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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: tapjunkie on December 06, 2019, 12:47:43 PM

Title: Armrest Clamp
Post by: tapjunkie on December 06, 2019, 12:47:43 PM
Looking for a mic pole clamp that will allow me to set up in a tight seat situation.  Don't want to stealth when the show is open, but there is no room for a stand. Do not want to hand hold either.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Title: Re: Armrest Clamp
Post by: goodcooker on December 06, 2019, 01:57:56 PM

I've used several different approaches to this.

In order of preference -
1) Manfrotto Superclamp with Manfrotto 196 articulating arm on the arm rest - if for some reason the arm rest is shaped so that you can't make it work then
1b) Superclamp + 6 extension + Manfrotto 099b extension pole clamped below somewhere on the seat base support.

2) Windtech C clamp with 24 inch flexible gooseneck (the firm kind not the real floppy kind)

3) unopened stand gaff taped to the seat - I almost got tossed from a nice theater once when doing this. A head usher got freaked out thinking I was using duct tape in their historic theater, gave me a real hard time and threatened me with expulsion and damages. I asked him to radio anyone on the production crew and explain I was using gaffer's tape. So he did, right there standing over me, and said "Oh, so gaff tape is fine? Are you sure?" Then told me to have a good night and walked away.
Title: Re: Armrest Clamp
Post by: tapjunkie on December 06, 2019, 04:30:32 PM
Thanks!
Title: Re: Armrest Clamp
Post by: DavidPuddy on December 06, 2019, 05:51:55 PM
I use a Manfrotto 649 for stuff like this. Yes, it's expensive, but you'll never have to buy another one.

https://www.adorama.com/bg649.html
Title: Re: Armrest Clamp
Post by: voltronic on December 07, 2019, 08:30:00 AM
I use a Manfrotto Super Clamp for things like this, and it holds plenty tight enough even with an 099b pole at full extension.  I just did this earlier in the week, clamping to a stage lip.

If I didn't own the Manfrotto clamps already, I might be getting one of the 9.Solution clamps (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=1353&fct=fct_brand_name%7c9.solutions&N=4062040374), which look really good.

These 3 look especially well-suited to this application:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1208746-REG/9_solutions_9_vb5080_barracuda_clamp.html (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1208746-REG/9_solutions_9_vb5080_barracuda_clamp.html)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1208752-REG/9_solutions_9_vp5081b_python_clamp_with_snap_in.html (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1208752-REG/9_solutions_9_vp5081b_python_clamp_with_snap_in.html)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1426914-REG/9_solutions_9_xs1005b_savior_clamp_with_socket.html (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1426914-REG/9_solutions_9_xs1005b_savior_clamp_with_socket.html)
Title: Re: Armrest Clamp
Post by: Walstib62 on December 07, 2019, 10:28:39 AM
Also...Matthews clamps...https://www.adorama.com/l/Photography/Lighting-and-Studio/Light-Stands-and-Mounting/Grips-comma-Clamps-and-Arms/Matthews~Clamps
Title: Re: Armrest Clamp
Post by: mfrench on December 07, 2019, 11:08:55 AM
And, since there is no such thing as a perfectly horizontally level arm rest,.... an incredibly handy tool:
(https://www.markertek.com/productImage/HI-RES/MSA9500.JPG)

or, there is also the mean ghetto lean technique.
Title: Re: Armrest Clamp
Post by: rockumal on December 07, 2019, 10:13:25 PM
mt
Title: Re: Armrest Clamp
Post by: morst on December 08, 2019, 01:55:18 AM
Also...Matthews clamps...https://www.adorama.com/l/Photography/Lighting-and-Studio/Light-Stands-and-Mounting/Grips-comma-Clamps-and-Arms/Matthews~Clamps (https://www.adorama.com/l/Photography/Lighting-and-Studio/Light-Stands-and-Mounting/Grips-comma-Clamps-and-Arms/Matthews~Clamps)
Matthews... Hm. the so called Matthelini clamp seems to be an affordable knockoff of the Cardellini clamp
https://www.filmtools.com/grip-and-electrical/grip-clamps-and-clips/cardellini-clamps-cardellini-com.html
Title: Re: Armrest Clamp
Post by: voltronic on December 08, 2019, 09:17:15 AM
Also...Matthews clamps...https://www.adorama.com/l/Photography/Lighting-and-Studio/Light-Stands-and-Mounting/Grips-comma-Clamps-and-Arms/Matthews~Clamps (https://www.adorama.com/l/Photography/Lighting-and-Studio/Light-Stands-and-Mounting/Grips-comma-Clamps-and-Arms/Matthews~Clamps)
Matthews... Hm. the so called Matthelini clamp seems to be an affordable knockoff of the Cardellini clamp
https://www.filmtools.com/grip-and-electrical/grip-clamps-and-clips/cardellini-clamps-cardellini-com.html

Impact makes this style even cheaper:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/860797-REG/impact_me_114_center_jaw_vise_grip.html (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/860797-REG/impact_me_114_center_jaw_vise_grip.html)

I really think this style of clamp should only be used for an armrest if you can get it attached so both outer flat faces of each jaw are gripping on the surface.  You wouldn't want to rely on just the outer lip of each jaw.

Super Clamps come with those triangular inserts to be used when clamping to flat surfaces, and I find them to be very useful in this kind of application.