Rail system questions

[gary stepic]

My home studio obsession is getting out of control Now I am thinking a rail system could help me make the best use out of my small space. This is the space I have to work with -



I saw this rail system from B&H -

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/250246-REG/Delta_40630_Scissor_Light_Mover_System.html

That particular system would not work because I was thinking of putting the fixed rail along the wood beams and I only have 11', so I would need a smaller 10' fixed rail. The beams are 4' apart. I am now searching for places where I can buy 2 fixed 10' rails and two 10' sliding rails along with three scissor lifts. One sliding rail would run parallel to the bookcases and the other slider rail would be opposite the bookcase wall. I could use one light stand where my scrawny Christmas tree is and if I need a fill light I could use a scissor lift on the sliding rail opposite the bookcase wall. This would eliminate me having to move the couch, which would normally be in the way of a light stand on the other side of the door (the couch has two electric motors for reclining - so heavy and not easy to move, but doable). The sliding rail parallel to the bookcases would have two scissor lifts, for either hair lights or background lights. the sliding rails would move away or toward the bookcase wall and the same for the opposite wall. Scissor lifts might be overkill for using Godox strobes, but they would be way more convenient than space taking light stands.

There is 11' between the bookcase wall and opposite wall. I have about 9' of space for a background on the bookcase wall. I am going to buy two hooks to put on the ceiling beams for a background holding bar, eliminating the need for background stands. Clearly, I have to move the table and small chair out of the way. I can stand farther away from the subject by using the door which leads to my kitchen, so full length shots may be doable. The window, by the way, faces east and there is rarely direct sunlight coming in.

Other ideas would be to use a wall or ceiling mounting boom for a hair light as suggested by Ed. I am starting to like the rail idea if I can get individual components at a reasonable cost. I am not sure if the fixed rail not being parallel to the floor will be a problem. Crap, my studio budget is starting to explode!

Any suggestions on where to buy or put together a small rail system appreciated. Hope everyone has a great Christmas and thank you so much to all for the help you have been giving me - Gary

--
http://www.honoringcreation.com

 

[Ellis Vener]

Honestly, I don't think your room is a good match for a rail system: not enough height and rail systems need to be hung so they are level, which would limit the height to the lowest height of your slanted ceiling.

Instead of a rail system, you might consider attaching 1.25 to 1.5" diameter pipes to your ceiling or, if those beam s are structural and not just ornamental, to the beams. Then use MSE pipe clamps -https://www.msegrip.com/collections/clamps-grips-pliers/products/baby-grid-clamp - to hang your lights and backdrop from.

If you are not familiar with Matthews Studio Equipment, here's your opportunity to explore their offerings.

--
Ellis Vener
To see my work, please visit http://www.ellisvener.com
I am on Instagram @EllisVenerStudio
“If I have any advice to give, it is that a photographer should learn to work with the minimum amount of equipment. The more you are able to forget your equipment, the more time you have to concentrate on the subject and on the composition. The camera should become an extension of your eye, nothing more.”- Ernst Haas from the afterword to his monograph “The Creation” (1972

 

[gary stepic]

Thanks. I have been doing some internet searching and I am now leaning toward some simper solutions. I will check out the link. I can easily eliminate stands for the backdrop. Since my subjects would mainly be individuals having two small light stands for the backdrop lights would not be a problem. I think a 11' x 9' space can work ok, especially since I have that door where I can step a little further back. The couch is the biggest problem, keeping me from having enough space on the wall opposite the bookcase wall.

In a few days I will put the tree away, set up a background and a couple of stands, move the table and couch, and take another photo. I just received my 46" Photek softlighter umbrella so along with my window light, AD200 Pro and V860 ii I have enough to play around with. I agree with the advice to keep things simple while mastering a few setups and expanding from there.

Gary

 

[Ed Shapiro]

My home studio obsession is getting out of control Now I am thinking a rail system could help me make the best use out of my small space. This is the space I have to work with -



I saw this rail system from B&H -

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/250246-REG/Delta_40630_Scissor_Light_Mover_System.html

That particular system would not work because I was thinking of putting the fixed rail along the wood beams and I only have 11', so I would need a smaller 10' fixed rail. The beams are 4' apart. I am now searching for places where I can buy 2 fixed 10' rails and two 10' sliding rails along with three scissor lifts. One sliding rail would run parallel to the bookcases and the other slider rail would be opposite the bookcase wall. I could use one light stand where my scrawny Christmas tree is and if I need a fill light I could use a scissor lift on the sliding rail opposite the bookcase wall. This would eliminate me having to move the couch, which would normally be in the way of a light stand on the other side of the door (the couch has two electric motors for reclining - so heavy and not easy to move, but doable). The sliding rail parallel to the bookcases would have two scissor lifts, for either hair lights or background lights. the sliding rails would move away or toward the bookcase wall and the same for the opposite wall. Scissor lifts might be overkill for using Godox strobes, but they would be way more convenient than space taking light stands.

