Official Automotive Rigs - DIY Thread

[jhelms]

No problem... I just got back from picking up my 2nd 10' section of 1.6" OD AL RMC, hope to have a chance to cut it tonight into a 4' and 6' piece and do some test fitting again!

Anyone else have any comments on the width and superclamp issue?

[n1nj4 m0d3]

holy cow, this thread has blown up! nice job sharing to everyone who participated :)

10 second shutter @ 10mm f/9, dim garage. pushed.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3625/3547178775_66a2faae0d_o.jpg

.5 second shutter @ 10mm f/5 with CPL, taken during sunset. on cruse (1st gear)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2380/3544380470_0b7786d185_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2454/3544381956_49f9c0eb3e_o.jpg

[Konstantinos]

here's a new one i recently did

http://digitalremix.net/upload/uploads/1/shoots/challenger_9989.jpg

[Bots'_Revenge]

I'd like to share with you my first real rig. Today I finally managed to put it together.

I'm using a 10', 1.6" aluminum pole, some steel cable, one superclamp, one small ballhead and two cheap suction cups. I'm really looking forward to changing at least one of them with one Avenger F1000.

I found that a 10' pole is just too long for me, so I cut mine in two pieces. I used a 20" piece of another pole to attach the 5' pieces together. Thus the entire rig is a lot easier to transport.

Here it is:
http://stefansolakov.com/other/Rig.jpg

It seems relatively stable on the vertical axis, but I think I'll be having problems with side motion. I'll have to test it and see.

[jhelms]

I'd like to share with you my first real rig. Today I finally managed to put it together.

I'm using a 10', 1.6" aluminum pole, some steel cable, one superclamp, one small ballhead and two cheap suction cups. I'm really looking forward to changing at least one of them with one Avenger F1000.

I found that a 10' pole is just too long for me, so I cut mine in two pieces. I used a 20" piece of another pole to attach the 5' pieces together. Thus the entire rig is a lot easier to transport.

Here it is:


It seems relatively stable on the vertical axis, but I think I'll be having problems with side motion. I'll have to test it and see.


Cool, looks like similar tubing to what I'm using.


Here's a couple of pics showing some more test fitting using 14' of 1.25" trade size AL RMC (1.6" OD).


http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/542679349_PeW5D-M.jpg


http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/542680310_M3RCS-M.jpg


http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/542681498_KjfdL-M.jpg


And a quick one-shot test (driving the car, didn't have any helpers to push) - I'll definitely get some help this weekend to do some steady push shots...

http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/542678199_x7PCV-M.jpg

[Bots'_Revenge]

jhelms, that sure is one long pole! :)
How thick is the wall of your pole?
It looks quite thick so I suppose you don't have problems with horizontal and vertical movement.

[jhelms]

jhelms, that sure is one long pole! :)

Thanks, I hear that a lot :)


How thick is the wall of your pole?
It looks quite thick so I suppose you don't have problems with horizontal and vertical movement.


It is AL RMC (rigid metal conduit) that one of the posters a couple of pages back recommended. They were using 1.5" trade size which measures 1.9" OD but when I tested that with my clamps it was more width than I was comfortable with; although it would be more stable.

What I ended up buying is 1.25" trade size AL RMC that measures 1.6" OD and lists a thickness of .14"

http://www.wheatland.com/marketing/pdf/Alum_Conduit_Insert_2005.pdf

It only comes in 10' sections, so I bought two and cut one of them at the 4' / 6' mark so I can do 14' or 16' when needed. If I need to do shorter, just let more of the pole hang out over the far suction cup (the side that doesn't have the camera mounted on it).

I got it from a local electrical supply place and it was $29 bucks per 10' pipe (including tax). Another benefit is that this stuff is LIGHT too, and both ends are threaded so they can easily be put together with a coupler (one included with each pipe).

As far as the movement, there is some bounce to it when driving the car, but I'll be testing it this weekend doing some 'pushed' shots with the engine off.

[Bots'_Revenge]

Thanks for the info. My pole is almost twice as thin as yours so I fear that I may have to use another wire or rope to stabilize the rig horizontally.

[jhelms]

Thanks for the info. My pole is almost twice as thin as yours so I fear that I may have to use another wire or rope to stabilize the rig horizontally.



Would it be easier to get a different pole?

I tried the extendable painters pole at first and it was super bendy:

http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/535128899_gKJ3a-S.jpghttp://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/538745922_auk2m-S.jpg


The new pole was stable enough for my 2 year old daughter to use as an impromptu jungle gym:

http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/541393671_RfLxm-M.jpg

[drewr]

I am so intrigued by the PP work involved in this.
If someone could make a walkthrough on how they do it i'd be very appreciative. I've been using photoshop for around 5-6 years now and it still boggles me how some of you can make it seem like nothing was there. :shock:

Very keen to make a rig now.

[DonJuanMair]

Guys everyone mentions the car rolling, how do you do this by yourself????

[StreamlineGT]

Teaser from tonights session.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l49/streamlineGT/IMG_7958.jpg

[hphoto]

Here is my first Rig this spring. Not the best but soon it be perfect..

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s52/racer_x02/1111.jpg

[tim721]

I am so intrigued by the PP work involved in this.
If someone could make a walkthrough on how they do it i'd be very appreciative.

I second this, theres some mighty impresive PS work in this thread, a guide would be an invaluable tool.

Thanks Tim

[Jason.Kernal]

Has anyone tried to use a telescoping fiberglass pole? I did a search in this thread and couldn't come up with anyone using one. They make them for kites and as flag poles. 16' weighs in at about 4.5 lbs. Yes there will be some flexing but have you ever seen a massive flag in the wind on one of these.. NOT ALOT OF FLEXING... Anyone??

