Lowel Stands & Mounts De-Mystified

Clamps & Mounts

Sometimes a light just can't be positioned at the proper angle with a light stand. There may not be space for a stand, or the stand may show up in the image frame. This has become more of an issue since the wider 16:9 format has become common. It's more difficult to light from near the talent without the light stands showing up in the, now wider, image.	The problem is not a new one, and several devices have evolved to give us some options in placing a light where a stand doesn't work. Many of these are small enough to stuff into a light kit so they can be readily at hand. Since they can often be used in combinations, they are multi-task tools. There are many possibilities, we will show just a few here.
Quick Links: Scissor Mount / Grip Clamp / Tota Clamp / Lobo Clamp, Lobo Arm, Maxa-mount / Tota-mount / Space Clamp / Tota-tilter / Misc

Scissor Mount

Scissor Mount
This little clamp can solve small light placement problems when shooting in rooms with dropped ceilings. The clamp attaches to the ceiling tile frame, and the light mounts upside down on the 5/8" stud.

Loosening / Tightening
Turning the stud post counter-clockwise loosens the clamp. Place it against the rail of the dropped ceiling so the jaws of the clamp cover the rail, and then turn the stud post clockwise to tighten securely.

Installing on Dropped Ceiling
Attach Scissor Mount to sections of dropped rail that are directly supported the grid's thick wire. Remove tile, install Scissor Mount & replace. The ring near the top of the clamp is for attaching Safety Cable to secure the light.

Scissor Mount with Full or Half Pole
For high ceilings or a light that simply needs to be lower than ceiling height, a Half or Full Pole mounted to a Scissor Mount can solve the problem. Be sure the Scissor Mount stud is fully inside the Pole so that locking knob secures the 5/8' stud under the safety undercut.

Scissor Mount with Big-foot
The Scissor Mount can clamp into the center cutout of the Lowel Big-foot for further placement options. As separate pieces, the Big-foot an Scissor Mount will fit into the lid of most any case, making them valuable accessories.

Wall Mounted or as a Pedestal
Attach Big-foot to a wall with nails, screws, or Gaffer Tape (make sure the surface is clean & burnish tape securely with a quarter). Place Big-foot on bookshelf, floor, etc for accent lighting & highlights.

Cautions when using Scissor Mount:

Avoid hanging fixtures directly over people.
It is recommended to use a safety cable and to be sure to use the safety undercuts on all mount studs. (see Stands & Accessories for more information on safety undercut)

Use common sense in the amount of weight these rails will hold. Rails can be of varying thickness and held up with different gauges of wire.
Avoid placing lights near fire sprinklers.
Be sure the clip around the rail is completely closed onto the rail and firmly tightened for the most holding power.

The weight of the light should be centered under the clip as much as possible to avoid twisting or otherwise damaging the rail.
Having the ceiling panels in place adds stability.

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