Double clamp / shade

[Tim Curry]

Does anyone know where to get a simple arm with two clamp ends? I'm looking for a clamp setup to use for a lens shade. A friend mentioned that she uses this for a lens shade and it works well. It was described as a simple rod with a clamp at each end and can be moved and twisted to get the proper angle. She though it may have been a Calumet item 10 years ago, but I have not been able to find one on their web site. Thanks, tim

[tim atherton]

Tim

I'd suggest either hunting through the micros tools site possibly

http://www.micro-tools.com/

or getting hold opf the porters catalogue - they used to sell a flexible arm things with an alligator tyope clip at one end and either a fitment for hotshoe or a sort of bulldog type clip at the other. (their online ctalogue isn't very good - you need the one the size of the NY Times weekend edition...). http://www.porters.com/

like this kind of thing - they had several variations, some under the "grip-it" brand http://porterscamerastore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=13-0492&Category_Code=

Peopel like Kaiser or Hama also sell/sold them - most camera stores shloukd have thier gadjet/accesories catalogues

Ebony sells one too.... http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/ebony.htm#LabelMaccs

I think most of the others are somewhat cheaper?

[Gem Singer]

Tim,

I believe I once saw the item you are seeking in the Porter's Camera Store catalogue (porterscamera store.com). However, I'm not exactly certain what they called it.

I purchased a similar rod and clip to use on my recently acquired Ebony. The Ebony camera has a built-in mounting shoe on the top of the front standard. The Ebony rod has a shoe mount attachment on one end and a clip on the other end. This type of lens shade arrangement takes some getting used to, but it seems to work pretty good. I don't know if the Ebony lens shade holder can be adapted to fit on your camera.

[John Downie]

A couple of options:

http://porterscamerastore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=13-0492&Category_Code=C1B

http://www.multiclip.com/mc.html

[John Downie]

One more...

http://www.multiclip.com/fprices.html

[John Cook]

This is a common item in the food/small product studio and also widely used in the cinema industry.

Bogen makes three versions. One is sort of a bendable, vinyl-covered gooseneck-lamp thingy. Next up the chain is an articulated arm with two friction joints which tighten separately with plastic wingnuts. The best is their Magic Arm which has two joints which tighten simultaneously with one lever. Look at B&H's site under "lighting,grip and mounting, arms". Here is the address for the second model I mentioned:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=5186&is=REG

The end are sold separately. You can get a "pipe clamp" which will go around a tripod leg, and a large flat clamp which will hold a gray-card or 8x10 filmholder dark slide.

Also look for the Matthews Grip Equipment website for similar stuff. As a still photographer trained in Hollywood, I learned early-on the value of cinematogtaphy equipment.

[paul owen]

The item is sold here in the Uk as a "Flarebuster". It was available in two types:with a clip each end or with a clip one end and a "cold shoe" fitting on the other. The Ebony is a much better option but will need a cold shoe on the front standard. Another option is a "wiggly worm" (honest!!) sold by Robert White, this is a plastic, but sturdy,multi-jointed arm that has clips on both ends.

[Peter Galea]

Got this one for FREE at my local golf pro shop. It is from a Titleist promotion for the NXT golf ball. Worth a try if you live near a golf course.

[Ernest Purdum]

Recently, some very inexpensive plastic spring clamps from China have come on the market. They come in three different sizes and gaudy colors. The are great for holding backdrops, reflectors and for many other purposes. Two of these plus a rod or tube could answer your needs well, I think. This would have the advantage that you could make it just the right length. If you want to get fancier, the tube could be the articulated type that machinists use to pipe coolant. They come in different diameters and are made up of plastic ball and socket fittings linked together. They are rather stiff to bend or twist and then hold position very well. Awhile back, somebody was selling them for use in macrophotography. You can find them at www.use-enco.com. They are quite inexpensive, about five bucks for a sixteen inch length, and you can buy end fittings for them that could be helpful, also.

[Jeff Moore]

Check out the Wimberly Plamp. They are very versatile; I have a couple and use them all the time. They can be found at www.naturephotographers.net, among other places.