[DonJuanMair]

met up with a member off here today, idobref to take some shots of his car and he has a sigma 10-20, my widest is 17mm at the moment, damn do i love that wide stuff!!\

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3554/3558032101_f872aeea68_o.jpg

oh and the magic arm is priceless that thing is amazing

[DonJuanMair]

and another

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/3561136177_0c6d353c80_o.jpg

Streamline GT the 10ft pole you have that you recommended, how heavy is it? mine is 9 pounds. My thinner one is 6 pounds, do you think that the extra 3 pounds is really going to make a difference on the hood?

[StreamlineGT]

Streamline GT the 10ft pole you have that you recommended, how heavy is it? mine is 9 pounds. My thinner one is 6 pounds, do you think that the extra 3 pounds is really going to make a difference on the hood?

I don't think it will. I used mine on a Cobra hood, at 13 feet, with no problems. It has a fiberglass hood, which tends to be a little sturdier than metal. Trial and error, my friend, trial and error.

[needforspeed]

Here is a partial rig I made using my tripod and suction cup
Taken at 50mph on a dirt road:D
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3663/3461183683_2bce87d58a_o.jpg

My friend driving my camera into a bunch of weeds.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3519/3462010854_63a384acc2_o.jpg

These weren't taken as fast because were in a parking lot. (maybe 15mph)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3351/3488356032_03cef67804_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3619/3488355622_f3fbf3459f_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3488356856_8e92e889c7_o.jpg



I hope to get some more soon. And from some more angles from both cars.

I'm also working on desgining my own full rig. Here are some shots of my current set-up.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3480/3468945516_1638a248ae_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3656/3468132499_5f27e9f720_o.jpg

Tell me what you think!

[DonJuanMair]

lol your brave!

[saturnin]

yah you dont need to be going 15mph man.. all u need to do is push the car and leave the gate open longer...

[DisrupTer911]

my rig building begins :)

just ordered 2x F1100 Avenger suction cup mounts.

[needforspeed]

yah you dont need to be going 15mph man.. all u need to do is push the car and leave the gate open longer...

Well yeah, but that's no fun!

Plus, it's dangerous to take photos on the road going 1 mph. And that's one of the things I would like to do.

[DonJuanMair]

last one of a set of three for me

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3411/3565349498_38e2915e49_o.jpg

[EMSbyDay]

Well first post on these forums at all here.

Spent the last week or so reading through all 142 pages of this thread. First off I would like to thank everyone who has shared their experiences and rigs.

I have built a temoprary setup, currently using some of those 2-cup plastic dent puller type sunction cups as I had them around the house and some hose clamps. Works fairly well, I would like to upgrade to some Avenger F1000 suction cups but cant seem to find any retail stores in Canada ( if anyone knows of one please let me know ) I took my first set of shots with 1" trade diameter ( inside diameter I guess ) EMT from Home depot but deceide to go with something thicker and now have "1 1/4 trade size" which has a 1 1/2" OD but thi thing is HEAVY and I'm afraid of denting a hood or pulling off a cup. My bathroom scale, although I'm not sure how accurate puts the pole at about 10 pounds. How heavy are the poles you guys are using?

Now to the good stuff. first test shots done with the smaller pole.

Canon 5D 17-40 F4L

Oh, and yes I'm aware that in the last few there is still a pole reflection on the car/headlight, just havnt gotten around to it yet. Been at the wrong computer for editing


http://www.stuckonmedia.ca/images/rig1.jpg

http://www.stuckonmedia.ca/images/rig3.jpg

http://www.stuckonmedia.ca/images/rig4.jpg

http://www.stuckonmedia.ca/images/rig5.jpg

[needforspeed]

http://fc71.deviantart.com/fs42/f/2009/085/b/0/My_Space_by_couleur.jpg

Was this and your other newer shots with your automotiverig.com set-up or with your "t" set-up? I'm not sure which route I want to go.

[StE823]

Took one shot of my friend's stock GTI...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2450/3565737820_354bce0b2f_o.jpg

and the before..
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3576/3565738018_9f300c2bca.jpg

[DonJuanMair]

ste how long is your pole dude?

[n1nj4 m0d3]

http://www.stuckonmedia.ca/images/rig5.jpg

sharp, i like it. watch out for the reflection on the headlight though ;)

[StE823]

ste how long is your pole dude?

it's 15 feet, 5" x3 with two coupling holding together.. still improving the stability tho :)

[n1nj4 m0d3]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3377/3562603348_5310d711e1_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2425/3561787271_3ecb4893e5_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3357/3561787683_6be96b1e87_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3398/3562604542_13fedc6d9e_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3569/3561788517_7ce91895a0_o.jpg

[jhelms]

These shots posted this weekend are awesome - throw some exif data out there too if you can...

[irlan85]

n1nj4 m0d3, I'm really intered in the HOW TO rig a bike, looks so nice that pict!

[syntax error]

Using a painter's pole but I am getting too much flex so I spent most of the time cradling the camera. Hopefully with a redesigned boom, I'll get some better results. Also in desperate need of an ND filter....

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/3566642264_fbfbafd34b_o.jpg

[jhelms]

Don Juan and EMS - I like those pics; what is the exif data on most of those? Or at least the SS / F-stop.

I was still getting too much bounce this weekend with 14' of 1.6" OD AL RMC, so I did some test shots to see if just 10' of length would be enough to get the entire car in with a 12-24mm lens and a 1.5x crop sensor (D200).

It should work, and will be much more stable... only downside is I can't mount as much of the pole on the car, only a few feet:


http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/544763491_5UJXd-S.jpg


http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/544762639_jBL2E-L.jpg

oh yeah, I borrowed my sister-n-law's car for the test fitting and she was like "what the heck are you doing"? :)

[Sil3ntP8nd8]

I found the list finally and I wanted to make sure I got the right parts as model numbers were not shown.

