Home Studio - Third Hand Lighting Pole

third_hand.jpgReader Mike Coutinho saw the post about the studio compression pole, and this triggered something in his mind.

Mike told me about the Third Hand system (via toolmonger) which provides a very similar functionality.

Same as with the DIY system, you can create a vertical pole from floor to ceiling and hang stuff on it (Flash, backdrop, diffuser panel).

The extra value of this solution is that it does not have to go vertical; the top pad can support various angles, so you can go diagonally wild. Another "feature" is that the Third Hand comes ready and there is not much DIY you need to assemble the pole.

The price is reasonable, though more expensive than the DIY solution that we had on this site (hardware store light stand, studio compression pole). Amazon will sell those for 69.99$ a pear pair.

Related links:
- toolmonger.com
- hardware store light stand
- studio compression pole
- Third Hand manufacturer site
- Third Hand system on Amazon Store

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Comments

3rd Hand

I use these! They are my backdrop holder.

cheaper knock offs

  • November 16, 2007
  • Slyder0244

from the toolmonger comments someone links to the cheaper knock off ones and i'm all about things being cheaper knock off or not here is the link http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=95746

Harbor Freight 3rd Hand supports

  • November 16, 2007
  • fujicaman

I have a pair of these and they work just fine. Granted,they only go to 114" instead of 12 feet-but how many homes have a 12 ft ceiling ?
For 1/3 the price,I can live with it....

Cheap Knockoffs

  • November 20, 2007
  • thenandagain

even with the smaller maximum height, who's to say you can't just place a box under them?

My attempt

Here is my setup. Just thought that I would share.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2013/2005506649_7b8b06e95e.jpg

Where to buy in germany?

Does anybody has an idea where I can buy these things in germany?

Thanks in advance,
JMC

strobist gear

  • December 4, 2007
  • udijw

Hi JMC,
Rui from lighting mods is a genious in getting DIY stuff in Europe. I'd pop aquestion there.
- udi

Third Hand UK

Has anybody found a supplier of these in the UK?

@Big Whiskey - nice setup but what do you use as the horizontal rail that you hang your roll or material off?

Third hand

  • December 19, 2009
  • Anonymous

I have used a similar idea for backdrop stands.  I used a 2x6 ripped in half and cut to length.  Then I used a quick grip clamp reversed to hold the poles compressed to the ceiling.  Add some kitchen towls to keep the ceiling from being scuffed.

UK supplier

Has anyone managed to source a UK supplier of this amazing mod?

 

John Godwin

 

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