Getting High… with your Camera: Pole Technique

[speednut]

Between reading the recently posted article on "Get a New Perspective By Getting High… with your Camera (http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/get-a-new-perspective-by-getting-high/)" and a painting project requiring a trip to the painting section of the local Home Despair, I was reminded of a cool technique that I could use some DIY advice on. The hardware store has these long extendable poles that are 12-15 feet in length and have a broom or paint roller handle threaded nub at the end. Long ago I saw a photographer attach an DSLR or slave flashes (nikon creative lighting system) to the ends of these poles. Using wide angle glass prefocused and a small aperture yielded great "aerial" looking shots that couldn't be done on a ladder. Plus these poles collapse to ~6 feet in length which make them much easier to transport in ordinary cars.

Has anyone already been down this road before and can offer any tips and tricks on adapting a tripod (ball) head to one of these poles? Any DIY tips on building up something safe to do this?

Cheers!

[Nicole]

I haven't done this myself, but I'll throw in a few DIY tips that I can think of about this.

First, make sure that the pole that you're looking at can actually support the weight of your camera. How much would it suck if you got your camera 15 feet in the air and it dropped :eek: Yikes! So, make sure the pole is sturdy and can hold some other similar weight before putting your precious camera on it. A paint roller definitely doesn't weigh as much as a dSLR with a lens.

Second, you should be able to find screws the right diameter in the hardware section that you'll be able to use to make the mount for your camera. An article I read on making a string tripod (http://www.xs4all.nl/%7Ewiskerke/artikelen/string.html) suggests that a 1/4" bolt would be suitable for attaching to the camera. Now, how you want to attach that to the pole is anther story since it would depend on the pole, etc. Edit: D'oh, ok, I just read you want to attach a ball head to it. That I wouldn't know how to do securely. Sorry :p

It sounds like a good idea, but it also sounds like a very nervewracking one as well. You're a braver man / woman than me (sorry, don't know which you are :p). Just a few things to consider when / if you build yourself this sort of thing. Good luck, and if you do figure out how to build it, make sure to post back, and leave a link in the DIY Photography Gear Thread (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=550) :)

[jiminyClickit]

speednut,

First, points given for "local Home Despair." Added to my list of "Clever."

So, if you've been to the hardware section you know about the dual-purpose screw: 1/4 inch machine screw on one end and wood screw on the other, if you choose a wooden handle. This would also epoxy well in a PVC pole. Adding a cage (like on a worklight, removable) might prevent fatal injury to camera. Add lengths of foam pipe insulation to cage, and to handle for a sure grip.

I've used a monopod for simple "above the crowd" and "flying around the ceiling" videos. No cameras were harmed in the preceding trials.

[speednut]

So, if you've been to the hardware section you know about the dual-purpose screw: 1/4 inch machine screw on one end and wood screw on the other, if you choose a wooden handle. This would also epoxy well in a PVC pole. Adding a cage (like on a worklight, removable) might prevent fatal injury to camera. Add lengths of foam pipe insulation to cage, and to handle for a sure grip.

Thanks jiminyClickit. I haven't seen the "dual-purpose screw" before, does it have a hex nut cast in the middle so you can use a wrench to attach it? Most of the poles I examined were made out of fiberglass or aluminum and the treaded tip was either pot metal or plastic. I have some doubts about using epoxy to either of these materials. I'm starting to think of giving up on trying to make a coupler between a broom/brush handle threads and a 1/4" stud. Maybe just cut off the brush/broom handle threads and insert a metal rod that's been tapped for a 1/4" stud and is the same diameter as the inside part of the extension pole. Install the 1/4" stud into the metal rod with loctite red. Run a cross bolt through the extension pole and inner metal pipe to hold both together. Does this make any sense? Grunt-Grunt! :D

Your idea of a cage is a good reminder for a contingency plan if my jerry-rigging goes wrong. I'll probably try something simpler like a releasable wire (zip) tie strapping the camera's neck strap to the pole.

Please let me know if you have any other suggestions.