Super clamp with stud
ball head with or without the plate
f1000
pole im not sure which to get yet as I really dont know the difference.

All together with shipping from amazon and adorama was about 250ish without the pole. Just want to make sure so I dont have to return them. Thanks!

[DonJuanMair]

That sounds about right. I'm selling my ball head if you want to buy it.

[Sil3ntP8nd8]

woah. 2 suction cups, 3 clamps, bogen arm (the higher priced one with the end X bar, not sure whats it for but ive seen more pics of ppl using it): total was 340 from adorama. Compared to amazon, adorama was a bit cheaper.

thats without the pipe which will probably be close to 100 as someones setup

[jhelms]

woah. 2 suction cups, 3 clamps, bogen arm (the higher priced one with the end X bar, not sure whats it for but ive seen more pics of ppl using it): total was 340 from adorama. Compared to amazon, adorama was a bit cheaper.

thats without the pipe which will probably be close to 100 as someones setup


Here's a budget setup list for you....

1) 2 suction cups w/o ball head - $39.95 each
http://www.adorama.com/AEF1100.html?searchinfo=f1100

2) 3 adorama version of the super clamp - $17.95 each
http://www.adorama.com/LTPC.html

3) SLIK pistol grip instead of magic arm - $99
http://www.adorama.com/SLAF2100.html?searchinfo=slik+pistol

So probably around $240 shipped?

I use #3 to mount my camera to the superclamp on the end of the pole, and for a pole (currently, although this has been changing almost daily) I'm using 1.25" trade size aluminum rigid metal conduit, 1.66" outside diameter, 10' pipe was $29 bucks with tax, so you could put the whole thing together for $270 with shipping?


BTW.... can someone post a pic of their 1.5" Trade Size AL RMC (1.9" OD) mounted in the super clamp jaws? Thanks!!!

[DonJuanMair]

why would you get that instead of the magic arm? the magic arm is way more versatile than that for the same price

[jhelms]

why would you get that instead of the magic arm? the magic arm is way more versatile than that for the same price


Only if you wanted to compare both quick release models, then there was a ~$40 difference in price.

You're right though the regular magic arm w/o QR is the same price as the pistol grip w/ QR and would give you more angles to experiment with.

[aCiD99]

my DD blazer with me x 3 rowing the boat on ya....LULZ....

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2061/3540770176_e538bd280c_o.jpg

OK, this is absolutely hilarious, especially after my friend told me he was going to keep an oar in my car for when I repeatedly spank people on the street just 3 days ago.

[StreamlineGT]

BTW.... can someone post a pic of their 1.5" Trade Size AL RMC (1.9" OD) mounted in the super clamp jaws? Thanks!!!

Here is the best pic I have, but trust me that it does work. Just trust me. I have already done three cars with the 1.5", and when clamped, the conduit does not come out.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l49/streamlineGT/IMG_7309.jpg

[DonJuanMair]

Brendon is that the same one that i have?
see that part that is connecting the two poles together, what exactly is that, thats just what i need

[StreamlineGT]

Brendon is that the same one that i have?
see that part that is connecting the two poles together, what exactly is that, thats just what i need

Are your poles threaded? It is a threaded coupling. Stand by for pictures.

[StreamlineGT]

BTW.... can someone post a pic of their 1.5" Trade Size AL RMC (1.9" OD) mounted in the super clamp jaws? Thanks!!!

ok, here is a 14 lb. frozen turkey hanging by a Manfrotto Super Clamp, in a position where it would be easiest to come off, if it was going to, which it is not....

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs025.snc1/4270_1077523017837_1219080789_30225695_1164907_n.j pg

Brendon is that the same one that i have?
see that part that is connecting the two poles together, what exactly is that, thats just what i need

Threaded from the factory. I did have two 5' pieces done by a friend of mine that uses this sort of conduit all the time. A plumber can do it also, I would imagine. Try Home Depot also, but I'm not sure about threading something they don't sell.

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs025.snc1/4270_1077523137840_1219080789_30225696_7555033_n.j pg

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs025.snc1/4270_1077523657853_1219080789_30225697_7710317_n.j pg

[Sil3ntP8nd8]

does it make a difference in which magic arm i get?

[DonJuanMair]

hey brendon i finally used that pole you recommended, dayum its soo much better thanks for the heads up and sorry i doubted you :) ill post the results soon

[Joe_Gravelle]

im going to have to dig and see if I can find any sort of parts list like what Brendon used

[EMSbyDay]

jhelms, The majority were at f22, the one from the front while turning was at f13

[Konstantinos]

would going from a 1.5" OD pole to a 1.9" OD pole greatly reduce the amount of bounce/wobble? i get quite a bit right now, even with the stabilization system (bridge wire T setup).

[DonJuanMair]

this one looks a lot better at full resolution

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3378/3569758338_55ebc19ae9_o.jpg

[idobref]

really nice angle man ! like how you can see the side of the road, however its a little too yellow and a little too dark for me.
anyhow... good work :P now gimme back my lens HAHA LOL just kidding

[elysium]

That does look epic. Maybe a bit of bump on fill? Looks a bit dull but that could be my monitor.

I really want to get on to shoot on a public road some a nice backdrop. London is a terrible city for it. :lol:

[DonJuanMair]

a little bit dull? i was going for the dramatic look :)
i like the word epic elysium!

[idobref]

this is one shot only or you used couple of images ?

[DonJuanMair]

just the one dude, that pole man its strong!

[elysium]

a little bit dull? i was going for the dramatic look :)
i like the word epic elysium!
Maybe dull wasnt the right word, I think there is a bit more colour in the photo to bring more drama.

