I think I just invented something-- Feedback apprecieated

[Mark1]

I shoot a lot for our church. A lot of the programs are in our "multi purpose" room. It has a suspended ceiling. There is usually no place to put a light stand that will not be in the way. And the last thing I want to do is shoot with the flash on the camera......

So I came up with the idea of a mount that will hold the flash from the suspended ceiling braces. Basically a flash mount for a light stand, but turned upside down and with some kind of hook to hold onto the brace so it can be adjustable in all directions and angels.

The idea is that you can mount the flashes to the ceiling and fire them wirelessly. You can move anywhere in the room and you know your stage will be lit fine.

Does anybody else think this might be a good idea or not?

I should have a prototype mid January to show.

[mike_d]

Sounds like a good idea. Delete this thread before someone sees it and beats you do the patent office

[joayne]

Sounds like a good idea. Delete this thread before someone sees it and beats you do the patent office


:lol::lol:

:rolleyes:

[FlyingPhotog]

Does it look anything like this Scissor Clamp (http://www.lighting-rentals.com/scissors.jpg)?

[tdodd]

I suspended my flashes from the braces of a suspended ceiling earlier this month. All it needed was a ball bungee with the ball shoved up above a tile and the flash snugly held by the bungee's elastic cord. If I'd needed to lower the flashes then I could have looped multiple bungees together. I don't have a picture of the setup but ball bungees are mentioned on the Strobist site as useful, and useful they are. I've got ten of them.

These are the sort of thing - http://www.tarpaulinsdirect.co.uk/TarpaulinsSite/product/BBB09.htm

Of course they can be used to lash a flash to all sorts of things - chair, heating pipe, light fitting, window latch, curtain cord, curtain track, cupboard handles etc. etc..

[krb]

So I came up with the idea of a mount that will hold the flash from the suspended ceiling braces. Basically a flash mount for a light stand, but turned upside down and with some kind of hook to hold onto the brace so it can be adjustable in all directions and angels.

Have you ever spent any time backstage? Ever seen the hardware used for a theater lighting setup?

[Natural Imagez]

superclamp? they cost about 25.00 and mount just about anywhere

[shaggymatt]

I saw something earlier this month as well that was a strong clamp (we used to use them in sailmaking to hold the sails while sewing). On that a post was welded and a flash bracket was attached to that. Was $50 though, which was outrageous for ~$10 in parts (at consumer cost).

[Heath]

When I worked events doing the lighting, we had something called airwall hangers. Most banquet rooms would have air walls to section off the larger spaces into smaller spaces, and we would use them to hang lighting.

There were some scary events when someone had the bright idea that it was ok to hand an entire truss of lighting.

Ah, to be young and stupid. I miss those days.

[111t]

superclamp? they cost about 25.00 and mount just about anywhere
That's what i thought.
Found this on the web...
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u43/111t/2590805685_7289b99143.jpg
You can mount extenders like those from low/background light stands right into it.

check this out...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/325440-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_143_143_Magic_Arm_Kit.h tml

[tkbslc]

Wow, and to think all this time I have been using trained monkeys to hang from the ceiling and hold my lighting! This will pay for itself in one shipment of bananas!

[ErikatSSI]

Does it look anything like this Scissor Clamp (http://www.lighting-rentals.com/scissors.jpg)?

Image of a Scissor clamp in use -> http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/2333389232_45ae5f72f6.jpg

[Todd Lambert]

Wow, and to think all this time I have been using trained monkeys to hang from the ceiling and hold my lighting! This will pay for itself in one shipment of bananas!

I just use levitation, myself... easier, and no monkeys to train, feed, etc... :p

Yuri Geller ain't got squat on me!

[sdsviet]

couldnt u just use gorillapods. that's what i think most people would do.

[111t]

That bogen kit is on the pricey side. Several companies make clamps like this. here's a cheap one
http://www.adorama.com/PAINT340.html?searchinfo=clamp
and a cheaper one:
http://www.adorama.com/LTPC.html
+
http://www.adorama.com/LTUSH.html

[m3n00b]

I just patented this :D TY

[JWright]

Wow, and to think all this time I have been using trained monkeys to hang from the ceiling and hold my lighting! This will pay for itself in one shipment of bananas!

I think my wife (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/member.php?u=161401) would have something to say about the trained monkeys... ;) :D

[Mark1]

Bungee cords are way to fumbly. While it may "work" it is far from what I am thinking.

Superclamps are way to overkill. I dont need a 5 pound clamp to hold a 15 ounce flash.

WOW thanks FlyingPhotog! The scissor clamps is very close to what I was thinking!!! I spent about 3 hours yesterday looking for something like them and didn't even get close. Do you have a brand/model number I can look for?

[FlyingPhotog]

Bungee cords are way to fumbly. While it may "work" it is far from what I am thinking.

Superclamps are way to overkill. I dont need a 5 pound clamp to hold a 15 ounce flash.

WOW thanks FlyingPhotog! The scissor clamps is very close to what I was thinking!!! I spent about 3 hours yesterday looking for something like them and didn't even get close. Do you have a brand/model number I can look for?

Lot's of styles and price points here (http://www.google.com/products?q=scissor+clamp&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7ADFA_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=YPw8S-GPHJGIsgPynrm6BA&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CCYQrQQwAg)

[ben_r_]

I have seen people do this with a Bogen Super Clamp before...

[tdodd]

Bungee cords are way to fumbly. While it may "work" it is far from what I am thinking.
Fair enough. Until today I'd never heard of scissor clamps. I already had the bungees in my bag. Sometimes a "MacGyver" solution is better than none.

[FlyingPhotog]

Fair enough. Until today I'd never heard of scissor clamps. I already had the bungees in my bag. Sometimes a "MacGyver" solution is better than none.

I'd be very, very hesitant to "MacGyver" a solution over people's heads.

Speedlites don't weigh a lot but from 10+ feet in the air, they'll still give someone a nasty headache if one were to come down.

[tkbslc]

I think my wife (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/member.php?u=161401) would have something to say about the trained monkeys... ;) :D

Oh, I am not taking advantage of them at all, don't worry. I even let them take smoke breaks every now and again and I give them a nice clothing allowance.

[Mark1]

Lot's of styles and price points here (http://www.google.com/products?q=scissor+clamp&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7ADFA_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=YPw8S-GPHJGIsgPynrm6BA&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CCYQrQQwAg)


Man I just ordered form B&H on Monday. I would have got them then If I know they existed! I went throught their lighting accessories and totally missed them!:evil:

[Mark1]

Until today I'd never heard of scissor clamps.

Me either. I got the idea and started looking at suspended ceiling hooks, and how they could be modified. Some hooks are rated to hold 30 pounds! I guess I got too inventive for my own good. But I did look for a long time for them but as I didn't know the name I got no real results.

[jonas-photography]

Sounds like a good idea. Delete this thread before someone sees it and beats you do the patent office

LoL :)

[Mark1]

Found the scissors the cheapest here at $9.... http://www.opticsplanet.net/bogen-manfrotto-drop-ceiling-scissor-clamp.html

[tgara]

I believe this has been done at sporting events. In any event, since you've already disclosed your invention to the world, it is now not patentable in most jurisdictions.

[Mark1]

I believe this has been done at sporting events. In any event, since you've already disclosed your invention to the world, it is now not patentable in most jurisdictions.

Not to mention already being made by multiple companies!

[Rey]

superclamp? they cost about 25.00 and mount just about anywhere

+1. Superclamp made for this purpose and many others.