Topic: Q for Users of Manfrotto or Lowell Extension Poles

[stevetoney]

I just bought a manfrotto 7-foot pole.  I understand most people use a superclamp and the standard bronze stud to latch onto, but what do you buy to put in the bag for when you need the pole to latch on at 90 degrees from the stud?

[acidjack]

There's a part that is an umbrella piece that I believe does that. I also have arms that can swing at 90 degrees.

Here it is: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=546375&gclid=CjwKEAjwns6hBRDTpb_jkbTv1UYSJACBhber5P85gOL2vwYU8H1iYOP3T1vIoTKxgT18wg8CWTikbRoCJ1Xw_wcB&Q=&is=REG&A=details

[stevetoney]

There's a part that is an umbrella piece that I believe does that. I also have arms that can swing at 90 degrees.

Here it is: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=546375&gclid=CjwKEAjwns6hBRDTpb_jkbTv1UYSJACBhber5P85gOL2vwYU8H1iYOP3T1vIoTKxgT18wg8CWTikbRoCJ1Xw_wcB&Q=&is=REG&A=details

Perfect thanks.  That will come in handy for my 'brelly too!

[Gutbucket]

In a pinch I've hooked two superclamps together- one clamping onto the extension pole. It clamps securely but can't support an overly large pivot 'moment' since the stiffness in the rotary plane between clamps is determined by how tight you can screw down the thumb screw on the brass stud to keep the double-clamp assembly from twisting.

[Ultfris101]

If I understand what you're trying to do, I like the stability I get with two super clamps and one of the 90degree locking studs so I don't have to rely on just getting the screws tight on a round stud. One clamps on a vertical surface like the wall of sbd booth and the other is at 90 to clamp on the pole. (i just realized this is what Gutbucket described with a locking stud added)

It's added weight but having two super clamps comes in handy a lot.

I was doing this to keep a manfrotto 0991b up from a sound board booth wall, but lately I'm using it to keep my full stand stable resting on the floor with legs retracted to get added support.

Took me a while to find it the first time and i just went to look again and I had forgotten what to search for. It's called a "right angle joining stud"

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546366-REG/Manfrotto_061RA_061RA_Right_Angle_Joining.html

[stevetoney]

Hmmm.  I might get two superclamps with studs and that umbrella dealie.  Would cover me in every situation, though it would be weighty for my bag.  Maybe one of the superclamps stays home except on special occasions, but I do like the idea of using it as a stabilizing clamp to keep from having to extract the legs on my normal stand in situations where I have something to lock onto.

[tim in jersey]

In a pinch I've hooked two superclamps together- one clamping onto the extension pole. It clamps securely but can't support an overly large pivot 'moment' since the stiffness in the rotary plane between clamps is determined by how tight you can screw down the thumb screw on the brass stud to keep the double-clamp assembly from twisting.

Manfrotto makes a hex stud for mating 2 Superclamps @ 90* to prevent that problem.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546366-REG/Manfrotto_061RA_061RA_Right_Angle_Joining.html

ETA: Didn't read entire thread before posting. D'oh!

[Gutbucket]

That hex stud would be useful.  I've used this double clamp technique as a way to clamp to the angled top tube hand-rail of a steel railing on a staircase a few times.  The other times the two clamps have been useful is at either end of a single-telescopic Bogen extension, used as an adjustable horizontal brace between a vertical stand and a railing or fence or something.  Either to just brace the stand for added topple prevention or to hold it vertical with two legs on the ground and one leg in the air if the ground beneath is not level.

It's definitely a weight penalty to carry two, so I only bring both if I think I might need them.

[mccordo]

Either of these may come in handy. They're both small and lightweight yet strong and steady.  One has the hex end and the other has a round end, but both fit in the superclamp. I keep one or both in the bag all the time just in case.

http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-042-Extension-Arm-Stud/dp/B001M4HTDY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412741956&sr=8-1&keywords=manfrotto+extension

http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-203-Mini-Extension-Clamp/dp/B000FTFZY2/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1412741956&sr=8-5&keywords=manfrotto+extension

[ScoobieKW]

Either of these may come in handy. They're both small and lightweight yet strong and steady.  One has the hex end and the other has a round end, but both fit in the superclamp. I keep one or both in the bag all the time just in case.

http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-042-Extension-Arm-Stud/dp/B001M4HTDY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412741956&sr=8-1&keywords=manfrotto+extension

http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-203-Mini-Extension-Clamp/dp/B000FTFZY2/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1412741956&sr=8-5&keywords=manfrotto+extension

I ground the hex part of the 042 round. Like the extra length of it vs the 203, but wanted more flexibility

[stevetoney]

Jeez, I never realized there were so many options surrounding superclamp, not to mention that there's a half dozen or so different stud designs.  Now I gotta figure out which of all the recommendations/idea's you guys have presented will apply to most of my taping situations...either that or just buy a couple superclamps and one of everything else.   

[Ultfris101]

I started out using one of the shorter extension arms and it worked ok but made me nervous since it had a round stud end and could slip. I was hooking up stabilizers. I got a second super clamp and it was better, but still didn't solve the stability concern completely. Then I discovered the hex studs.

I did not at the time realize the extension arms had a hex option but that's a good option too but you lose the diversity the dual super clamp provides.

My two super clamps locked in parallel position with the 90 degree offset joining stud fit perfectly in one of the outside pockets on my portabrace bag so aside from weight it is very convenient and for my usual haunts I use it almost every time.

Super clamps really are super. Everybody should have a couple in my opinion.

I have one of the umbrella adapters as well that folds to different positions. Nice to have but at least the one I have is a little on the small/light side for me to use to hold up much weight by itself and then you're back to the round vs hex stud issue.

[Gutbucket]

Mine are Adorama sourced superclamp copies, still work super at about half the cost.  Only difference is the clamp handle is a 'T' shape instead of an 'L', the clamp itself is identical AFAIK.

[tim in jersey]

Mine are Adorama sourced superclamp copies, still work super at about half the cost.  Only difference is the clamp handle is a 'T' shape instead of an 'L', the clamp itself is identical AFAIK.

I prefer the 'L' with a ratcheting handle. I have a few local venues where I need to clamp to the lip of a vertical steel I-Beam. The vert lip on steel I-Beams are beveled and to clamp securely to them you need a lot of pressure.  The fixed-handle Superclamp with either the 'L' or the 'T' doesn't allow full rotation to get the additional 1.5>2.5 additional turns to get the proper "bite" to fully suspend the clamp/mics to my liking.

World Cafe Live in Philly is another example. There's a horizontal toe-board in the down-stairs venue balcony that is perfect for clamping to, but the vertical portion of the railing up there does not allow full rotation of either fixed-handle clamps. The ratchet clamp, FTW.

Finding a SuperClamp-Clone with a ratchet handle has been a bit of a moving target. Last I looked there's this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/824360-REG/impact_cc_106r_super_clamp_with_ratchet.html

[Ultfris101]

I like the Impact super clamps with the T shaped handle as well. I get enough leverage and don't have to worry about the tight space up against a wall or something. The ratcheting handle option is something I just noticed which is interesting.

I have two of the Impact super clamps and one manfrotto with the longer handle.

And I'll refer readers to the excellent Clampaholics thread which started me on my quest originally: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=151303.0

I've been struggling with how to keep up with all the little bits like studs and thread adapters, xlr adapters, etc. that I don't need often but when I need it i need it.

I've been debating tool boxes vs tackle boxes that I can leave in my trunk as well as considering a Pelican 1610 or something big I can put a lot of stuff in I don't use much and leave in the trunk but also wheel around if necessary.