[jhelms]

would going from a 1.5" OD pole to a 1.9" OD pole greatly reduce the amount of bounce/wobble? i get quite a bit right now, even with the stabilization system (bridge wire T setup).


That's an issue I was struggling with this week and I think I'm going to make the jump and follow Brendan's suggestion.

I was worried about the 1.9" OD pole being held properly by the clamps, but based on his pics and statements (and the rated 2.1" width of the clamp), it should be fine.

I'll have a 4' and 6' section of 1.66" OD AL RMC for sale if you or anyone else wants it for an extra section - includes the coupler and both of those pieces are threaded on one side.


hey brendon i finally used that pole you recommended, dayum its soo much better thanks for the heads up and sorry i doubted you :) ill post the results soon


Same here, I'm going to go on Brendon's suggestion and upgrade from my 1.25" trade size AL RMC to the 1.5" trade size AL RMC :D


Thanks for the pics Brendon; that Mustang looks awesome (and that's saying something coming from a Corvette guy).


I did some shots last night for a friend of mine that is trying to sell his 300Z... these were my first real shots, so feel free to be harsh on the C&C, I can take it.


1) This was our first try, rolling the car backwards downhill in my driveway. The concrete expansion joints were a problem (so we moved to smoother pavement after these first three shots).

Sun was setting behind the car, so I flashed all these with an on-camera SB800 that was almost dragging the ground.


http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/547263195_CfkvJ-M-2.jpg
1sec, f22, 12mm, ISO100, CP filter


2 and 3) On these, the flash actually did touch the ground at one point due to some bounce (hence by desire to go to a 1.9" OD pole from this 1.6" OD one).

http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/547265785_Ek2h9-S-1.jpghttp://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/547264694_xeW6J-S-1.jpg
7.1sec, f4, ISO400 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.6sec, f4, ISO400


4) This one was on smoother pavement, but I was using the extension and hanging the camera at the end of the 14' pole. Basically had to shorten the shutter speed to compensate for the extra bounce even though we were on smoother pavement.

It came out a little dark, so I had to add a considerable amount of fill and ended up giving it a little bit of an HDR look. To me, it looks a little too noisy, and the pole shows up in the windshield.

http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/547265989_XC66G-M-1.jpg
5sec, f4, ISO100



Just for fun I got right up front on his front end with the 12mm to really exaggerate the scoops :D
http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/547264709_Xw64K-S-1.jpg



As far as editing, I was only using Lightroom on these, using the crappy cloning circles to try and get the pole out. I also have PS Elements 7.0 - if anyone could point me in the direction of a quick tutorial for editing these in PSE7.0 (I've only used it for panorama stitching and other basic edits) that would be greatly appreciated!

[PJH]

good luck selling that :s

nice pictures though, first one is the best for me

[jhelms]

good luck selling that :s

nice pictures though, first one is the best for me


I know :)

Maybe I should take some fuzzy cell phone pics of it for the actual ad :cool:

He's a good kid though, and I think it's probably been a cool high school car for him (he just graduated this week).

[CH@Dbee]

this one looks a lot better at full resolution


GREAT shot dude.

[DonJuanMair]

Thanks Chad!!

[StE823]

this one looks a lot better at full resolution

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3378/3569758338_55ebc19ae9_o.jpg
great shot, but honestly lighting looks a bit weird to me by comparing the rx8 to the background... looks like a still shot was taken first and keyed on another shot with the blurred background...

[jhelms]

great shot, but honestly lighting looks a bit weird to me by comparing the rx8 to the background... looks like a still shot was taken first and keyed on another shot with the blurred background...


To me that's what makes most of these rig shots so cool looking; it's that the car is sooo tack sharp and the background blurred, it makes the viewer stop and think "wow, how did they do that?"

[DonJuanMair]

no still shot taken here look

before

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k21/DonJuanMair/_MG_3772.jpg

After

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3378/3569758338_55ebc19ae9_o.jpg

[Yellowmsp]

nice edit and shot.... maybe darken the sky in the reflection on the side of the car to match the rest of the sky

[jhelms]

This presented some interesting challenges... a street legal mini dune buggy; knobby tires and thin lexan mounting area didn't do much for stability.

Here's the 1st one from this set that I edited:

http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/549005317_joXNx-M.jpg


Setup shots:


http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/549010489_PHesy-M.jpg
Thanks again for the advice Brendan; here's a close up of my new 1.5" trade size / 1.9" OD AL RMC being held by the clamp.


The small blue tethered leash actually did help some with the stability. The lexan was 'lifting' due to the weight.
http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/549013320_nBnK6-S.jpghttp://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/549015813_6RT7Y-S.jpg


http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/549016750_Lfh5T-M.jpg


And..... YES I'll admit, we slammed the D200 into a light pole! YIKES! :) It took it like a champ though, didn't even notice a scratch. The driver is probably laughing b/c his D200 is safe at his house... :)
http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/549016598_4ooUr-M.jpg

[rigshots]

This presented some interesting challenges... a street legal mini dune buggy; knobby tires and thin lexan mounting area didn't do much for stability.



Using a flash during the rig shot itself defeats the purpose of the rig shot because it freezes the wheels and fore ground. It ruins the effect. Try using a continuous light instead, like a small torch.

JJ

[iNfEk]

i'm so bummed.. I can't find anything to use for a boom locally... :( aluminum pipes aren't the easiest thing to come across... I can get access to galvanized steel but that's pretty heavy. Any other materials I can look into. how about stainless steel? that too is pretty hard to come by here

[iNfEk]

Hey guys, found this thread and thought I'd contribute. I'm using the Avenger F1000 setup, with a magic arm, and super clamps. Using some 1.5" steel piping with compression couplers. Very sturdy - what are you guys using for a boom?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3418/3257661818_5c90d88070.jpg


what's the thickness of your piping and how much does it weigh? does it cause a problem for cars with aluminum hoods?

