Help: Recommend camera arm/boom

I'm not sure I'm using the correct terminology -

I want to take pictures of large quilts laying flat on the ground. On the ground rather than hanging because it's difficult to get them to hang perfectly flat. My idea is to have the quilt laying flat on the ground, and somehow have the camera directly above it near 8' off the ground suspended from an arm or boom so it could be in the center and have the least amount of perspective distortion.

Most of the booms I've seen are for lighting so they wouldn't take the weight of a camera. Is there something out there that will do this? I already have triggers so once I can get the camera out there I can fire it.

The camera and lens I have combined will be about 3 lbs total.

I saw this:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …CS_Junior_Boom_​Stand.html

which looks like it may work, but I'm not sure because I'm completely unfamiliar with studio lighting equipment. Would this work and if so, is there a cheaper product that would also work?

You might want to take a look at this thread.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=988088

I know it talks about booming studio lights, but the concept is the same. If you have the triggers to remote fire the camera then I think you just need to mount the camera using it's tripod mount. Though I would consider getting a L-Plate to really secure the camera and get a good ball head to attach it to.

I read that thread, thanks. Not sure if I understand correctly. Most of these boom and stands are meant for lighting. What do I need to attach a camera to it? I see you mention a ball head and L plate...what are those and how are they used? Yes I'm new to this stuff.

Would something like this product work?
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …475B_Baby_Combi​_Boom.html

I can't tell if you can do the max height at the same time as the max extension. I seems like you take part of the vertical pieces and use them as your boom arm, so if you extend it outward it needs to be shorter? I want to have the camera raised 8' off the ground, and extended about 6-7' out. Not sure if this works.

8' high, 6'-7' extended? Not sure if a boom arm and stand is what you're really looking for. I'm sure others will chime in, but I think what you really need are ladders and a pole between and use a super clamp to secure your camera to the pole.

I just don't think there is a boom arm and stand that is going to meet your needs other than those giant Hollywood camera cranes. I could be wrong and it might be done. I'm just not sure how.

Sorry to turn out to be of little help.

Ok, if just a crossbar would work, could I get a product like this:

http://www.skaeser.com …BACKGROUND-SUPPORT/Detail

I kinda want the background for other stuff too so it's not a total waste. Then I just need a clamp for the camera to go across the bar? What is the name of a product that does that? You can see my biggest problem is I don't know the proper term to search for.

Where do you want to do these shots? If it was always in the same place, say your garage, you could just mount a L bracket to the ceiling to mount your camera to. A ball head would make it easier to get your camera level to the floor. So all you woudl need is a large L bracket from the hardware store, a 1/4" bolt to mount the ball head and a ball head. You would want to tether shoot so you can see what you are getting so a long USB cable would also be required.

This will be done in my living room. My garage is full of "stuff" and dogs so setting up a mini studio isn't viable. A ceiling bracket in the living room has been vetoed as well.

Right now the leading option is this double stand/crossbar setup:
http://www.skaeser.com …OP-SUPPORT-SYSTEM-/Detail

With this cheap clamp:
http://www.skaeser.com …BL-CLAMP-WITH-BALL/Detail

My only question is if the clamp can take the weight and still be stabilized.

bone11 wrote in post #12690690
With this cheap clamp:
http://www.skaeser.com …BL-CLAMP-WITH-BALL/Detail

Looks like a Chip Clip - used to re-close a bag of Doritos.

Use a Super Clamp.

Have to agree with clarence. That clamp will not hold your camera. At least I personally wouldn't trust it. Your idea of using a background set up to support your camera might work. I just can't say for sure since I've never done what you're trying to do.

Regardless, you should at least get a clamp like this.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Clamp_with_Sta​ndard.html

Super clamps are definitely the way to go.

How does the camera connect to the superclamp? Do you need to get a separate part to join them?

Ok. Let's go through the steps with some assumptions. Without knowing your exact camera, lens, and size of the subject (quilt) here are some suggestions.

Using the crossbar with the background stands might work. That set up should be able to hold your camera and lens. I would suggest getting the super clamp mentioned previously to secure the camera.

If I were doing this I would use a plate and ballhead to secure the camera and allow some flexibility to position the camera exactly the way I would need it.

At the very least you could use a ballhead w/o a plate to mount your camera to the super clamp.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …4_494_Mini_Ball​_Head.html

You can go high end with plates and ballheads, such as Really Right Stuff.
http://reallyrightstuf​f.com

A set up from them would cost anywhere between $400 - $600 depending on the plate needed for your camera body and the type of ballhead you choose.

Regardless, you would then screw the ballhead to the brass stud on the super clamp. Clamp the rig to the crossbar and finally attach your camera to the ballhead.

If that all seems a bit much you could directly attach the camera using the tripod screw mount to the brass stud on the super clamp.

Since I've never done a shoot like the one you described this is all speculation. If it were me I probably would just use a ladder and shoot the quilts and then adjust the perspective in post. Now if you have a lot of quilts to shoot fixing everything in post might be more time consuming than its worth.

Hope that helps.

Thanks, that's helpful. I have a 500d (T1i) and a superzoom 18-250. I may get a smaller or super wide angle, but not right now. My wife makes quilts and she is unable to get a good flat picture of the entire quilt. The largest size quilts are for twin size beds, so about 5-6 feet wide, and 8 feet long. Closeups and other poses seem to be no problem. My ceiling is only 8' high so a ladder wold create some significant keystoning to correct in post. What really distinguishes high traffic quilting and crafting sites is the quality of the images so I'd like to be able to get her something replicable and easy.

Here's how I see it playing out:

The two stands and cross bar $70 + shipping
Super clamp and standard stud $27 and shipping

Manfroto mini ball head and connect plate $70 + shipping


Total $170 + shipping.

Seems okay and if doesn't work perfectly I can re-purpose a lot of the stuff.

The background stand system is the questionable item. That seems like a decent price but some generic stand. Is there an alternative that similarly priced but from a more durable/reliable brand?

Edit - Actually shipping on that background stand system was $20 so i went with one from Adorama for free shipping. A bit more, but with the shipping it worked out to the same and seems a bit more sturdy. 7-10 days and we'll see how it works. Thanks for your help!

For studier stands you can look at C-stands, but more expensive. Remember the cross bar is meant to distribute the weight of the background roll, so careful when attaching the camera, even though it's significantly lighter than the capacity that the cross bar can hold. And speaking of attaching the camera. Not sure how thick that cross bar is going to be, but you could very well end up crimping the bar depending on how tight you need to secure the clamp to get the camera in the position you need.

Good luck.

Here is another option that is rated as heavy duty but the cost is a lot higher
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Backdrop_Suppor​t_Kit.html