Originally posted by 672 thx texan!
the camera is on a Wimberly Gimbal version one.
the two angle poles stiffened the cross bar significantly
the cross pole was quite springy , esp in desert winds. perfect for 500th of a second (or greater) with IS on. I did one video reference with the 1DX2 hang and the rolling shutter was like jello in an earthquake......
the poles were aluminum 1 1/4" with steel sleeve connectors. each pole is six feet long.
if more rigidity was the objective I would have used one 30 foot length of steel pipe and a ten ton truck to bring it and more assistants , instead of one.. mobility was key.
the desert wind that day was around 11 MPH and the cross brace was fine, but we wrapped the set up well before the afternoon winds of 21MPH......
Thanks, good info Here's something to look into that I have used before:
Superstrut 1-5/8-in x 1-5/8-in Silver Electroplated Half Slot Channel Strut in the Struts department at Lowes.com
Will also be available at other places, of course. Find it in the electrical department with conduit. I *think* it's stiffer than other options. Not sure about all the lengths available at your local Lowe's or HD, but there are connectors I think. A specialty electrical or steel supplier could be a better bet. The holes can be handy.
Here's another thing that I found out from something unrelated to photography. If you take square stock steel and mill off a millimeter or so off of one side, it comes out with a bow from the milling. If you put the bow up, then load it the bar will wind up straight. It's a complicated story how I found that out....