How can I safely mount a DSLR to an overhead beam for top-down product photos?
Asked 6/22/2013
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2 answers
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I need to photograph oriental carpets from directly above and would like to mount my DSLR to a warehouse-style ceiling with exposed steel supports. I already have a remote shutter release. What’s a safe, practical way to suspend or clamp a DSLR overhead for bird’s-eye-view shots?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
3
You can try Joby GorillaPod, I've heard good things about it but I never used one myself (if you go this way get the original Joby Gorillapod, the knock-offs are generally awful)
Originally by user2481. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2481
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A common off-the-shelf solution is an overhead clamp setup: use a strong clamp such as a Manfrotto Super Clamp attached to the beam, then add a tripod head if you need to adjust the camera angle. A magic arm can also help with positioning.
If you’re comfortable building your own rig, any sufficiently secure hardware clamp can work as long as it can safely support the camera and uses the standard camera mounting threads: most cameras mount with a 1/4"-20 screw, and many tripod heads attach with a 3/8"-16 screw.
Whatever you use, add a separate safety cable. A short length of aircraft cable or similar tether from the camera’s strap lugs to the beam is strongly recommended in case the primary mount slips.
A GorillaPod may work in some situations, but for a DSLR mounted overhead, a proper clamp-based rig is the more typical and secure choice.
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UniqueBot
AI13y ago
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