I'm seriously considering asking one of you to get me some AL RMC piping with threaded adapters and find out the shipping and have it shipped here.

[jhelms]

what's the thickness of your piping and how much does it weigh? does it cause a problem for cars with aluminum hoods?

I'm seriously considering asking one of you to get me some AL RMC piping with threaded adapters and find out the shipping and have it shipped here.


The AL RMC is 100% the way to go IMO.

I have 2 sections for sale, 4' and 6' long, both threaded at one end, coupler included, it's the 1.66" outside diameter pipe, .3" thick IIRC. Not sure how much shipping would be to 808 though...

[iNfEk]

yeah if I could get it here I'd be had already... with that said. what's the total weight of the AL RMC and does it flex at all? how fast can you drive with AL RMC as a boom? I'd like to have 15' total length at the same thickness you're selling.

how much you selling those sections for?

[SamClarkPhotography]

Neat concept and designs!

[jhelms]

yeah if I could get it here I'd be had already... with that said. what's the total weight of the AL RMC and does it flex at all? how fast can you drive with AL RMC as a boom? I'd like to have 15' total length at the same thickness you're selling.

how much you selling those sections for?


I'd like to clear $25 bucks, so however much it would cost to ship.

Look back just a page or two at Brendon's posts, he shoes some pics and back to back comparisons of the AL RMC.

And I posted a .pdf with all the tech specs on the AL RMC.

[iNfEk]

well.. so the two can be put together to get 10' then? how much does it cost per foot? what would the shipping cost be to 96707

[bReed]

Is anyone selling a magic arm or know where to purchase them?

[jhelms]

well.. so the two can be put together to get 10' then? how much does it cost per foot?


Correct, about 30 bucks for a ten foot beam, which is the only length they make it in (according to the store and the specs I was able to find).

[jhelms]

Is anyone selling a magic arm or know where to purchase them?


www.adorama.com (http://www.adorama.com)

[e r y k]

hmm. i dont think a 10ft pole is gonna fit in my car LOL!

[StE823]

no still shot taken here look

before

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k21/DonJuanMair/_MG_3772.jpg

After

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3378/3569758338_55ebc19ae9_o.jpg
yea that's awesome, but to me the car seems bright compare to the background... u get what i mean?

[StE823]

did a test shot with my improved stability rig... really a bad timing to do it under a hot 2pm sunny day...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2432/3577070825_cbcec77506_o.jpg

and the before...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/3577146975_814732f44f.jpg

[jhelms]

hmm. i dont think a 10ft pole is gonna fit in my car LOL!


Buy my 4' and 6' sections then :)

[bReed]

stE did you use a ND filter?

and those maguc arms are around 100 bucks! Damn.

[StE823]

yes i did... sucks i got NDx8 + CP only... not good enough for bright sunny day.. only gives me 0.5" on my 40D

[Sil3ntP8nd8]

just want to make sure again, I think i got everything but the pole which I will be ordering from a metal shop online.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3375/3578928642_6668c92f52_o.jpg

[bReed]

yes i did... sucks i got NDx8 + CP only... not good enough for bright sunny day.. only gives me 0.5" on my 40D
Im going to need to get a CP and a ND when i get my 16-35 what does everyone recommend? i dont know how dark i should get.

[CH@Dbee]

Im going to need to get a CP and a ND when i get my 16-35 what does everyone recommend? i dont know how dark i should get.
i use a 0.9 3 stop ND filter and CP filter and that works out great as long as i dont try to shoot at 1PM on a sunny day

[bReed]

Well im in the sunshine state so i think i might something darker than that!

[quickster]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2421/3581115228_5777a38211_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2432/3580296845_8736a69f45_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/3581116450_0b616768b3_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3400/3581117186_b7997a3fb4_o.jpg

[jhelms]

Anyone have a quick tutorial for editing these in PSE7.0? I have so far only used LR but the circle cloning tool is really limiting.

These are the ones I'm going to edit next:


http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/550932964_rjjn5-M.jpg


http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/550932437_YbzX3-M.jpg


http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/550931592_yrPrr-M.jpg


http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/550931489_brvCH-M.jpg

[ilockert]

I just picked up my Manfrotto Super Clamps end up with 10 of them but hopefully the rest will be here soon so I can get out and give this a go.

[n1nj4 m0d3]

http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/550931592_yrPrr-M.jpg

this would be the most difficult image to edit due to the pole across the body. i would try to avoid that next time. cute driver, btw ;)

i use a mixture of the clone stamp and patch tool. seems to work well for me. when cloning, never go full strength. i usually keep it at 80%.

[n1nj4 m0d3]

I just picked up my Manfrotto Super Clamps end up with 10 of them but hopefully the rest will be here soon so I can get out and give this a go.
did you get them from ebay? i bought 10 from the seller locally last week and he still has about 100 of those clamps left :lol:. he's also selling the manfrotto autopoles. i bet those poles would make a nice rig pole :cool:

[ilockert]

Yea It was 10 for what i would of paid for 3 brand new. I didn't see his autopole auction maybe I need to go back and look.

[n1nj4 m0d3]

i don't think he has them up on ebay, but if you want one i can go pick it up and you can paypal me. he was selling them for $60....

[Marius B]

Hi

New in this thread. Just wanna share a picture from the track today.

