Camera Stand [?]

[Sawdust Maker]

morning all

This was left out on council cleanup day, picked up by someone who gave it to the local Mens' Shed and ended up in my shed

It is a very solid well made drill stand

I thought I could convert it to a camera stand so I can take overhead shots and macro photography amongst other things

as you can see the collet which holds the drill is bent out of shape

I'm thinking of cutting this off (or at least the circular part) and making a part to enable attachment of the trusty Canon

[Big Shed]

Very nice. would keep the collar and turn up a wooden (or ideally aluminium) plug to go in there after you get it back in to shape.

Then buy a nice ball and socket head and you have a very versatile camera stand.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ballhead-...item35dab67f37

[Sawdust Maker]

Hah, stop reading my mind
I was thinking of a ball and socket head, similar to the one on my monopod

edit just saw the ebay listing - that would do

[BobL]

Because the subjects can easily be moved into the fleld of view, a ball and socket mount is not necessary on a camera stand, and a fixed camera position is all that is required and also better for a number of reasons.

Depending on the weight of the camera being used, ball and socket mounts will need to be very strong to hold heavier cameras horizontal without drooping, especially if the eyepiece is continually accessed and the camera itself is handled to change settings etc. Even if the camera is lightweight and mount is strong, small vibrations will impact the image on such a mount.

It would be be much better to make up a simple rigid elbow type mount .

I do have a heavy duty Manfotto ball and socket (joystick style) mount that I use on a tripod.
It is rated to hold a camera and lens up to 5kg but find the vibe it transmits when used with a long lens to be mildly irritating so I only use it with short lenses.



What I also found was the fixed rear image displays on most cameras these days cannot be viewed easily while they are being used on such a stand. An easier way to use cameras on a stand is to use a remote compeer to drive the camera. This allows the camera to be untouched during the image taking process.

I went through all this when I made my own camera stand back in 2009.
see https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...ht=macro+stand

[I_wanna_Shed]

That's a great idea!

[wheelinround]

OR Ornamental cutting head stand I'd almost offer you $$ for that

[FenceFurniture]

That's a Wabeco Drill Stand (same as mine). I happen to have a spare 500mm column if that one is rusted out (I replaced it with the 1 metre column).

You could add a cross or travelling table for the ultimate subject positioner . Only about $350 or so. Then you could put on some ducted dust extraction for those pesky li'l bits that aggravate photographers no end.

You thought it looked familiar didn't you?

[Sawdust Maker]

I did think of yours when I was cleaning it up

and the column is in excellent condition, thanks anyway

[DSEL74]

Just wondering what sort of camera stand your trying to make? I'm thinking a copy stand.

[Sawdust Maker]

Just wondering what sort of camera stand your trying to make? I'm thinking a copy stand.

Copy stand would probably be a better description
I want to take some photos with the camera pointing straight down using a light tent etc and my tripod setup doesn't allow that, well it does but is cumbersome to set up and use.

Bob mentioned using a computer to control the camera - I do that a lot anyway as it reduces the chance of camera movement and is easier than bending over the tripod when I'm using the light tent

I was also thinking of some macro photography where the camera is moved fractionally forward for each shot and then the photos stitched together so more of the image is in focus.

[BobL]

I was also thinking of some macro photography where the camera is moved fractionally forward for each shot and then the photos stitched together so more of the image is in focus.

If that is the case then that's another reason to avoid the ball head and use an allow

Another thing that stand could be used for is to hold an angle grinder with a thin kerf cutting wheel on it. The downward lever action is already built into the stand.
There are a few Youtube videos of home made versions of this.

Although they don't have a lot of depth, thin kerf cutting wheels are a lot safer than regular cut off wheels.

[wheelinround]

Like those ideas Bob

Maybe with an additional attachment a nice HSS tool cutter sharpening jig also

[DSEL74]

In that case I agree with Bob to avoid a ball head.

In regards to the earlier mentioned use of large lens on monopods same with tripods it is preferable to attach visit the lens rather than the camera body.

[Sawdust Maker]

I did wonder what this was for