Making a hide clamp from a tripod. Can it be done? (1 Viewer)

[mickledore]

I have a Manfrotto tripod, and am principally a photographer. I'm not looking to get some dedicated spotting scope equipment, because that all seems to have different fittings to those on my camera/tripod setup.

What I was wondering is...is there anyway of using the removable central column of my Manfrotto 190XPROB tripod with a clamp type thingy? I'd need a clamp that holds onto hide shelves, but that also clamps round the column. Problem is that the column is not round, but a semi hexagonal and semi round shape. Good for use in tripod, but difficult to marry up with anything else.

Is there anything out there that I can use?

 

[Mono]

Manfrotto make a clamp that does exactly what you want http://www.manfrotto.co.uk/column-clamp

Although you don't have to pay full price
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-349-Column-Clamp/dp/B000LY2ZGM

 

[mickledore]

Wow, that looks super. Many thanks.

 

[honeym]

Or there´s the much cheaper and excellent Opticron 42611 BC-2 Clamp
http://www.opticron.co.uk/Pages/bc_2_v42700.htm
for far less.
Martin

 

[Jon Turner]

I made one out of an old tripood a few years back. Free! I can't show you a pic as it is my house in Spain! I clamp it to the balcony rail so I can watch the raptors go over, and the beer is closer!

 

[jason stannage]

Check out the Velbon Hide Clamp HC-25/28 you can get these on E bay for £20 delivered

 

[BarryH]

The problem with using a hide clamp is they all depend on the strength of the shelf you fix them to. Very few hides have shelves that are strong enough to give good support to a camera with a long lens.

The best way to do it is to use a monopod with a clamp fixed to it. This way you have the clamp firmly fixed to the hide shelf and the leg of the monopod going down to the floor. It makes a really solid support.

I've made a few for friends. When I can remember where I bought the clamps that attach to the monopod from, I'll post a link to them.

 

[John In Ireland]

Hi BarryH

The problem with using a hide clamp is they all depend on the strength of the shelf you fix them to. Very few hides have shelves that are strong enough to give good support to a camera with a long lens.

The best way to do it is to use a monopod with a clamp fixed to it. This way you have the clamp firmly fixed to the hide shelf and the leg of the monopod going down to the floor. It makes a really solid support.

I've made a few for friends. When I can remember where I bought the clamps that attach to the monopod from, I'll post a link to them.

Have you remembered yet?