I have been searching through the threads. I really don't get it for some reason. I got an avenger A205SK. I dont get what I could attach to it though. What should I be putting in the darn grip head to allow a light head to attach to it?
You get a grip head and an arm, which is a metal rod that comes in various lengths. Attach the grip head to the stand, then insert the arm into the grip head. Some guys attach their light heads directly to the arm. Others attach a swivel pin to the arm and then attach the light to the swivel pin.
Basically the D200 knuckle goes on the stand first. You can use either the baby fitting or the pancake fitting on the knuckle to do this, but the baby fitting is the best and safest way. Like this:
Then you put the 520 grip arm through the appropriate pancake hole on the knuckle and tighten into position.
I generally do NOT use sand bags on the arm as shown above. This was just to show how the knuckle on the end of the arm could be used to trap a sand bag. I do however recommend orienting the arm through the D200 for "righty tighty", not "lefty loosey" though. Google or YouTube for demonstration.
Depending on your fixture, you might even want to use the arm knuckle to hang your light.
It does kind of answer it. I went into my studio and tested that out, putting my Profoto d4 on the end of the grip stand. It seems to me that the c stand can only support the weight if it is not extended very far horizontally.
I have a profoto d4 head with a profoto dish on their right now, and it seems like things could tip easily. People (Simon Gerzina in particular) has talked about using a 5 foot octabox on a grip arm and i can imagine that being feasible without tipping nearly constantly.
Justin Berman wrote:
It does kind of answer it. I went into my studio and tested that out, putting my Profoto d4 on the end of the grip stand. It seems to me that the c stand can only support the weight if it is not extended very far horizontally.
I have a profoto d4 head with a profoto dish on their right now, and it seems like things could tip easily. People (Simon Gerzina in particular) has talked about using a 5 foot octabox on a grip arm and i can imagine that being feasible without tipping nearly constantly.
Justin,
I hope you're not hanging a D4 off a grip arm?
I'd hate to see that D4 take a fall and there is just no need. As you can see, here's a 6' Octa on a grip arm without arm ballast.
Of course, "righty tighty" and sand bags (as in this case) are highly recommended when extending these kind of loads any distance.
On some of my rolling stands I have platforms for my packs and it does make it much easier to manuever, but I generally try to avoid using the pack as a sand bag unless I'm in the field and trying to keep the grip to a minimum.
As long as we're on the subject, here's some other tips when it comes to grip arms.
The chrome tip can be slick and difficult to lock down on to keep the light from twisting. Some folks will scruff it or flatten a spot as needed to secure it. Grip arm tips are not really intended for lights, but everybody I know uses this end for their lights. Caution is mandatory however, as there is no safety knurl. Grip arm should always be angled slightly up towards the light if you are using the tip.
In addition, a "drop down" pin can be very handy if you'd rather use the knuckle end of the arm. They're cheap and they can be used in a multitude of ways.
Also, if you find yourself using a grip arm much, you might just like the "swivel pin" version even better with pack heads.
2. Use a baby right angle pin attached to the end of the arm. This allows the lamp to hang beneath the arm (no danger of twisting) http://www.filmtools.com/mabaripicat4.html
Filmtools http://www.filmtools.com/ is a good source for all types of useful film stuff. Grip and lighting hardware, gaffer tape, dulling spray, gels and even Streaks 'N Tips
I have both Mathews and Arri (Avenger)flags, arms and grips. I mix grips from these two manufacturers but it is much more secure grip by sticking to one brand as they are different sizes and don't fit perfectly.
Your load is always pointing in the same direction as the rotation you tighten the knuckle. You put the sandbag on the highest leg of the C-stand.