Edit: Sorry wrong thread, how did that happen :)

[fatalimage]

here's pictures of my supra taken with my new rig, overcast day with dull skies.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/yankiedoodle/IMG_9256-2web.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/yankiedoodle/IMG_9262-2web.jpg

a static shot...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/yankiedoodle/IMG_9291-2web.jpg

[jhelms]

http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/550931592_yrPrr-M.jpg

this would be the most difficult image to edit due to the pole across the body. i would try to avoid that next time. cute driver, btw ;)

i use a mixture of the clone stamp and patch tool. seems to work well for me. when cloning, never go full strength. i usually keep it at 80%.



I agree 100% :) When I took some and had the camera hanging under the pole, you couldn't see her face, and I wanted her in a few of the shots b/c she is very cute, unfortunately I wasn't thinking everything through b/c when I raised the camera to get her in the shot, I got a cool pic but it's going to be way too much editing to get the pole out and have a finished product...

Thanks for the tip on the clone / patch tools...

[jhelms]

i don't think he has them up on ebay, but if you want one i can go pick it up and you can paypal me. he was selling them for $60....


Can you shoot me a link to the clamp auctions? Thanks!

[DonJuanMair]

N1nj4 get a magic arm, that will solve all your problems

[EMSbyDay]

Well, got my F1000's on order, have my superclamps in hand just gotta wait for the order to come in.


How heavy are the poles you guys are using, for say a solid 10ft pole? I bought what I thought was Aluminum EMT from Home depot, well its for sure EMT but I think it may be steel cause on a batroom scale the 10ft pole weighs like 20lbs. Its got great stability, but I'm worried about the weight either pulling off a cup, or bending a hood.

Gonna try to source out some better poles, maybe a collapsable system that can actually fit in my car.

[StreamlineGT]

Home Depot does not sell it.

This thread is getting out of hand. We need to delete some of the crap and leave the good info for these new guys to read. I hate repeating myself. I'm not saying I am the final word in rig building, but everyone seems to ask what pole to use, and who sells it. I've tried many of things, some mistakes more expensive than others, but all in all, spent a lot of money on R and D, and posted up all my scientific and real world findings. All the info is here. What to buy, where to buy it, what works, what doesn't. Take a few days and read it. Trust me, it is all here.

[EMSbyDay]

Yeah, I've read all 147 pages, but like you said there's so many differnt terms and suggestions, its touogh to sift through. This thread goes back some time and I'm sure people have changed their products around, was just hoping to get the current setups or opinions if my poll is too heavy.

[StreamlineGT]

Yeah, I've read all 147 pages, but like you said there's so many differnt terms and suggestions, its touogh to sift through. This thread goes back some time and I'm sure people have changed their products around, was just hoping to get the current setups or opinions if my poll is too heavy.

I run a piece of inch-an-a-half aluminum rigid metallic conduit. It's not the cheapest, but proven. You will need to go to the largest electrical supplier in your area and ask for it. It is not very common in places other than s*** plants, so even if you know someone that works on s*** plants, ask them to get it from the electrical contractor if they are using it.

I used 1.5" due to it being the largest the superclamp will hold, no other reason. Soem have tried 1.25", and found it too flexible, and went to 1.5" and were happy.

[DonJuanMair]

Yeah 20 pounds is crazy, the one that Streamline is suggesting weights 9 pounds and is really nice, i got that too after his recommendation

[EMSbyDay]

can anyone explain what a "s*** plant" is? is s*** blocked because it's slang for fecal matter meaning this stuff is used in sewage plants or something?

[StreamlineGT]

sure, lets call it fecal matter.

[jhelms]

I used 1.5" due to it being the largest the superclamp will hold, no other reason. Soem have tried 1.25", and found it too flexible, and went to 1.5" and were happy.


Yep, I am one of those that tried the 1.25 and went with the 1.5 at Brendan's suggestion.

Works great!

[romasas]

my foto:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2457/3586195505_85c47f4eb2.jpg?v=0

[bReed]

Is that a supra?

[romasas]

Is that a supra?

Nooo, superdruper tuning, MAZDA MX6 :) :)

[bReed]

The lights kind of resemble a supra, but nice picture!

[williamsr815]

This is about the definition of homemade, the only thing i bought was the suction cups on eBay for about 20 bucks...i originally used a 10 ft section of 2 in exhaust tubing which was very stable but was not nearly long enough. the local lowes and home depot didnt carry any lightweight poles like i wanted to so i grabbed this painters pole from my work. there is ALOT of flex in it but im thinking about making either a counter weight rig or a wire type suspension deal...not sure yet... anyways, the 'head' i made works surprisingly well but it is not exactly on the light side... Im open for advice anytime, thanks.




http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/BoostedPhotography/IMG_1829.jpg
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/BoostedPhotography/IMG_1830.jpg
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/BoostedPhotography/IMG_1831.jpg
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/BoostedPhotography/IMG_1832.jpg
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/BoostedPhotography/IMG_1833.jpg
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/BoostedPhotography/IMG_1834.jpg
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/BoostedPhotography/IMG_1835.jpg

[DonJuanMair]

wow that sure is a lot of bend, and thats it without the camera?

[williamsr815]

wow that sure is a lot of bend, and thats it without the camera?

haha yea sure is, thats all the way extended, almost 30 feet so its pretty much useless, im planning on using it about 1/4 extended, there is still bend but not nearly as much... im looking for a pole, searching the web, threads etc...hopefully my plans for a suspension setup will work but idk yet...

[DonJuanMair]

30ft is a bit long dont you think lol
whats your widest lens?

[williamsr815]

well the pole just happened to extend that long, i seriously doubt ill ever use it fully extended but for now im stuck with the kit lens (18-55 f 3.5- 5.6) im in the process of saving up for either a 17-40L or a 10-22...not sure which is best for it, any advice?

