Shooting from HDB corridor - overcoming parapet wall and railing

[chiangkxv]

I receive a few queries on how I took some photos from HDB corridor and I thought why not start a thread dedicating to this topic since this is quite a common question.

Taking landscapes/Cityscapes photos from HDB corridor is not as easy as it seemed. This is an area where it poses many challenges for our gears and this thread is intended for fellow photographers to share how you overcome these challenges.

I know many uses tripods with horizontal center column. This may be a viable option but I do find the reach kinda limited and may be quite unstable especially if your gears are heavy.

I hope fellow shooters will share your solutions to the above. I'll start with mine.

1. Manfrotto Super clamp

I believe this is also one of the widely adopted option.

Things you need:
i) Manfrotto Super Clamp
ii) Manfrotto 208 3/8-Inch Mounting Plate
iii) leveling base. This is optional but useful if you are attempting a panorama.
iv) Tripod head

https://flic.kr/p/xVG9iY



2. Double Manfrotto Super clamp, this option will give you more reach.
i) 2 x Manfrotto Super Clamp
ii) dual sided 1/4 inch bolt - http://www.ebay.com.sg/itm/261696409413?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
iii) Tripod center column with base plate
iv) Tripod Head

https://flic.kr/p/ydjrdg



Other options then i know:
Really Right Stuff Safari Clamp
Manfrotto Magic Arm
Table tripod if the parapet is wide enough.

 

[JacePhoto]

Nice sharing! Thanks!

 

[Elessar]

Thanks for the info!:thumbsup:

 

[catchlights]

I'm using option one,

not comfortable to use option two, I want my photos to be a killer, not my camera.

 

[chiangkxv]

Nice sharing! Thanks!

Thanks for the info!:thumbsup:

U are welcome. I am actually trying to fish for new ideas.

I'm using option one, not comfortable to use option two, I want my photos to be a killer, not my camera.

Of cos have to be really careful. I usually have a strap secured to the railing.

 

[catchlights]

U are welcome. I am actually trying to fish for new ideas.



Of cos have to be really careful. I usually have a strap secured to the railing.

that is common sense,
but even a filter can seriously injured someone, dropped from that kind of height.

 

[fatmax]

Good sharing matey...

 

[Struxure]

Have use the RRS safari clamp which is quite stable with D810 + 14 24mm

 

[chiangkxv]

<img src="http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=8993"/> Have use the RRS safari clamp which is quite stable with D810 + 14 24mm

Yeah. I heard the safari clamp is light and stable. But too bad, it's no longer available.

 

[Struxure]

This is good for single photo but not so stable for pano.

 

[lsouljah]

Anyone tried the takeaway clamp compared to manfrotto super clamp? Thank you.

 

[chiangkxv]

Anyone tried the takeaway clamp compared to manfrotto super clamp? Thank you.

The clamping area seems small and I doubt it will be suitable for bigger cameras.

 

[cagivaplanet]

I have the takeaway clamp. My camera is A7II + FE16-35mm combo. It is actually quite stable. But I am using sirui ball head instead of the original one.

 

[macaroni]

I'm using the manfrotto super clamp with the Matthews noga arm for situations where setting up a tripod is too difficult.

 

[mayhemics]

Yeah. I heard the safari clamp is light and stable. But too bad, it's no longer available.

it's back in stock, slight redesign i think. not sure if it opens wider than the super clamp though. i have the super clamp but sometimes the rail is just too fat... and the super clamp with the accessories is quite heavy.

 

[CamInit]

Just received my RRS Multi-clamp (redesign of the former Safari Clamp) together with the stud for mounting Sirui G20X ballhead. First impression pretty solid design. The mouth (after including the flat surface adapters) opens up to ~8cm wide. Will be testing out to see how well it goes with HDB railings.

 

[chiangkxv]

Just received my RRS Multi-clamp (redesign of the former Safari Clamp) together with the stud for mounting Sirui G20X ballhead. First impression pretty solid design. The mouth (after including the flat surface adapters) opens up to ~8cm wide. Will be testing out to see how well it goes with HDB railings.

Nice. Did u get the flat surface adapter too? That thing is really useful.

 

[G-man]

Just received my RRS Multi-clamp (redesign of the former Safari Clamp) together with the stud for mounting Sirui G20X ballhead. First impression pretty solid design. The mouth (after including the flat surface adapters) opens up to ~8cm wide. Will be testing out to see how well it goes with HDB railings.

Good choice. And I second the last reply on the flat surface adapters. I find that really useful.

Normally I bring a small towel with me to act as protection. That clamp has pretty good clamping force and I prefer not to risk having it mar any railings or worse, damage them.

 

[CamInit]

Yep, I did get the surface adapters.

Did some testing this evening- not on HDB railing but those green railings used along the roads. Despite the 8cm allowance, trying to clamp to a railing that fat is challenging. Spend almost an hour trying to figure the best way to clamp and so far, no easy way without an extension arm. I can see why the surface adapters are designed that way, tho. Maybe will do up a mini review or something if I am feeling not so lazy. ;p

 

[G-man]

Yep, I did get the surface adapters. Did some testing this evening- not on HDB railing but those green railings used along the roads. Despite the 8cm allowance, trying to clamp to a railing that fat is challenging. Spend almost an hour trying to figure the best way to clamp and so far, no easy way without an extension arm. I can see why the surface adapters are designed that way, tho. Maybe will do up a mini review or something if I am feeling not so lazy. ;p

Without the flat surface adapters, the clamp goes wider. Those green railings are generally wider. In the field it's annoying to remove the flat surface adapters though so keep a small pouch handy to store the 2 pieces in.