looking for ideas and suggestions on how to build a mounting poll. basically I need a mast and stand about 10 feet tall that is able to be taken apart easily and be able to be transported in my car so I can use it at different events. I tried a antenna mast tripod from radio shack but its too flimsy. any suggestions or ideas or if you could point me in the right direction I would be great appreciative.

-Dane

Dane,

This is not the elegant pole solution you were looking for, but you may consider using a large tripod. The Bogen Manfrotto #3058 tripod has 3-section legs and extends to a maximum height of over 10 feet and supports up to 44 pounds. I purchased one on eBay for under $200. You'll also need a tripod head like the Manfrotto 3047 ($35 on eBay). Here's link to the tripod and FinishLynx camera at a local high school meet.



Hope this helps. -- Justin

Hi Dane,

One solution that I have had success with is to use a heavy duty lighting stand from a manufacturer like Manfrotto. They are designed to hold the weight of a studio light, hence why not use it with a camera.

The type of stand that I have had success with is one with a geared winch to raise the camera. it ensures the stability of the camera, yet can be compacted for loading into a vehicle. A link to an example of one can be found here. From memory it wasn't difficult to add a tripod head onto it.

Regards,
George.

That manfrotto is the one we were buying recently.
Other clubs in our area are working with this since a while:



We paid about 400 EUR for this - and it's worth it. As a lighning support it is much cheaper than a photo tripod...

ciao

dirk

Worked with a guy that has the best idea yet. Bought a "Little Giant” A Frame aluminum ladder that extends to about 11ft. Drilled a hole through the top rung and put a bolt in that the camera mount screws on. Anchors it down with a ratchet strap in the middle for stability. Fold up nice and not real heavy. Camera does NOT move in the wind like base mounted stands.

Thanks for all the replies I know it has been a while. I have been busy with other stuff and with track season starting up for me again now I need to really look into this.

Dirk I think what you are using is exactly what I am looking for. Do you know what model number manfrotto you are using in that picture. and what kind of load capacity does it have? The ones I have looked at online seem to have a rather low load capacity of about 2-4 lbs when fully extended. my main concern is how sturdy it is fully extended with a camera attached. And also any idea how well it works in wind? where I do most of my timing we some times get some wind so that is another concern.

It's a Manfrotto Wind-Up 087NW.
They say, it's 370cm height - and could carry 30kg.

We did not have problems with wind yet.
There is a system of ropes to stabilise the system - but I have no experience with that.

ciao

dirk

Thanks for all the help ended up settling on the Manfrotto Avenger A105B it was $200 on amazon It has a max height of 13 feet and max load of 66lbs but from using it today I wouldn't put more than the camera on top at full extension. Its a little shaky with the camera attached at extension if you bumped the stand but even in the wind I had today it did fine and all my photos where spot on the line all day so I see no issues with it. Thanks again for all the help. here is a pic too looks alot like the one you have dirk only its not a wind up one.

An alternate suggestion. We have prototyped our stand this year based on telescoping sign post material used for highway/road signs. We use at 12ft height an have found it to be very stable even in wind, easy to setup/teardown and 'tip-over-proof'. Materials we purchased from http://store.eberliron.com/pro...ic_square_sign_posts Next year we plan to replace the wood 2x4 base with more signpost and the steel signpost base from the same company ($60). Check with your city's maintenance yard as they may have scrap signpost available. Note the pic below, the orange 'guy-wires' are pickup-truck tie-down straps from home depot ($13) and a Rubbermaid plastic mailbox for rain cover/and lens shade ($35)

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