"mini" pole camera modification

[Boomanbb]

Hello,

Please excuse the crappy cell phone pics. I have always wanted to experiment with pole cameras so while I wait to build a custom 30 footer I decided to put some parts together and make a much smaller one for indoors and small crowds.





I started with a 7' light stand I had previously liberated from its legs. Keeping the weight light, I mounted my EOS-M with a 22mm lens on the smallest ball head I had (Giottos 1004) with a quick release. With Tragic Lantern installed, I can trigger the EOS-M using a release through the microphone jack so I built a simple push button normally open switch on the end of a 1/8" sync cable.





Using a super clamp and various fittings, I rigged a 7" HDMI monitor at the base of the light stand. This particular monitor can be powered by a battery mounted the back. Then I just connected the camera to the monitor with an HDMI cable and extend it up.

I can easily get the camera up 12' just by extending my arms up. The whole thing is very light and very portable. I will be giving it a workout at the Caribfest Carnival in Norfolk next weekend. These next two scenes are in my front yard with the camera raised above my head and held at normal height for comparison.

















What do you think?

Ben

--
Disagree without being disagreeable

 

[axlastro]

That,s very clever. I love DIY stuff as it saves money. Can you give me a link or explain more about the microphone jack trigger trick?

 

[rrccad]

"With Tragic Lantern installed, I can trigger the EOS-M using a release through the microphone jack so I built a simple push button normally open switch on the end of a 1/8" sync cable."

really?? that works with ML?

 

[Boomanbb]

There is a thread somewhere but I can't find it that clued me in to the fact that with Tragic Lantern you can enable audio trigger of the shutter. If you plug an 1/8" plug with a normally open switch into the mic jack on the EOS-M you can then trigger the shutter with the push of a button. Does not work for Bulb though.

I have refined the monitor mount since my first post, better pictures soon.

Ben

 

[Stevequad]

I was in Lowes looking at painters poles and was thinking if doing something similar using d800e and camranger. Haven't got a mount for my ipad yet. I will get there eventually. Great job.

 

[M Charles Joseph]

A common solution for the iphone. You can trigger the shutter with the volume control on a pair of earbuds.

 

[COYQ]

Ingenious! I would be interested to see/hear how you get on with this in the wild!

I think the little Canon M is having something of a renascence lately, just as it's been discontinued (in the UK at least). I've only just bought one myself. It's a handy little camera for all sorts of applications.

 

[Boomanbb]

Well, I've finished all of the modifications to the pole mount. Pictures coming soon. Used a model car battery 7.2v 3000mah NIMH ($20.00) for the monitor power supply. Soldered pigtails onto the power plug so battery can be easily charged and then plugged into the monitor. Velcro secures the battery to the back of the monitor.

As crazy as it sounds, I went with a cheap doorbell switch for the remote trigger. I can press anywhere on the bar with my thumb to take a photo which makes balancing the pole much easier. This Saturday is the big trial and I am anticipating some great photos!

Ben

 

[TJ61]

That's awesome! I already have all the parts I need to do this, but the thought hadn't even crossed my mind. Looking forward to your next set of pics!

 

[Boomanbb]

I'm pretty jazzed with how the project has come out. I was especially happy to walk into a Radio Shack last week and find 10' mini hdmi to hdmi cables on clearance for $7.50. This cable is super flexible and lightweight, I bought the only two left in the store! I plan to make a 10-15' model next.

Here are some more test pictures from the pole camera. I am standing on the ground for all shots. I will be including detailed shots of the actual project tonight.

























Ben



--
Disagree without being disagreeable

 

[Boomanbb]

As promised, maybe these will inspire someone to take up the challenge.





The finished product with the sections shortened. The blue wire is hdmi, the black is a sync cord converted into an audio trigger cable.





Closeup of the doorbell switch I converted into a shutter release. Very handy because pressing anywhere on the white bar triggers a photo. Connected with Velcro to a right angle piece of metal lying around in my junk box.





Cheap rc car battery ($20.00) strapped to the back of a 7in hdmi monitor.





Here is the monitor mounted on the monopod tilt mount.





The angle metal is bolted to a super clamp which clamps onto the light stand.





Closeup of the ballhead and quick release mount.





You have to set up the camera before connecting the hdmi cable. Once the cable is connected, the touch screen is disabled. Notice that Audio RemoteShot is turned on, that is what enables all of the magic.





View of the EOS-M mounted on the head.





Fully extended, pointed back at the operator. Balance is a dream, sets up and breaks down in seconds.





Just because now, i can.

Ben

--
Disagree without being disagreeable

 

[67gtonr]

Very Cool!!!

 

[67gtonr]

Can you turn the video function on and off with this set up?

 

[Boomanbb]

Yes and no. Yes you can start the video recording but there is no recorded audio and no way to stop recording. Basically, this is for stills.

Ben

 

[Lawrencew]

Well done. Looks like a lot of effort you have put into that.

But, it would have been a whole lot simpler with an EOS M2. Pity Canon still haven't released this outside of Asia

 

[COYQ]

You should offer your services to local estate agents, the rig is excellent for house shots!

Really looking forward to seeing your next photos with this.

 

[tphotography]

There is a thread somewhere but I can't find it that clued me in to the fact that with Tragic Lantern you can enable audio trigger of the shutter. If you plug an 1/8" plug with a normally open switch into the mic jack on the EOS-M you can then trigger the shutter with the push of a button. Does not work for Bulb though.

Maybe my post over at Magic Lantern? You can trigger the shutter with almost anything, so long as it makes an electrical connection.

EOS M wired remote using ML ... chuffed as beans.

EOS M wired remote using ML ... chuffed as beans.

www.magiclantern.fm

What might also work in this situation is Zap Shot? http://www.zap-shot.com/

 

[67gtonr]

Yes and no. Yes you can start the video recording but there is no recorded audio and no way to stop recording. Basically, this is for stills.

Ben

 

[Boomanbb]

Thanks for making this all possible!

Ben

 

[tphotography]

Thanks for making this all possible!

Don't thank me, I simply plugged in a wired remote and it worked. The developers are the ones that deserve the praise. Without them we would have no way to remotely trip the shutter. And people like you who have ideas, make them reality and aren't afraid to show them off.