There is 11' between the bookcase wall and opposite wall. I have about 9' of space for a background on the bookcase wall. I am going to buy two hooks to put on the ceiling beams for a background holding bar, eliminating the need for background stands. Clearly, I have to move the table and small chair out of the way. I can stand farther away from the subject by using the door which leads to my kitchen, so full length shots may be doable. The window, by the way, faces east and there is rarely direct sunlight coming in.

Other ideas would be to use a wall or ceiling mounting boom for a hair light as suggested by Ed. I am starting to like the rail idea if I can get individual components at a reasonable cost. I am not sure if the fixed rail not being parallel to the floor will be a problem. Crap, my studio budget is starting to explode!

Any suggestions on where to buy or put together a small rail system appreciated. Hope everyone has a great Christmas and thank you so much to all for the help you have been giving me - Gary

The only curret manufacturer of photograhic lighting rail systems, that I know of, is Photogenic. Here is a link to their MASTERRAIL system. I am attaching their image of the system. I currently have all the components of that system but I have not as yet installed it in my current portrait camera room- there are issues with the integrity of the ceiling that will entail the services of a contractor to make a totally safe installation.

Master Rail – Photogenic Lighting

As Ellis suggested, this system may be too big and space-consuming for a small space. It may requr a higher ceiling.

As per the website, do check it out, and perhaps you can communicate with them for a scaled-down setup for a smaller area. They have longer and shorter rails. There also may be some components on the used market. A brand-new setup can be expensive, I have had mine since 1968 and it is still in fine operating condition.

A couple of Manfrotto wall-mounted boom arms may be less expensive and more practical in a smaller space. See this link:

Manfrotto 098B Wall Mounting Boom Arm, Black - 47.2-82.6" 098B (bhphotovideo.com)



Ed Shapiro- Commercial and Portrait Photographer. Ottawa, Ontario Canada

 

[Ellis Vener]

your space can work well. Do you know the portrait work of Anthony Armstrong-Jones (Lord Snowdon, he was once married to Queen Elizabeth II's sister, Margaret)? For a time his studio was an equally small converted greenhouse attached to the side of his London townhouse. He did a book, LORD SNOWDON SITTINGS 1979 - 1983, where all of the portraits were made in that tiny studio, including some of the official portraits of the British royal family.

I highly recommend the book.

--
Ellis Vener
To see my work, please visit http://www.ellisvener.com
I am on Instagram @EllisVenerStudio
“If I have any advice to give, it is that a photographer should learn to work with the minimum amount of equipment. The more you are able to forget your equipment, the more time you have to concentrate on the subject and on the composition. The camera should become an extension of your eye, nothing more.”- Ernst Haas from the afterword to his monograph “The Creation” (1972

 

[gary stepic]

Thank you. I have several other books I purchased years ago that helped a great deal. This is kind of like learning all over again.

I just took a few shots in the yard of my grandsons to try out AD200. I used an Impact adaptor that just did not seem to work well. I then tried to use the S2 adaptor with the umbrella and it does not seem the shaft will go through the hole on the adaptor. The specs of the S2 stated for 8mm shaft. The S2 did feel way sturdier.

I think I have a very nice outdoor area to work with. I will post some photos that were taken in a great hurry just to get a feel for walking around with the stand, light and umbrella. The X Pro really works great. Luckily, I have willing subjects to practice on that live on the other side of the driveway from my casita. For indoors I always have my mannequin head to practice on.

 

[Ellis Vener]

My Softlighter fits my S2 so much m not sure why you are having problems.

 

[gary stepic]

After watching a Strobepro Studio lighting video the shaft should fit all the way through, providing I go through the front. I bought a photek umbrella with the 8mm shaft because I thought I saw where the shaft hole for the S2 was 8mm. I have 2 S2 brackets and same problem with both.

After doing some internet searching, this is not a new problem. There was a Dpreview thread 6 months ago about this issue. This is a little aggravating. I am not sure if I can just get a smaller shaft for the umbrella I bought, since the shaft is removable, or if I have to exchange the umbrella for one with the 7mm shaft.

There was a fix where sshapiro removed the piece holding the umbrella, removed the metal clip, and simply used a binder clip to secure the umbrella.

--
http://www.honoringcreation.com