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The View from the Top - part 3 of 1 2 3 4

Published 01/10/2008

At height, it doesn't like wind and even with the guy ropes and weights attached it does tend to sway - understandable of course but it's a bit of skill to hit the 'shoot' button at the right moment. Wind of course shouldn't stop you from using the mast, but it can be an issue. Even in quite breezy conditions, so long as the operator is sensible, and you have the guy ropes in place and the weights sorted, it really isn't going to goanywhere except sway!

On set up you have to make sure that the base is totally level (very nice quality magnetic spirit level included) - it makes sense that if the mast is off-vertical by even a couple of centimetres at the base, this is much magnified at height and there is no way of adjusting laterally to correct this when the system is extended.

The USB connection lead between the head and cable needs to be longer as it tend to be a little bit of a stretch using a D-SLR - not a problem with smaller bodied cameras and, of course with the Wi-Fi option when available, this will not be an issue.

All in all, this 12 metre photomast is an ideal compromise between the smaller very portable but very flimsy systems and the van-mounted highreaching systems you do see around and about. All the masts are built to a high standard and although it's not something I would use everyday it is certainly a piece of kit that would be a useful addition to the 'tool' chest' and yes I am able to be up and ready to shoot within 10 minutes just as Graham said! I just wish Calumet or the Pro Centre had them for hire.

A question that was posed as soon as the literature on elevated pole photography was assembled was whether the set-up could be used at weddings. Our gut feel was that it would only be practical at certain types of wedding and suitable venues. To get a practical assessment of the kit in operation, Tom Lee and his client couple Clare and Jonathan, kindly allowed us to gatecrash their wedding and try an actual job.

The venue was the magnificent Peckforton Castle in Cheshire. The castle grounds are encircled by high defence walls which form an interior space 60 to 70 yards across. This also contains a bar area and a chapel. It is actually possible for a photographer to climb up onto the parapet of the ramparts and shoot back down on the wedding party but the view of the far side includes the keep and this is obscured by a very large tree.

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1st Published 01/10/2008
last update 09/12/2022 14:59:47

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