Clamps For Positioning Macro Subjects

[Lancashire Lad]

I was recently asked by a WAB member for tips on macro photography of wild flowers etc., and said that I would upload details of the home-made clamps which I use for holding and positioning various subjects.

The clamps cost a grand total of £1.50 for the pair, and weigh next to nothing.

I find them very useful for holding long flower stems to minimise wind nuisance, and they can be combined, as shown in the pics. to provide either vertical or horizontal clamping.

MATERIALS: -
2 x 1metre plastic coated hollow metal garden plant stakes.
2 x Soft grip plastic clothes pegs.
2 x 10's red plastic rawlplugs
2 x 50mm 10's Countersunk woodscrews
Plus a small amount of pvc insulation tape.

TOOLS REQUIRED: -
Electric Drill with 5mm jobbers drillbit.
Hacksaw with metal cutting blade.
Posidrive screwdriver.
(And - If you're very precise, a measuring tape to measure the desired length of stake)
I cut the stakes to about 45cm length, which I find is adequate for most requirements, and doesn't present any problems for carrying, either attached to the camera bag, or in the tripod bag.

Construction is pretty obvious, and details are shown on the first photo.

The only modification required after some time in use was to tightly bind the peg/stake junction with insulation tape. This prevents the peg from twisting, and the screw from loosening over time.



A couple of images which made use of these clamps: -



I'm sure other people will have their own, and possibly better ideas, but these work for me.

Regards
Mike.

EDIT - Just an afterthought, but worth mentioning. I always use a short piece of plastic hosepipe to cover the sharp ends of the stakes when they aren't actually in use.

[ron1863]

An excellent tip Mike and well worth the effort

[Shirley Roulston]

Thanks for that, I'll try that, we have a lot of wind on the Lleyn Peninsula and I am a beginner with DSLR cameras. Looking at photos like yours is ten times better than watching t.v.
From Shirley

[Ed Tyler]

Thanks for the tip, been pondering myself about making some form of clamp thanks for the solution !!!!!

Ed

[PMG]

Thanks for that - its given me ideas! We already use a clear plastic home-made windscreen - a miniature see thro 'beach windbreak' type effort - culled esp for photographing orchids in Kent back in ? whenever it was - which also has the useful accident of throwing the background a bit more out of focus in the image cos of the clear plastic!

And btw welcome Shirley

Pauline

[Lancashire Lad]

PS: -

The garden plant stakes are very lightweight, and since they are completely encased in green plastic, it is difficult to determine (at the garden centre) whether they are the hollow metal ones, or whether they are in fact solid plastic.

The easy solution - take a small magnet with you, which only sticks to the metal ones!

Regards
Mike.

[nightshade]

A little more compact are alligator clips (electrical) attached to plastic coated curtain wire. Screw a small screw into the curtain wire, cut the head off, push into the cable grip on the alligator clip ,these are fairly stiff up to 300mm yet coil up for storage

[Geoff F]

Had a bit of a think and came up with an even lower tech alternative. The advantage with this system (apart from zero cost) is that the height is easily adjustable.



The clothes pegs are simply tied to a piece of garden cane with thin nylon twine then glued for extra strength. I filed a notch in the pegs and cane to stop them from sliding sideways.

Works with one or two uprights but obviously 2 canes are more stable in very windy weather; like today.

Might have a think about some sort of really strong alternative to carry around without any fear of breakage. Possibly construct a telescopic version for easy transit. Perhaps those thicker garden stakes, like Mike suggests, might work. Otherwise it may mean considering using stainless steel rod and tube and some sort of clips. Wonder if any of those marital aids catalogues have any suitable clips!

[KeenTeen17]

This is very interesting! I have massive problems when it comes to camera shake and windy day photography and this might greatly improve my orchid photos in the summer.

Is that a photo of Linaria repens , Geoff?

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

....Might have a think about some sort of really strong alternative to carry around without any fear of breakage. Possibly construct a telescopic version for easy transit.....

If it's of any interest, the overall diameter of my garden stakes is 8mm, and the internal "hole" is just under 6.5mm, so something like a thick knitting needle should easily slide down the middle.

It might actually be worth considering modifying something like a lightweight telescopic aluminium rod rest pole from an angling shop - as that would obviously have some means to adjust the length, which would also stop the inner section from swivelling around.

For the minute though, I'm sticking with my existing clamps, as I've got used to using them and can always position them one way or another to do the job needed.

But post your final solution - you might convert me yet

Regards
Mike.