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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: su6oxone on February 06, 2009, 01:41:29 PM
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I'm trying to find a swivelling piece that will let me connect a Superclamp and a Bogen extension pole so that I can have a right angle connection between the clamp and the extension pole. There are several of these umbrella clamps on B&H but I'm not sure from the descriptions if these will be able to accept a 5/8" stud on both ends (one for the clamp, one for the extension pole). Anyone have any experience with these kinds of swivel pieces?
(http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/32350.jpg)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=workaround.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=32350&is=REG#includes (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=workaround.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=32350&is=REG#includes)
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i have one of the manfrotto umbrella mounts. i use it more as a way to articulate the stereo bar for different configurations then for an umbrella, but you really never know when it will rain, right? i think it will work for what you are trying to do, and have some measurements for you. First of all, the adjustment of this will go just beyond 90 degrees in both directions. Without a protractor, I would venture to say that it will travel from the straight in line position that is shown in your picture to approximately 100-110 degrees. As far as the ability to accept 5/8 spigots, the answer is yes, as long as they are long enough.
Okay, some measurements for you. the openings at either end are 11/16 inch, with a depth of 1 3/4 inch. The tee handled lead screw will clamp down fully leaving approximately 1/16 inch of unclamped space. the four tipped knob lead screw when fully inserted leaves about 3/16 left over. Keep in mind, there is also a knurled knob that clamps the umbrella hole, (which is 3/8 inch diameter) a little past half way. you will have to find a sweet spot where knobs are not interfering with each other, which should only come into play with the tee handle and the umbrella knurled knob, which are on the same side of the elbow joint.
I hope this makes some sense.
Now, for how I use this with clamps:
Home depot carries a C-clamp that has a third lead screw that runs perpendicular to the C. with very little effort, I was able to remove this lead screw, and low and behold, it is a standard 3/8 16TPI, like the standard microphone mounting hardware. this of course opens all kinds of possibilities, as I replaced the tee handled lead screw here, with a length of 3/8 16TPI all-thread. I also use some other hardware to increase the diameter a little, which fits into the manfrotto umbrella mount, and viola! I have a clamp capable of variable opening sizes (the C-clamps are sold in various openings), and with various lengths of all-thread and the manfrotto elbow, an unlimited clamping option. of course, this is just one clamping option of many out there.
I hope this helps a little! i will try to upload some photos to help out
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I think weight is your chief concern. What is the max load the umbrella joint can withstand?
I've got an adjustable arm which can accept a 2 supers; locking on one end, and a non-locking on the other for rotational and the total load capacity is about 9lbs, maybe 12lbs and that's essentially a full body set, and 1 or 2 sets of actives, and/or maybe some other metal bits for shocks and whatnot with a little safety margin built in.
How far/close do you want your pole to stick out?
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Wow... I posted the original question almost exactly one year ago! Anyway, thanks for the input guys. I did end up buying this umbrella swiveling piece and it does actually bend all the way to 90 degrees. Not sure what the max load it can handle but I ended up attaching it to a Bogen super clamp on one end and a Bogen 86" or 92" extension pole with my mics on the other end, at a 90 degree angle, and it worked perfectly and I had no concerns about stability. I really like this piece because it is very sturdy, well built, and useful, even though it (the Lumadyne version) does cost $10 more than the Bogen version that looks exactly the same and costs $30.
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Wow... I posted the original question almost exactly one year ago!
I just looked at the date of the reply for some reason. doh...