Macro Looking for a doodad thingy.....

Liney · 06-14-2019, 11:59 PM

...because i can't think of the correct term for it.

What I am trying to describe is a device for posing still life macro subjects on a table top environment. I've currently got a small device that was advertised as a workshop third hand, it is a small base with a vertical post upon which is a clamp. The clamp is attached to a ball joint that in turn has a rod onto which I can attach two spring loaded clips. The effect is that I can move one or both of these clips in multiple directions and orientations allowing me to pose whatever it is I am trying to get a macro image of.

The downside is that all the clamps that allow the movement are not easy to move in small increments, and turning the wrong clamp means the carefully selected composition drops out the bottom of the picture!

So for all you who take still life macro images, what can you recommend and more importantly, what is is called? My google magic draws a blank regardless of the search words I use.

Cheers

SpecialK · 06-15-2019, 12:11 AM

I was thinking "helping hands vise" - this version might be overkill.

GEYOTAR Helping Hands Third Hand Soldering Vise with 6 Flexible Arms Metal Base for Soldering, Assembly, Repair, Modeling, Hobby, Crafts, Jewelry Making - - amazon.com?tag=pentaxforums-20&

Liney · 06-15-2019, 02:01 AM

Originally posted by SpecialK

I was thinking "helping hands vise" - this version might be overkill.

GEYOTAR Helping Hands Third Hand Soldering Vise with 6 Flexible Arms Metal Base for Soldering, Assembly, Repair, Modeling, Hobby, Crafts, Jewelry Making - - amazon.com?tag=pentaxforums-20&

Thanks for that, the one I currently has is an older version. Could be a good solution

Cheers

**AlwaysAl** · 06-15-2019, 05:05 AM - **1 Like**

Thinking perhaps a "fly tying vise", lots of variations and often turn up in garage sales, etc.
Also, Jay P Morgan at the "Slanted Lens" and explores lots of creative techniques to hold/pose subjects to get that "shot".
Here's a link to a sample of suspending objects :

You Tube

His general site: The Slanted Lens - YouTube

steephill · 06-15-2019, 05:47 AM - **1 Like**

One name for these things is Plamp - short for Plant Clamp. A quick web search will probably throw up links to the Wimberley version.

CarlosU · 06-15-2019, 09:33 AM - **1 Like**

For table top macro work I use a base-flexible post-clamp device mounted on a mini lazy susan. Once the subject is positioned on the clamp I can rotate the set 360 degrees, so it is very easy to get the right position for the picture.

Not a Number · 06-15-2019, 10:09 AM

Try a precision clamp or a gooseneck:
GRS Precision Single Third Hand | Contenti
https://www.amazon.com/QuadHands-Base-Add-Gooseneck-Precision/dp/B01JP865B0?...ntaxforums-20&

Liney · 06-15-2019, 05:34 PM

And you now see how easy it is when you know the right word for it!

Many thanks for all the suggestions, I now have a number of leads to follow.

Andy

Wheatfield · 06-15-2019, 08:09 PM - **1 Like**

Depending on what I am photographing, I use Blu-Tack. It’s great for jewelry.

Liney · 06-24-2019, 03:16 AM

After a bit of digging on the internet I managed to take a trip to the local hardware store (Bunnings} and purchased a bag of sixteen spring clamps of various sizes and three packs of two big foam covered twist ties (850 mm long}. All for the less than $25.

All I need now is time to put them all together. Thanks for the input

**Kerrowdown** · 06-26-2019, 01:22 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Liney

Looking for a doodad thingy.....

Think I prefer your name... rather than the technical offerings given on this post.

35mmfilmfan · 06-26-2019, 04:51 AM - **1 Like**

Isn't it more of a thinjummygig than a doodad ?

Liney · 06-28-2019, 09:04 PM

Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan

Isn't it more of a thinjummygig than a doodad ?

