Painting On Floor - Mount For Camera?

Two_In

Two_In

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Due to studio size, I'm finding photographing my paintings flat on the floor easiest. Lighting also works better. My 30mm lens works well, except the legs of my tripod start to get into the frame, the farther I move the camera away from the floor (larger pictures). I can invert the tripod head, but then is too close to the subject. Any suggestions for a suitable mount? Maybe an adaption for my Manfrotto tripod?
 
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IMO you need to mount the camera on a structure without legs in the field of view.

There was a Manfrotto tripod where the centre column could be positioned at right angle to the legs so that it was horizontal with the ground......just can't recall the model. But for the varied sized paintings would you still 'see' the tripod legs?

Therefore I do wonder if a studio stand of some description would be best? If so this "arm" might be useful?
www.manfrotto.com

Single Arm 2 Section with Camera Bracket

A versatile Single Articulated Arm with telescopic features that make this product even more compact than before. Swivelling arm; each section is separately locked. Length: 23.6' Comes with removable 143BKT Camera Bracket 2 Section, 5/8' spigot Bottom attachment: 5/8 spigot with 1/4' thread...
www.manfrotto.com www.manfrotto.com
 
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Box Brownie said:
IMO you need to mount the camera on a structure without legs in the field of view.

There was a Manfrotto tripod where the centre column could be positioned at right angle to the legs so that it was horizontal with the ground......just can't recall the model. But for the varied sized paintings would you still 'see' the tripod legs?

Therefore I do wonder if a studio stand of some description would be best? If so this "arm" might be useful?
www.manfrotto.com

Single Arm 2 Section with Camera Bracket

A versatile Single Articulated Arm with telescopic features that make this product even more compact than before. Swivelling arm; each section is separately locked. Length: 23.6' Comes with removable 143BKT Camera Bracket 2 Section, 5/8' spigot Bottom attachment: 5/8 spigot with 1/4' thread...
www.manfrotto.com www.manfrotto.com
Click to expand...
My manfrotto 190 does that,you can also invert the centre column so the object is between the legs ,it works with a ball head and a 410 geared head don,t know about others
 
I have an extension for tripods that creates a right angle from the mount point and allows you to mount away from the centre - Manfrotto 131DB is the model I think. A magic arm would be ideal if you have a solid mount point. I've got both as I thought they would be useful but I have never used either so if you are looking to buy give me a shout, If you can screw into a wall this might be perfect too. Designed for studio lights but easy to mount a ballhead on and change purpose.
 
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Typical tripod boom type columns are rather problematic IME; you can't really get very far off center w/ any height before you run into a lot of stability issues.

This is why I use a Benbo Classic 2 in the studio... you can do just about anything with that tripod; to include photographing straight down between the legs with two legs against a wall or on a table. WIth mine I can shoot from ~ 5ft height with ~ 6ft between the legs, so I could photograph a picture about 6ft long edge directly under the tripod. You should be able to get a used Classic 1 or 2 for around £100, or less with patience (the Classic 2 is the largest).

Watch this video to get an idea of the contortions they can do. At ~ 2min she sets it up for overhead use as I described, only at minimum height with a smaller model. BTW, it looks like she is using a Classic1, or maybe the original trekker model (same height) which might be suitable for your needs; IDT a trekker compact/mini will suit you though.

View: https://youtu.be/pPTm86fJNTc
 
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I don’t know what your ’studio‘ is but the obvious solution would be to mount a column on the ceiling or rafter, sort of copy stand upside down.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I quite like the idea of mounting the camera to the ceiling. I got up on the ladders to look, and if I can have some room to see the view finder, I can see it working. wookie6262 suggested this Interfit Wall Mounting Boom Arm. Would it work in this case? I'm not sure how my camera would actually attach to it? Anything else similar or better?
Screenshot 2021-08-26 at 09.23.48.png
 
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Two_In said:
Thanks for all the suggestions. I quite like the idea of mounting the camera to the ceiling. I got up on the ladders to look, and if I can have some room to see the view finder, I can see it working. wookie6262 suggested this Interfit Wall Mounting Boom Arm. Would it work in this case? I'm not sure how my camera would actually attach to it? Anything else similar or better?

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Click to expand...
If the ceiling is doable I imagine there must be some sort of ‘quick locking’ device that would make it easily demountable. Maybe there are lighting (stage etc) fittings that would do.
 
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There are quite a lot of YouTube videos with this sort of thing when you Google something like ceiling camera mount etc.

Even on Amazon, though this is “unavailable”:

Ivos Aluminum Indoor Outdoor Wall Ceiling Mount Bracket for Mini Projector, CCTV CCD Camera With 9.3" Extension Pole: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy Ivos Aluminum Indoor Outdoor Wall Ceiling Mount Bracket for Mini Projector, CCTV CCD Camera With 9.3" Extension Pole at Amazon UK.
www.amazon.co.uk
 
Depending on how strong a ceiling there is in the studio (ideally, you'd want something screwed into sold beams) then a ceiling mount with magic arm to position the camera location, and a tethered cable to shoot direct into (say) lightroom would be an ideal setup.
 
sphexx said:
Reminds one of old big enlarger mounts … I think sometimes wall mounted on a track.
Click to expand...

we used to have somethign similar to this in one of the studios I used to frequent... Imagine that but with a 10x8 camera hung on the end of it...

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Two_In said:
Thanks for all the suggestions. I quite like the idea of mounting the camera to the ceiling. I got up on the ladders to look, and if I can have some room to see the view finder, I can see it working. wookie6262 suggested this Interfit Wall Mounting Boom Arm. Would it work in this case? I'm not sure how my camera would actually attach to it? Anything else similar or better?
Click to expand...
The spiggot on the end of that has a 1/4-20 thread. You would just need to screw a ballhead onto it (one with 1/4-20 socket or use a 3/8-16 adaptor). It's rated to 5kg so it should hold your kit fine, but I wouldn't expect it to be particularly stable.
 
sphexx said:
If the ceiling is doable I imagine there must be some sort of ‘quick locking’ device that would make it easily demountable. Maybe there are lighting (stage etc) fittings that would do.
Click to expand...
I have a clamp that will allow mounting a camera head to just about any pole/beam type setup you might come up with... but in the end it will wind up costing more than just getting a used Benbo.
 

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Thanks for all suggestions. I went for this projector mount and it works! Cost effective at £21. It extends to about 40cm, giving me room to get my head above the screen for sighting. Just need to try a painting.

Any suggestions for a quick release mechanism? One draw back is getting the camera screwed in place.

And what can I do for a shutter release system? Cable? Remote (body is Nikon D3200)?

$_57.JPG
 
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It's amazing what can be done when we think outside the box. That projector mount doesn't look all that stable, but with a wireless trigger so you don't wiggle the camera, it should work fine.

Charley
 
Two_In said:
Any suggestions for a quick release mechanism? One draw back is getting the camera screwed in place.
Click to expand...
Since that already has a 1/4-20 swivel head, any QR clamp would do... better to get one that is tapped for 1/4-20 like this one, but adapted down would also work.
 
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