Location Lighting Logistics

matty D

matty D

Suspended / Banned
Messages
557
Name
Matt
Edit My Images
No
Not really a question about lighting as such....

All of my photography is on location, and usually requires a bit of a walk across fields or through woods to get there. At the moment I carry gear in a backpack, a peli case in one hand and whatever I can fit under the other arm. This limits me as to what I can take out with me, as more often than not I am working alone, and can't justify the expense of an assistant.

I was wondering if there are any pull along carts that people use, that are capable of going across fields (i.e. decent wheels)?

And what options do I have for light stands on unlevel ground (i.e. on the side of a hill)? I was wondering if a cheap tripod can be used somehow, but don't know how to attach a lighting spigot to one, as all Im used to is arca style plates.

Was thinking about a C stand with adjustable third leg, but they are quite heavy. Might be possible if I can sort out a cart, but Im not going to carry one lol.

Thanks in advance
 
As a music festival goer, I use one of these to transport my kit when at Glastonbury. It's only covered me for two festivals, but that time it's been overloaded and gone over some very tough (hills, mud, stones, etc..) terrain and it's still going strong. You'd need to come up with a solution for fixing your kit onto it - I use Clingfilm but for you it'd be impractical. Perhaps bungee straps..

As you're likely to use it more than ones or twice a year, if you go down the trolley I'd recommend something a bit more heavy duty - like a standard sack truck
 
benc98 said:
As a music festival goer, I use one of these to transport my kit when at Glastonbury. It's only covered me for two festivals, but that time it's been overloaded and gone over some very tough (hills, mud, stones, etc..) terrain and it's still going strong. You'd need to come up with a solution for fixing your kit onto it - I use Clingfilm but for you it'd be impractical. Perhaps bungee straps..

As you're likely to use it more than ones or twice a year, if you go down the trolley I'd recommend something a bit more heavy duty - like a standard sack truck
Click to expand...

That looks ideal, and judging by the pictures it looks pretty sturdy and up to the job (y)
 
I just kindly allow people to assist me and carry the stuff.
Mind you, I have a 4 x 4 car so I'm nice to them and drive as close as I can :)
Don't even think about lugging a C stand around, just use an ordinary lighting stand and tie it down with cord and tent pegs.
 
Garry Edwards said:
I just kindly allow people to assist me and carry the stuff.
Mind you, I have a 4 x 4 car so I'm nice to them and drive as close as I can :)
Don't even think about lugging a C stand around, just use an ordinary lighting stand and tie it down with cord and tent pegs.
Click to expand...

Sometimes I can get the client to lend a hand but normally they have their hands full with a dog(s)!

Not sure how I can tie a light stand down on an incline? Flat ground isn't a problem, its on the side of hills I struggle
 
matty D said:
Sometimes I can get the client to lend a hand but normally they have their hands full with a dog(s)!

Not sure how I can tie a light stand down on an incline? Flat ground isn't a problem, its on the side of hills I struggle
Click to expand...
Tie a slip knot at the end of a piece of cord - the type used for small tents - and loop it over the spiggot. Drive tent pegs into the ground, the further from the stand the better of course, and secure tightly. It won't then matter how steep the incline is, it will be rock solid.
 
Have you thought about a MUA trolley? Sounds bizarre, but it could work. They have compartments that expand out when you open them.
The black ones don't look remotely like a MUA trolley.. unless you happen to bump into a MUA on your travels!

They range from £50-£120 depending on the size and compartments.

41zZA8II23L._SX400_.jpg
 
Dawn.Calinski said:
Have you thought about a MUA trolley? Sounds bizarre, but it could work. They have compartments that expand out when you open them.
The black ones don't look remotely like a MUA trolley.. unless you happen to bump into a MUA on your travels!

They range from £50-£120 depending on the size and compartments.

41zZA8II23L._SX400_.jpg
Click to expand...

I hadn't thought of that to be honest, although to be honest having compartments might not work so well with large items such as softbox' or light stands. I'll look into it though, thanks for the suggestion:)
 
On a US forum I saw a similar trolley to the one above with a light stand attached, I've been trying to design my own (in my head), but you seem to have a more urgent need.

@Garry Edwards, do you get light stands returned with damaged legs?
 
Phil V said:
On a US forum I saw a similar trolley to the one above with a light stand attached, I've been trying to design my own (in my head), but you seem to have a more urgent need.

@Garry Edwards, do you get light stands returned with damaged legs?
Click to expand...
Sorry, no.
 
Graham W said:
I've had a plan formulating in the back of my mind for a while now, to adapt a golfing trolley into something usable "in the field".
I'm taken with the large, wide, squishy wheels and the foldupability.
Click to expand...
I've looked at golf trolleys too. I think this is probably where I'll start.
 
Phil V said:
On a US forum I saw a similar trolley to the one above with a light stand attached, I've been trying to design my own (in my head), but you seem to have a more urgent need.

@Garry Edwards, do you get light stands returned with damaged legs?
Click to expand...

Maybe a Feisol 'Handcart'? http://www.globaltechcommerce.co.uk/feisoluk/33-pc-c2240-hand-cart.html There's also a slightly cheaper alli version.

More pics in use http://www.feisol.net/feisol-photographic-handcart-pca2240-carbon-p-55.html
 
Fishing / carp trolleys and barrows are worth a look at, they are generally built robustly by design as they carry lots of gear over rough ground.
 
Well I took a punt on the festival trolley mentioned in the second post. It's pretty well built, and can take my pelicase on the base, and rucksack on top, hooked over the frame.

All I have to do now is find a way of attaching my light stands and tripod to the back of it. Tried using bungees but they just end up dropping down, so I may end up welding a little shelf in place to have them stand on
 
matty D said:
Well I took a punt on the festival trolley mentioned in the second post. It's pretty well built, and can take my pelicase on the base, and rucksack on top, hooked over the frame.

All I have to do now is find a way of attaching my light stands and tripod to the back of it. Tried using bungees but they just end up dropping down, so I may end up welding a little shelf in place to have them stand on
Click to expand...

I'm glad you got one.
Can you tell me are the tyers proper rubber pneumatic jobies as described on the advert? On the picture they look a bit plasticy, like you would find on a kids tractor.
 
I can't even begin to imagine the faff of having to guy rope down a light stand every time you change around... great sometimes but not an ideal solution, and especially not for anything more than a couple of degrees off horizontal imo...

Search for light stands with 'lazy leg' as a feature. Depends on what you're putting on it, manfrotto even just released a nano stand (the 'nanopole' with an adjustable leg...

Alternatively, C stands are heavy, yeah, but if it's not much of a hike, you really can't beat them... just make sure they're well bagged.

I'm going to bed so not going to search about, but Lovegrove (who else...) sells one for %(%^&*^&%HOW MUCH?! http://www.lovegroveconsulting.com/lowel_grand_stand.aspx
 
Last edited:
Try a trip down to your local fishing tackle shop they will have plenty of folding off road type trolleys in the £30 - 50 range.
 
The links below got me thinking about golf trolley possibilities, although 3 or 4 wheel trolleys are a lot more than 2 wheel trolleys. They turn in charity shops now and again, but Sports direct have the Dunlop 2 wheel steel folding trolley in stock at 50% off, at £19-99p. It would need storage adding, guy ropes and superclamps, but I think might work well over rough ground for limited equipment, otherwise I would wait for a cheap 3 or 4 wheeler.

http://www.deliciouspresets.com/carrying-lighting-gear-effortless/

http://www.sportsdirect.com/dunlop-...gclid=CNamgqbXy8MCFSYYwwodcScAoA&gclsrc=aw.ds
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top