No, definitely a doodad. It would only be a thingummyjig if it was metric rather than imperial and this was a Tuesday.

06-14-2019, 11:59 PM	#1
Liney Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 437	Looking for a doodad thingy..... ...because i can't think of the correct term for it. What I am trying to describe is a device for posing still life macro subjects on a table top environment. I've currently got a small device that was advertised as a workshop third hand, it is a small base with a vertical post upon which is a clamp. The clamp is attached to a ball joint that in turn has a rod onto which I can attach two spring loaded clips. The effect is that I can move one or both of these clips in multiple directions and orientations allowing me to pose whatever it is I am trying to get a macro image of. The downside is that all the clamps that allow the movement are not easy to move in small increments, and turning the wrong clamp means the carefully selected composition drops out the bottom of the picture! So for all you who take still life macro images, what can you recommend and more importantly, what is is called? My google magic draws a blank regardless of the search words I use. Cheers

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06-15-2019, 12:11 AM	#2
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 15,624	I was thinking "helping hands vise" - this version might be overkill. GEYOTAR Helping Hands Third Hand Soldering Vise with 6 Flexible Arms Metal Base for Soldering, Assembly, Repair, Modeling, Hobby, Crafts, Jewelry Making - - amazon.com?tag=pentaxforums-20&

06-15-2019, 02:01 AM	#3
Liney Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 437 Original Poster	Originally posted by SpecialK I was thinking "helping hands vise" - this version might be overkill. GEYOTAR Helping Hands Third Hand Soldering Vise with 6 Flexible Arms Metal Base for Soldering, Assembly, Repair, Modeling, Hobby, Crafts, Jewelry Making - - amazon.com?tag=pentaxforums-20& Thanks for that, the one I currently has is an older version. Could be a good solution Cheers

06-15-2019, 05:47 AM - 1 Like	#5
steephill Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 33	One name for these things is Plamp - short for Plant Clamp. A quick web search will probably throw up links to the Wimberley version.

06-15-2019, 09:33 AM - 1 Like	#6
CarlosU Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 52	For table top macro work I use a base-flexible post-clamp device mounted on a mini lazy susan. Once the subject is positioned on the clamp I can rotate the set 360 degrees, so it is very easy to get the right position for the picture.

06-15-2019, 10:09 AM	#7
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 6,010	Try a precision clamp or a gooseneck: GRS Precision Single Third Hand \| Contenti https://www.amazon.com/QuadHands-Base-Add-Gooseneck-Precision/dp/B01JP865B0?...ntaxforums-20&

06-15-2019, 05:34 PM	#8
Liney Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 437 Original Poster	And you now see how easy it is when you know the right word for it! Many thanks for all the suggestions, I now have a number of leads to follow. Andy

06-15-2019, 08:09 PM - 1 Like	#9
Wheatfield Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 11,252	Depending on what I am photographing, I use Blu-Tack. It’s great for jewelry.

06-24-2019, 03:16 AM	#10
Liney Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 437 Original Poster	After a bit of digging on the internet I managed to take a trip to the local hardware store (Bunnings} and purchased a bag of sixteen spring clamps of various sizes and three packs of two big foam covered twist ties (850 mm long}. All for the less than $25. All I need now is time to put them all together. Thanks for the input

06-26-2019, 01:22 AM - 1 Like	#11
Kerrowdown PEG Gallery Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Hielands o' Scootlund....... Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand................William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 40,136	Originally posted by Liney Looking for a doodad thingy..... Think I prefer your name... rather than the technical offerings given on this post.

06-26-2019, 04:51 AM - 1 Like	#12
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 720	Isn't it more of a thinjummygig than a doodad ?

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06-28-2019, 09:04 PM	#13
Liney Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 437 Original Poster	Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan Isn't it more of a thinjummygig than a doodad ? No, definitely a doodad. It would only be a thingummyjig if it was metric rather than imperial and this was a Tuesday.