[DonJuanMair]

i would go for the 10-22, presuming you have a crop body for me the 17-40L although a great lens just isnt wide enough. I just used my friends sigma 10-20 and the 10mm was amazing. I was able to get some real nice shots

[Iank89]

i would go for the 10-22, presuming you have a crop body for me the 17-40L although a great lens just isnt wide enough. I just used my friends sigma 10-20 and the 10mm was amazing. I was able to get some real nice shots

Did you use the sigma 10-20 on your recent RX8/M3 shoots ? only reason I ask is because I just purchased the lens, and the quality of those images was incredible.

[DonJuanMair]

thanks lank and yeah i did, great results from that lens, i was really impressed.

[williamsr815]

i would go for the 10-22, presuming you have a crop body for me the 17-40L although a great lens just isnt wide enough. I just used my friends sigma 10-20 and the 10mm was amazing. I was able to get some real nice shots

Thanks for the advice, im banking on some graduation money so i can upgrade hopefully.

Does anyone have any designs for a cable type support to prevent bounce? I have seen a few but none detailed. I would really like to keep the painters pole due to the convenience but i absolutely cannot stand how unstable it is, i might just wing it if i have some free time tomorrow, mock it up with some good ol fashion kite string :cool:

[Iank89]

thanks lank and yeah i did, great results from that lens, i was really impressed.

Wrd. Im exited. Im going to rigging up a friends T-Rex Next week. Im pretty sure the mounting of the rig is going to require a bit of trial and error, but it should be worth it in the end result ;)

[CH@Dbee]

i welded another foot onto my 10FT EMT pole....i was able to get alittle further away.....

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3557/3591646780_a3441613c4_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/3590838073_61241e15d4_o.jpg

[williamsr815]

Great shots dbee, i would consider looking for eyelids for your car, they completely transform the look of SRT-4's. How much editing did you have to do to get the sky so dramatic? The first one looks a tiny bit soft, were you pushing it or was it started?

O, by the way, what in the world does EMT stand for???

[DisrupTer911]

fantastic sky! great exposure on the car too

[williamsr815]

here are a few unedited shots with the rig using the exhaust tubing, the length limited me and also my widest lens was the 18-55 so that didnt help me much.


http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/BoostedPhotography/Rig%20Shots/IMG_1524.jpg
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/BoostedPhotography/Rig%20Shots/IMG_1536.jpg
http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss153/BoostedPhotography/Rig%20Shots/IMG_1537.jpg

[jhelms]

i welded another foot onto my 10FT EMT pole....i was able to get alittle further away.....







Great work, Chad!! So that was with 11 feet and with 10-20mm on?


Thanks for the advice, im banking on some graduation money so i can upgrade hopefully.

Does anyone have any designs for a cable type support to prevent bounce? I have seen a few but none detailed. I would really like to keep the painters pole due to the convenience but i absolutely cannot stand how unstable it is, i might just wing it if i have some free time tomorrow, mock it up with some good ol fashion kite string :cool:


Definitely get rid of the paint pole, I tried that for a while and gave up on it, AL RMC in 1.5" trade size is what to get.

An easy way to rig a cable support is to get a couple of cat leashes (no joke) from the pet store or Wal-Mart for $3-5 bucks or so. They have a sewn in loop handle and quick connect also.

Here's a pic of me using one of these to help with some flex last week:


http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/549013320_nBnK6-M.jpg





And finally... here's the cleanest pic I've been able to get so far after messing with my rig for a couple of weeks.

Any C&C greatly appreciated, thanks!


http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/553477184_cWXiC-M.jpg

[CH@Dbee]

Great shots dbee, i would consider looking for eyelids for your car, they completely transform the look of SRT-4's. How much editing did you have to do to get the sky so dramatic? The first one looks a tiny bit soft, were you pushing it or was it started?

O, by the way, what in the world does EMT stand for???
theres alot of time in those 2 shots LOL but it was worth it. it does look alittle soft to me too :cry:

the car was rolling down a hill without the engine running. not sure what it stands for, its in this thread somewhere though. i read this thread 3 times front to back about a month ago.
fantastic sky! great exposure on the car too
thank you!!!!
Great work, Chad!! So that was with 11 feet and with 10-20mm on?


And finally... here's the cleanest pic I've been able to get so far after messing with my rig for a couple of weeks.

Any C&C greatly appreciated, thanks!



yeah i had the 10 foot EMT pole and i went and got another section and welded another foot on there. shot #1 was at 10mm so i got a little more room, not much but some.


friendly CC would be the photos looks too warm and the front wheel looks turned too much, it makes the fenderwell gap look huge. damn wide angles lol

[jhelms]

friendly CC would be the photos looks too warm and the front wheel looks turned too much, it makes the fenderwell gap look huge. damn wide angles lol


Cool, I see what you mean. I'm still working on a non-turned shot editing the pole out, so I'll try to see how that one ends up.

One problem that I had was that the car tends to look orange on other screens, but it's regular Corvette ticket-me-red and I'm editing on a calibrated monitor.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[CH@Dbee]

Cool, I see what you mean. I'm still working on a non-turned shot editing the pole out, so I'll try to see how that one ends up.

One problem that I had was that the car tends to look orange on other screens, but it's regular Corvette ticket-me-red and I'm editing on a calibrated monitor.

Thanks for the suggestions!
damn. maybe i need to check my monitor :oops:

on yours do my shots look "off" color wise?


edit: the vette itself looks red as can be but i think the reason i said it looks alittle warm might be the ground. try dropping the saturation on the pavement just for ****s and giggles and see how it looks.

[jhelms]

damn. maybe i need to check my monitor :oops:

on yours do my shots look "off" color wise?


edit: the vette itself looks red as can be but i think the reason i said it looks alittle warm might be the ground. try dropping the saturation on the pavement just for ****s and giggles and see how it looks.


