I'm going to be upgrading my phone to the new iPhone 12 Max soon (coming from a 4 year old 7 Plus). Since I got my phone, there are have been lots of advancements/upgrades to phone cameras, so I'm looking to try and use the phone's cameras more seriously.
Because of that, I'm looking into getting a arca swiss compatible phone clamp, so I can put the phone on a tabletop tripod. Does anyone have experience with these? Ideally the clamp fits Max/Plus sized phones with a case and has the option of shooting vertically + horizontally (like a L bracket).
Doing a quick Amazon search, I see many cheap options available, but not sure how well built/sturdy they are. It looks like RRS does have a phone clamp that'd probably work, but it's very expensive.
I picked up a cheap ($20) aluminum Sunwayfoto jobbie from Amazon last week. It doesn't rotate, but is surprisingly sturdy and well-built and has an elegant, compact design. It has both a threaded hole and a built-in AS plate so I can mount it on any of my supports from a tiny Manfrotto Pixi tabletop tripod, 12' lightstands, superclamps, magic arms, to beefy RRS tripods. I currently have it plugged into a Wimberley Sidekick on an Acratech GP-S ballhead on a Platypod Pro, just for a laugh.
It looks like RRS does have a phone clamp that'd probably work, but it's very expensive.
decisions
price and bulk but it delivers all the angles at $120. after all you are clamping it on to a $1000 phone and possibly others later.
or
less product for less $
The best I've found is a metal clamp by Ulanzi. I've been using one for two years. It cost $16 CA on Amazon. It looks similar to some Kirk stuff in the link posted by EBH. The Ulzani probably costs a lot less.
Previously, I used a plastic holder from Neewer, and gaffers tape.
i love the backup option. i think what the op wants is an L type bracket setup but on the less costly side. all the others (including one i suggested seem to be landscape and the old tripod head 90 deg flip to portrait.
jcolwell wrote:
The best I've found is a metal clamp by Ulanzi. I've been using one for two years. It cost $16 CA on Amazon. It looks similar to some Kirk stuff in the link posted by EBH. The Ulzani probably costs a lot less.
Previously, I used a plastic holder from Neewer, and gaffers tape.
decisions
price and bulk but it delivers all the angles at $120. after all you are clamping it on to a $1000 phone and possibly others later.
or
less product for less $
Ah I misread the original RRS listing. I thought you had to get the whole setup with the pocket stand to get arca swiss compatibility + rotation, which brings total to $215. Just the L-Clamp version is indeed only $120 and a bit more reasonable (if still a bit more expensive than I'd like).
Agree that phones can be as expensive as many cameras nowadays....leaning towards the RRS L-Clamp currently. In theory, should last a long time, as long as phones don't getting bigger/wider. Looks like that clamp goes up to 87mm in width, while the 12 Pro Max 78.1mm (without a case).
My current 7 Plus is a similar 77.9mm width without a case and is around 81-82mm with a simple silicone case, so a decent amount of leeway in theory.
^ Oh so sorry, you are correct. Very busy morning and was was interrupted when measuring by a phone call and entered the wrong digit. Apologies to all - have edited the fix in.
that is the length of the plate itself. then it is stated to fit phones of between 55-85mm or 2.16"- 3.34" (which is still ia bit of a handful) right on the box
the arm assy flips up and then extends. watch the video at 13s in.
decisions
price and bulk but it delivers all the angles at $120. after all you are clamping it on to a $1000 phone and possibly others later.
or
less product for less $
FWIW, I have this one and it works really well. It will not lock up on an RRS lever clamp but is perfectly fine with a Arca Swiss screw clamp. Lots of 1/4-20 sockets for attachment points and a cold shoe on the top for a light or mic if you want.
