If you want to stop your C-stand wobbling when using it for overhead top down shots you need to attach another 40 inch arm to the vertical column of the stand and angle it so that the second arm reaches the first at a 45 degree angle. You then connect these two arms together with another grip head. Now you have a stable secure triangulated set up that will not wobble. I can't take credit for this idea but came across it on another RU-vid channel, shortly after running into this problem myself.
Studio stands are great and sometimes the secondhand ones are a steal in your local area. Because they are huge/heavy there's not a lot of takers. I've seen some for as low as $600. Great info as always, thanks!
I have used a c-stand before but it can bounce. The arm on my main one is a heavy duty one.. counter weighting it helps I do now have a BG bar spare for the alternative option. Thanks for the video Scott.
Informative as usual. Just a note on camera stands. If you are thinking of buying one, do NOT go for the cheap, off brand ones, they are exercises in frustration. If you are on a budget (aren't we all?) buy a used one. You will have to pick it up yourself but it is well worth the effort. The background pole idea seems good but with the caveat of slightly less flexibility in moving up and down quickly like a C-stand. I do hate the bounciness of C-stands though. I use a CamRanger to check comp and focus so I always let it settle before focusing.
i'm upgrading my tripods, both studio ones and for cameras, i really like the idea of your setup, but isn't it too short for the task? 2x c-stand with background pole seems to give more clearance for setting up the shot