Yep, you got it, I color corrected for the Vette and the ground ended up warming up. I think the actual mix included a slight bump up in WB, and -10 red saturation, -60 red luminance, and +7 saturation (IIRC).

The first one that I did definitely gives the car an orange look here on my work monitor:


http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/549819751_sV6Hw-M.jpg



Back to back comparison of these two shots - the one on the left definitely looks more 'red' to me:

http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/553477184_cWXiC-S.jpghttp://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/549819751_sV6Hw-S.jpg

[CH@Dbee]

car looks red'er for sure on the left shot. i like the front wheel/tire/brake better on the right one. i like the rear 1/4 panel better on the left one and like the B pillar better on the right one. i like the pavement and background better on the right one also.

thats just being nit picky about stuff though :o

[jhelms]

car looks red'er for sure on the left shot. i like the front wheel/tire/brake better on the right one. i like the rear 1/4 panel better on the left one and like the B pillar better on the right one. i like the pavement and background better on the right one also.

thats just being nit picky about stuff though :o


That's good though! Better to be picky and whittle down to some awesome shots than be happy with mediocre.


Here are the others that I need to edit:


http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/550931489_brvCH-S.jpghttp://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/550932437_YbzX3-S.jpg



Mid-way through the shoot I decided I wanted to get a few with the driver's face in the shot. Instead of moving the pole mounts, I just quickly re-set the pistol grip mount. Bad idea, these are cool but would be near impossible to photoshop the pole out (at least for me):

http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/550931592_yrPrr-S.jpghttp://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/550933417_KFrSp-S.jpg
http://jhelms.smugmug.com/photos/550933394_8otA3-S.jpg


Those were shot at 10' out, 12mm (18mm my D200's 1.5x sensor), with shutter speeds from 2 seconds to 4 seconds.

Next time I'll probably go a little longer on the SS, maybe even through an ND Grad on the bottom to get the sky to have some color in it....

[iNfEk]

how fast are you driving... thanks again for trying to help me out jhelms. I'll let you know. I have training this week so it kinda sucks

[jhelms]

how fast are you driving... thanks again for trying to help me out jhelms. I'll let you know. I have training this week so it kinda sucks


I'm sure someone will reply for you to read the whole post to find out, I know it's long but it's bw!


Most of the time the cars are being pushed, and the pushers are either hiding on the other side or behind the car or photoshopped out.



Also, I wanted to pass along this link to a fellow photog that bought a batch of superclamps at a discount and is now selling a few of them if anyone needs some:

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=132375

[Sil3ntP8nd8]

Got all my stuff in! But i still dont know how to get the middle part of the magic arm tight enough to NOT move... :P

Also, im still trying to figure out how to use a cup and arm to attach it as a single suction car mount like you see on filmtools

[iNfEk]

believe me I did read the entire thing... the shots look as though they have to be driven since there are other cars or the locations they are taken at can't be safe to push it.

[DonJuanMair]

Got all my stuff in! But i still dont know how to get the middle part of the magic arm tight enough to NOT move... :P

Also, im still trying to figure out how to use a cup and arm to attach it as a single suction car mount like you see on filmtools

See the lever, ir should move one way and give just a little, the way it movies push it all the way up the exact opposite way. So say its pointing at 6 o clock move it until it gets to 12 o clock

[jhelms]

believe me I did read the entire thing... the shots look as though they have to be driven since there are other cars or the locations they are taken at can't be safe to push it.


That's one of the tricks of the shot, and one of the things that Brendan mentioned a couple of pages back when he posted one of his Mustang shots. Many of the locations that LOOK like they car is being driven, it's not.

The ones I posted of the red Z06, it's being pushed, there's just a side road in a commercial area that has a double yellow line on it; so there's no risk of being surprised by traffic.

I'm sure there are some out there where the car is being driven though.... I would imagine if the rig has any kind of length on it that the speeds are super slow though...

[iNfEk]

so the AL RMC that you use... could it be driven with? here is my first attempt with some pretty bouncy thin steel closet pole... the post processing was a bitch. I was driving and not pushing my car... the car is a beast and the AWD doesn't make it any easier to push even in neutral.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2477/3593709859_c521efa68f_b.jpg

Original

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/3597400780_a17c329031_b.jpg

[quickster]

a re edit.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3358/3591695904_04b4de5358_o.jpg

[jhelms]

so the AL RMC that you use... could it be driven with? here is my first attempt with some pretty bouncy thin steel closet pole... the post processing was a bitch. I was driving and not pushing my car... the car is a beast and the AWD doesn't make it any easier to push even in neutral.



Original




Yes, it could be driven with - you might still have some bounce but it would probably be about as firm as you're going to get with a one pole setup.

[CH@Dbee]

a re edit.


looks damn good, but you should have had the brake lights on :p

[quickster]

looks damn good, but you should have had the brake lights on :p


:lol::lol::lol:

[StE823]

did two shots of my friend's IS yesterday, probably the best one i have so far and I kinda like it...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3324/3599200231_15009ffc85_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3599199635_4c0fd5681f_o.jpg

[iNfEk]

wow.... the second one is amazing... I love colors in the sky and the feel of the image.. almost looks like an advertisement image

[CH@Dbee]

did two shots of my friend's IS yesterday, probably the best one i have so far and I kinda like it...




4 second exposure on that last one!!!! niiice bw!

[syntax error]

My rig is still flexing too much, I strengthened up the painters pole I'm using but I really need a thicker aluminum pole that I can pull apart for transport.

Anyway, this is the outcome so far... looking to improve on this though.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3607/3600339320_9c695a145f_o.jpg

[Welby]

Does anyone have an opinion on whether 17mm will be wide enough for a rig shot or will i need something wider?