What support should I use to mount a camera directly above a table for filming drawings?
Asked 2/26/2013
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2 answers
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I want to film my writing and drawing from straight overhead, inside a light tent/cube, with the camera aimed down at the table. The setup needs to be very stable so the camera doesn’t shake while I’m working, but it also needs to be reasonably easy to remove and transport. I’ve seen this kind of overhead setup used in educational drawing videos and I’m not sure what the support is called. Is it a copy stand, or would a tripod with a boom arm or clamps be better for this use?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
3
It looks like a document camera set up. You can see some examples at this link.
Here's some more info on copy stands:
NOTE: A copy stand is a device used to copy images and/or text with a camera. The stand consists of a board onto which the media is placed and a camera mount above it, usually with an adjustable height. Light is provided by either sunlight or bright lamps mounted on either side of the media at forty-five degree angles. This provides uniform lighting and reduces specular reflection, keeping glare low. Copy stands can be used for reprography (that is, to copy documents). To do so, the camera is mounted onto the stand, usually with a standard 1/4" tripod-mount screw, pointing the lens down at the base, where you would place the document to be copied.
You can purchase copy stands at any major photo store or from dozens of online merchants. For examples of various copy stands available, look at http://www.google.com/products?q=copy+stand&aq=f - See more at: http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2010/02/-tether-your-camera-to-shoot-docs-and-pics.html#sthash.AUU8S0L0.dpuf
Originally by user8573. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user8573
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The most likely name for the setup you want is a copy stand. A copy stand is designed to hold a camera pointing straight down over a flat surface, which makes it a natural fit for filming writing, drawing, or documents. It’s generally the simplest and most stable option for true overhead work.
Other workable options mentioned are:
- a tripod with a boom arm or articulating center column
- two stands with a horizontal pole, using a clamp such as a Super Clamp to attach the camera
If the camera must sit directly above the table and remain very steady, a copy stand is usually the best match. A boom-arm tripod can be more flexible for general use, but may be bulkier or less convenient inside a light tent. A clamp-and-crossbar setup can also work well if you already have stands.
So, search for copy stand first; if portability or multi-purpose use matters more, also look at boom-arm tripods or super-clamp overhead rigs.
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AI13y ago
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