In the last year Quadcopters have really exploded and have become incredibly affordable. I really enjoy taking my quadcopters out any chance I get, but there are too many instances where it's just not possible to use for an "aerial-style" perspective. Even if they can finally set down some proper rules and regulations to the use of 'drones', there will still be many situations where it would be impossible, illegal, or irresponsible to fly.
GoPro on 10 ft Painter Pole - Hiking around Monterey Bay, CA grabbing Aerial Images
Prior to flying a camera, I've been experimenting with P.A.P. [example photo above] - Pole Aerial Photography (a.k.a Aerial Mast, Elevated Aerial, or Telescoping Mast Photography), and i've recently even shared an article about a sturdy 12 foot Budget Tripod I can use for video. For those of you who love adding "aerial-style" perspectives to your projects, then you really should take a look at this new 28 Foot tall Carbon Fiber MegaMast.
I'm sorry I didn't grab any still images as an example, but I plan on doing so this week. I have a couple of Real Estate projects that i've been dying to add aerial images to (and was unable to fly a noisy copter). When I get some of those images, i'll update this article, but for the time being you can see just how high this massive beast climbs to.
While the MegaMast can be positioned up to 28 Feet, you don't have to use it at full height. The MegaMast can still add unique camera angles at 10 feet or even at just 15 feet. The extension on the legs are a clever design to not only add more width to the base, but can also be individually adjusted for uneven ground (like when used on a sloping driveway).
The MegaMast weighs around 16lbs, and collapses to just 69" inches, so it's certainly manageable for one person to travel with and setup. For additional stability, the MegaMast will have an option for some type of guy-wire cabling, which is not available at the moment. To find our more about the MegaMast, check out the website at Seaport Digital (click here).
* Give your real estate photos a lofty advantage in the competitive housing market.
* Reach above the crowds at events like concerts and graduations.
* The MegaMast will give your camera an "aerial" perspective from 27.5" (8.4m) in the air without the need to fly expensive drones. The risers are made of sturdy carbon fiber tubes with large latches to make setup quick.
*A rigging system is available separately to keep the stand steady in windy conditions.
Features:
> Made of sturdy, light-weight carbon fiber tubes.
> 27.5' (8.4m) tall for "aerial-style" perspectives.
> Easy latches make setup quick.
> Supports up to Full-frame DSLRs.
MEGAMAST 28' CAMERA STAND
 Quick Tip: This Special Tripod Leveling Adapter Can save you hours and speed up your workflow. |
Si
Good day
Thank you for the video review of the Megamast. Can anyone comment on actual experience of putting a pro DSLR with long lens (up to 6lbs /2.5Kg) and camranger and how high they went.
Sophie Buchanan
hi , what type of camera is best suited for this pole ?? 🙂
SIMON
Hi, After your opinion.
Looking at buying a high pole, its between the
Studio Assets MegaMast Carbon Fiber Camera Stand (27.5') and the Manfrotto Super High Camera Stand - 24' (7.3m). The manfrotto can hold more weight and looks stronger but the knobs to clamp the sections down don't look as good as the MegaMast? Plus the manfrotto can hold more wait.
Eoin
Bob, what 4m stand is that in your previous post?
Tomasz
Hi Emm ! what is this electric skateboard in the movie 🙂 What is the model? Can you give link. I will be very grateful for info.
Emm
Post author@Arno - Their product specs say up to 6 lbs.
Arno
whats the max weight it can handle? would be a nice portable antenna mast 😀
Emm
Post author@GV - The Manfrotto is certainly cheaper, but it's also thinner, slightly heavier, and slightly longer when folded down. I don't know what the width of the Manfrotto is, but the Megamast has a 2"+ OD on the largest area of the mast.
GV
A bit of sticker shock with the price of the MegaMast... I found a 24' Manfrotto stand on B&H for $375:https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/325308-REG/Manfrotto_269HDBU_269HDBU_Super_High_Aluminum.html
For 4' shorter and $225 cheaper, seems like the Manfrotto may be a good alternative.
Emm
Post author@Valentin - I showed a 12 foot tripod and I managed to place a motorized pan tilt head on that one. httpss://cheesycam.com/12-foot-super-tall-tripod-on-a-budget/
If you use this MegaMast, I would just not extend it very far up. Maybe not using the last 2-3 extensions. So maybe around 15ft would be good. Of course if they can come up withe guy-wire support, then I could say it would be much more stable for video.
Valentin
Do you think that it could handle a remote controlled pan and tilt head?
Combined with a WIFI Video Transmitter, you would be able to see what you are shooting.
Any idea of the size of the tallest tripod available?
I have a 3m tall tripod, but that dwarfs it.
Emm
Post author@Bob - Thanks, great idea for a pan tilt head on a mast. Maybe I should get one too, I found one on Amazon (here)
.
Bob
If you mount you GoPro in a Galileo Motrr atop the mast, you would then be able to control the pan and tilt. I use my iPhone to control the GoPro and my iPad to control the Motrr this way on my 4m stand. This adds tremendous functionality a stand mounted remote camera.
Emm
Post author@deceres - It would look overkill, it would be heavy, and it would be a pain to travel with for such a small camera, but i'm pretty sure you can get it to work great.
The GH4 has amazing quality, but I mainly shoot with it because I want to travel with smaller and lighter tools. I want the same for my tripods, audio, lighting, sliders, and stabilizers. The Ronin is an awesome machine, but honestly I would pay the same price if I could find the smallest possible tool because it would be easier for me to pack, carry, travel, and use for long takes. With the Ronin, you may find yourself looking for some type of support vest after holding up for a few minutes.
Bob Peak
The Sony Rx100iii with anti shake turned on would work nicely. You give up a little of the wide, but you get smoother video. Plus, you can start and stop video, or shoot stills from your phone.
deceres
So Emm do you think that mounting a Ronin with a GH4 should not be a good idea?
itsjohnny
Who makes the electric long boards?
Emm
Post author@Southerndude - It's possible to control a gimbal from an RC remote, but I would limit the weight on the MegaMast to just smaller cameras and smaller gimbals.
Southerndude
Emm: What about rigging up some kind of adapter at the top to hang a 3 axis gimbal stabilizer and control it with a wireless joystick remote?
Emm
Post author@OldCorpse - There was a quite a breeze during my setup, and the wide angle of the GoPro masked the movement pretty well when it was up that high in video mode. I agree that it's best for photography, and hopefully the guy-wire option will make it much more stable for video use with small cameras (maybe RX100). I will be doing more with this thing, it's pretty fun.
OldCorpse
I have the Avenger A3056CS 18.3' Overhead Steel Stand 56 with Leveling Leg here:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3551-REG/Avenger_A3056CS_A3056CS_High_Overhead_Wide.html
It works along similar principles, has a similar leg spread and you can drop the column for greater stability - though obviously the MegaMast is taller by 10'.
Here is my feedback: good only for photography, on a cam that you can control remotely. If you want to use it for video work, look elsewhere. The fundamental problem is sway. You won't get rid of it, unless you use some kind of cabling as suggested as a future option - I haven't tried so I can't say. All I can say that at best for video, you can maybe use it with a near-fisheye-wide lens, but if you want to have a lens on of a length that doesn't include distortion, the platform is just too unstable, in my experience.
Maybe the MegaMast is more stable, but I doubt it.