Getting Creative With A Master Clamp — Are They The Ultimate Multipurpose Photographers Tool?

For about $35, you can purchase a Tether Tools Master Clamp (or a Manfrotto Super Clamp) a multi-purpose gear holder that can be attached to just about anything thanks to it’s incredibly versatile design. The aptly named Master Clamp is the perfect tool to call on when you’re in a bind (or not) and need to figure out a way to rig a difficult or complex  setup, as most photographers and videographers inevitably will. This Clamp, under different brands, has already made a name for itself as a must have item in a lot of professionals gear bags and with good reason–you can use them for a lot of different things.

“Often when you’re in the field or in the studio you have to come up with a pretty inventive way to attach something you need to work with to something else. Master Clamps are absolutely invaluable. I use them all the time. I use them on my cameras, I use them on AutoPoles, I use them on camera stands, they’re everywhere in the studio.”

Check out this video as Rob Grimm (quoted above) shows us some of his favorite ways to use a Master Clamp, take a look:

A Few Ways To Use Your Master Clamp

1. Use them in conjunction with an AutoPole and J-hook to quickly hang backdrops. Use two Master Clamps for extra stability.
2. Attach a studio light to the Master Clamp’s stud, attach it to a pole or C-stand and you have yourself an ultra adjustable light source.
3. Replace a tripod with by threading a ball head onto the Master Clamp’s stud and attach it to a pole.
4. Mount your Atomos Ninja onto the Master Clamp to give it a placeholder. Use a an articulating arm to make positioning for ultimate visibility really simple.
5. Mount an Aero Table or similar tray to a stand for a portable workstation for your laptop and backup drives.

As Grimm reiterated in the clip, a Master Clamp really is a versatile, must have tool. At a $35 price point (or less for similar clamps from different manufacturers), it’s hard not justify keeping a pair of these around.

What are some of the uses you’ve found for your Master Clamps? Share your Master Clamp hacks with us below in the comments.

[ Rob Grimm via No Film School ]