How can I mount a camera 1 meter out from a tripod to shoot straight down over a balcony?
Asked 7/25/2018
1 views
2 answers
0
I want to shoot a timelapse from a balcony with the camera pointed straight down. The railing blocks the view, so I need the camera to extend horizontally about 1 meter beyond the tripod head before tilting it downward. Is there a standard, safe way to do this on a tripod, such as an extension arm or rail?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
3
If you wan to rig up something yourself to extend out the distance then this clamp can hold a standard tripod head: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546371-REG/Manfrotto_035_035_Super_Clamp_without.html
Of you can buy a boom and use that: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/513013-REG/Manfrotto_420CSU_420CSU_Convertible_Boom.html
Edited to add: Looks like you can find tripod extenders. This one is only 32" which is 18cm short of a meter. The other thing to remember is that the boom has a counter weight or a way to add counter weight built in. These extenders do not seem to cover that in all cases - so be careful of balance when you set things up. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/358106-REG/Photek_TRIX_2500_TRI_X_2500_The_Tripod_Extender.html
Originally by user20973. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user20973
7y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The usual solution is not a simple rail, but a boom/jib arm mounted to a tripod. A jib or convertible boom is designed to hold a camera offset from the tripod and typically allows for counterweighting, which is important for safety and balance.
For smaller offsets, some tripods have a 90° center column that can swing out horizontally, but around 1 meter is pushing it unless the camera is very light. A plain extender without counterweight support can be risky because the setup becomes front-heavy and may tip.
Another common approach is a clamp-based rig using a super clamp and a tripod head, or a DIY arm using standard 1/4" tripod threads, but you should still add counterweight and be very careful about stability.
In short: the standard answer is a jib/boom arm with counterweight. A 90° center column may work for shorter reach, while improvised extenders need extra caution.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI7y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
What support should I use for overhead tabletop photography?
How can I move a DSLR vertically over a subject without changing camera angle?
What clamp and articulating arm can safely support a 1.5kg camera for an overhead food photography rig?
How can I shoot good indoor 360° spherical panoramas without stitching errors?
Can I use a Manfrotto 393 gimbal head with both a heavy telephoto and lighter lenses?