, its just not pratical IMO. I've contemplated using it at some places and I might in the future but the hassel of bringing it, setting it up, and taking it down is just too much to worry about during a wedding.

EDIT: I just noticed you're talking about a boom, are you talking about a boom CRANE or just a normal boom? If you're talking about a normal boom then some of what I said is moot but it's still a hazard IMO.

Patrick Moreau · March 27th, 2007, 09:57 AM

Hi Dana,

While I don't use it in the way you do, I do operate a 3rd or 4th cam in that same way. I have a heavy duty backdrop stand that goes up to about 10-11 feet high. I have a bogen super clamp on top which allows me to adjust the camera to any angle I want. It is a very cheap setup and I use it as a balcony type shot when there is no balcony.

Patrick

Dana Salsbury · March 27th, 2007, 11:38 AM

Excellent. It's good to see that someone's doing it.

You know, if the the camera falls on someone I've got two other cameras that would catch the footage. I could then sell the footage to pay for a lawyer. (Always thinkin')

Dana Salsbury · March 27th, 2007, 12:03 PM

Actually, Patrick, would you tell me more about the setup. I can't seem to ind anything that would take my tripod to new heights and not freak out the bride. You mentioned a backdrop?

Don Bloom · March 27th, 2007, 12:46 PM

just for an extra idea. The Bogen 3046/3246 legs with the extention and when fully cranked up will do about 10 feet in height. I know it's not the same as a boom or crane but perhaps it might be a bit more practical.

Just a thought.

Don

Patrick Moreau · March 27th, 2007, 12:49 PM

I am talking about the same idea as Don. I use something like this on ebay item # 290095961924. It goes rather high, is very well built, offers much better support than a regular light stand, and is very affordable. Throw a bogen clamp on the top and you can adjust the cam however you want and the whole thing s still very portable.

Patrick

Rick Steele · March 30th, 2007, 11:10 AM

Get a 10 or 15 foot photographer's "light stand" add a 1/4" adapter and you're good to go. (A small ladder is needed of course).

Bruce S. Yarock · March 31st, 2007, 07:09 AM

Patrick,
Do you have a link to the bogen clamp you mention?
Thanks
Bruce Yarock
www.yarock.com

Randall Allen · March 31st, 2007, 01:53 PM

Found this at my local junk dealer. Seems to be some where between 7 and 8 feet tall to the top joint. I could stand flat footed and just barely reach the crank....I' 5'9" or so.

Its made mostly of plastic but the braces seem to be thin aluminum. The legs are definitly plastic.

Randy

Paul Nguyen · April 2nd, 2007, 03:52 PM

Having a camera up that high, my only worry would be that the footage it produces might look like it came from a security camera. The difference being that in Hollywood shoots the crane usually performs some kind of slow tracking or pedestal movement.

Nice idea for a crane though.

March 27th, 2007, 08:38 AM	#1
Dana Salsbury Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 859	Third Camera Idea Our first and second cams are run by my wife and I, on both sides of the isle. Traditionally we place the third camera in the back -- most of the time fairly low to the ground. We go for the straight-down-the-isle shot so we don't have to worry about folks standing up. IDEA: I want to get a boom for my tripod so I can position my third cam behind the back isle on the groom's side. The cam would be about 9-10 feet up there, so I wouldn't have to worry about people standing. The boom would point toward the alter, so I would be even closer to the action, and with that I could plug in a uni-directional shotgun mic w/a fuzzy muff-monster as a backup for when the wind blows or the officiant turns off his lavalier. Thoughts?

March 27th, 2007, 09:50 AM	#2
Darrell Aubert Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 56	As the owner of an crane I really don't think you want to be lugging that thing around at weddings. Not only it is an increased safety hazard (falling down on top of someone), especially since you'll be leaving it all by itself, its just not pratical IMO. I've contemplated using it at some places and I might in the future but the hassel of bringing it, setting it up, and taking it down is just too much to worry about during a wedding. EDIT: I just noticed you're talking about a boom, are you talking about a boom CRANE or just a normal boom? If you're talking about a normal boom then some of what I said is moot but it's still a hazard IMO. __________________ Darrell Aubert Aubert Films

March 31st, 2007, 01:53 PM	#10
Randall Allen Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 192	Try this..... Found this at my local junk dealer. Seems to be some where between 7 and 8 feet tall to the top joint. I could stand flat footed and just barely reach the crank....I' 5'9" or so. Its made mostly of plastic but the braces seem to be thin aluminum. The legs are definitly plastic. Randy Attached Thumbnails

March 27th, 2007, 09:57 AM	#3
Patrick Moreau Still Motion Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,186	Hi Dana, While I don't use it in the way you do, I do operate a 3rd or 4th cam in that same way. I have a heavy duty backdrop stand that goes up to about 10-11 feet high. I have a bogen super clamp on top which allows me to adjust the camera to any angle I want. It is a very cheap setup and I use it as a balcony type shot when there is no balcony. Patrick

March 27th, 2007, 11:38 AM	#4
Dana Salsbury Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 859	Excellent. It's good to see that someone's doing it. You know, if the the camera falls on someone I've got two other cameras that would catch the footage. I could then sell the footage to pay for a lawyer. (Always thinkin')

March 27th, 2007, 12:03 PM	#5
Dana Salsbury Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 859	Actually, Patrick, would you tell me more about the setup. I can't seem to ind anything that would take my tripod to new heights and not freak out the bride. You mentioned a backdrop?

March 27th, 2007, 12:46 PM	#6
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	just for an extra idea. The Bogen 3046/3246 legs with the extention and when fully cranked up will do about 10 feet in height. I know it's not the same as a boom or crane but perhaps it might be a bit more practical. Just a thought. Don

March 27th, 2007, 12:49 PM	#7
Patrick Moreau Still Motion Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,186	I am talking about the same idea as Don. I use something like this on ebay item # 290095961924. It goes rather high, is very well built, offers much better support than a regular light stand, and is very affordable. Throw a bogen clamp on the top and you can adjust the cam however you want and the whole thing s still very portable. Patrick

March 30th, 2007, 11:10 AM	#8
Rick Steele Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado USA Posts: 654	Get a 10 or 15 foot photographer's "light stand" add a 1/4" adapter and you're good to go. (A small ladder is needed of course).

March 31st, 2007, 07:09 AM	#9
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	Patrick, Do you have a link to the bogen clamp you mention? Thanks Bruce Yarock www.yarock.com

April 2nd, 2007, 03:52 PM	#11
Paul Nguyen Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, NSW Australia Posts: 31	Having a camera up that high, my only worry would be that the footage it produces might look like it came from a security camera. The difference being that in Hollywood shoots the crane usually performs some kind of slow tracking or pedestal movement. Nice idea for a crane though.