Is there something else besides a tripod
that'll hold a camcorder?

I like to record me and my friend hitting
tennis balls, but the fence around the
court gets in the way. (the windscreens
on the fence don't help either)

I'm looking for something that can be
clamped to the fence pole (about 5"
in diameter) with an arm that'll hold
the camcorder. (an adjustable arm)

I can probably jerry-rig something, but
if a company makes something already,
for a decent price, I'd rather buy it then
go through the hassle of making it.

Anyone know of a tripod alternative?
(that'll hang from or clamp to a fence)



ALSO, I need to buy a head cleaner
for my MiniDV camcorder, & possibly
a new tape as well.

What should I expect to pay for it, &
what brands should I look for/avoid.
(the camcorder is a JVC)

I'm also looking for a lens cleaner.
Any advice is this regards would
be most welcome. (lens paper or
a lens pen perhaps?)

<allr1@webtv.net> wrote ...
You could get something like a "Mafer clamp" from
any of the places that sell grip equipment to the
Hollywood production crowd.

But I would be tempted to just rig up a big hook
that would hook over the fence (or through the
chain-link, etc.)

If I had a JVC camcorder, I'd stick to a JVC head
cleaner cassette. This looks about right...
http://www.amazon.com/JVC-MDV2MCL-Mi.../dp/B00016566G

Of course, you DO have a protective IR filter (etc.)
over the front glass of the real lens, so you don't
risk damaging it (from use, or from "cleaning").
Right?

I just breathe on the front glass (to fog it) and
use a couple pieces of Kleenex ripped in half
and rolled up (to make a very soft "brush").

allr1@webtv.net wrote:
a heavy duty ball mount head which will connect to one of their lighting
clamps by an adaptor which they also sell.
The finished assembly will hold a full size VHS camcorder in place on a
pedal cycle handlebar & expands up to fit a 2 inch tube. Or you could
use cable ties or bungee cords to fasten a monopod to the fencepost
using wooden spacer blocks.

--
Tciao for Now!

John.

rcrowley@xp7rt.net (Richard*Crowley) wrote:

" If I had a JVC camcorder, I'd stick to a JVC head cleaner cassette.
This looks about right...
http://www.amazon.com/JVC-MDV2MCL-Mi.../dp/B00016566G "

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The tape I bought for it is a JVC, so a
JVC head cleaner cassette is probably
a good idea too. (thanks for the link)

===================================




rcrowley@xp7rt.net (Richard*Crowley) wrote:

" Of course, you DO have a protective IR filter (etc.) over the front
glass of the real lens, so you don't risk damaging it (from use, or from
"cleaning"). Right? "

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

There's a clear glass lens in front of the
focusing lens, (as best as I can tell) but
I don't think it's a IR filter. (it's a budget
camcorder, front lens is fixed in place)

It does have a lens cover, but it comes
off at the slightest touch.

===================================




rcrowley@xp7rt.net (Richard*Crowley) wrote:

" I just breathe on the front glass (to fog it) and use a couple pieces
of Kleenex ripped in half and rolled up (to make a very soft "brush"). "

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I like the simplicity and lack of expense with
that idea. :-) (very wary of scratches though)

There's a smudge on the footage I've recorded recently. I'm hoping it's
on the front glass and not located on the inner focusing lens which
might have been left there by condensation.

johnwilliamson@btinternet.com (John*Williamson) wrote:

" I forget the part numbers, as someone stole my version, but Manfrotto
do a heavy duty ball mount head which will connect to one of their
lighting clamps by an adaptor which they also sell.

The finished assembly will hold a full size VHS camcorder in place on a
pedal cycle handlebar & expands up to fit a 2 inch tube. Or you could
use cable ties or bungee cords to fasten a monopod to the fencepost
using wooden spacer blocks. "

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The idea I had for jerry-rigging it would use something like some lamps
use. (usually
floor lamps)

Some have a flexible but rigid arm, while
others use 2 or 3 thin metal bars that have
adjustable elbow joints between them.

Then I'd use the tripod adaptor piece on the end of it.

I did bungee cord my tripod to the fence post, but it was outside the
fence, so I had to find an area (on the fence) that the windscreen
wasn't located. (A MAJOR P.I.A.)

<allr1@webtv.net> wrote ...
For purposes of protecting the actual front lens
element, it doesn't matter what kind of "filter" is
in front. IR filters are popular because they are
available in a variety of sizes (to fit your particular
lens) and they are cheap.

As long as your have SOMETHING at the front
to protect the actual front lens element. If you
have a "budget camcorder", does it at least have
a threaded portion on front of the lens where you
can fit a filter, etc?

A lens cover is good to have for protection when
you are not actually shooting.

If you have something cheap on the front of the
lens, scratching is not a big concern. If not, then
you should indeed be very very careful.