Manfrotto mounting system

[gnorts]

Manfrotto is an Italian company that makes a professional line of photo & video tripods, lighting stands, and accessories. I bought a bunch of Manfrotto bits when I wanted to mount a video camera on the stern rail of a sailboat. I sold the boat, and the mounting bits have been in storage, and I dug them out this weekend and found a couple of interesting ways to use what I have to mount a video camera on the ST.

I bought this stuff about 15 years ago, and they have some new items that I like more than what I've got. Like this item:

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2727?livid=2&idx=7

http://www.manfrotto.com/webdav/site/manfrotto/shared/_images/Lighting/product_images/zoom/1/143A.jpg

It fits into this clamp:

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2718?livid=53&idx=54

http://www.manfrotto.com/webdav/site/manfrotto/shared/_images/Lighting/product_images/zoom/0/035.jpg

I'm still playing around with mounting ideas, and I will attach pix as soon as I do a little more fooling around with the parts I have.

I will say that these are professional pieces, and as such are not inexpensive. I spent well over $100 way back then to get the parts I have. They are very high quality.

The product line is imported from Italy by Bogen. I bought my stuff from Glazer's, a pro photo shop in Seattle, but the line is probably available through pro photo vendors in most major markets.

I priced the "magic arm" on the web - $104

http://www.amazon.com/Bogen-Manfrotto-Variable-Friction-Platform/dp/B00009R6BW/ref=sr_1_97/103-1536979-0167842?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1176054945&sr=1-97

and the 035 clamp - $27

http://www.amazon.com/Bogen-Manfrotto-Super-Clamp-Standard/dp/B00009R6BK/ref=sr_1_23/103-1536979-0167842?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1176054726&sr=1-23

[gnorts]

I strung all the bits together and pulled the left tipover cover and did a setup on it and one on the left rear grabrail. The ancient Sony camcorder is in the pix only as a prop. I haven't used the camera in several years, and I discovered today that the focus is toast. It won't autofocus, and it won't manual focus either. Not worth fixing, I'm sure. When I got the camera out of its bag today, I found the original sales slip - $1200 in 1992 dollars!:o4:

The pix speak for themselves. It's sure clunky-looking, but it's rock solid.

[dr1954]

I agree they make some neat stuff. I use mine for mounting remote flashes and cameras. I never thought of mounting my still camera on the bike but it might br fun to try.

[wjbertrand]

Very cool stuff. Be careful in hard lefts though, it looks like the lower clamp handle might make contact if you banked over far enough!

[gnorts]

Yeah, they hang out a bit much for me too. I plan to replace the lower handle with a socket head bolt.

[sparkinator]

That looks like a nice set-up. Glad to see you found what you were looking for. I'm looking forward to seeing some of your videos.

[100MPG]

I just bought The 2915 super clamp, 2906 extension, and 482 swivel head, and paid $111! I would have saved 15 on the clamp and swivel alone, I could not find the extension arm...Argh.
But it is very sturdy! The clamp is made to hold 33 pounds, and my Sony W70 might weight...1/2lb? It should work.

I intend to mount it on the handle bar, lets hope that works. I know it will clamp on the rear hand holds, I tried a friends and it was very stable at high speed, thought not perfect, it was very clear. I will try to post some of that video.