Do-it-yourself copy stands for document cameras and digital photography.
Would you like to have a document camera in your classroom? Do you have a digital video camera or a digital still camera? You may already be half-way there! All you need is something to hold your camera and a way to plug it into your TV set or your video projector.
Why would you want to use a video camera as a document camera? Go to this web site www.lightsmithimager.com for detailed information about using digital video in your classroom. This very informative site details such use and why this might actually be a better solution. The equipment on the Lightsmith site is innovative and useful, however it may be a little expensive. What follows are some alternative designs which will help you to create your own “video platform” (copy stand) for less than $50 using off-the-shelf microphone stand equipment and some ingenuity.
In the “old days” a copy stand had to support a heavy camera. You may have seen one; a board with a pipe mounted vertically on one end, with an arm which slid up and down the pipe that held the camera perpendicular to the board. The small, lightweight cameras of today give you an opportunity for innovative use of common equipment. Note: None of the designs here will support an older VHS camcorder! For that you need a copy stand built to support heavy cameras.
If you would like to purchase a complete unit ready to use click here, or contact me at bkuest@comcast.net.
Sources for parts:
Parts for the various stands were purchased online or locally and are listed along with their source, part number and cost. Prices don’t include shipping which generally runs $5-10 per order. For budgeting add about 15% to the cost of each system.
Most parts are available at B&H Photo Video www.bhphotovideo.com
The Heil stand is found at Cheapham.com www.cheapham.com
Another source for mic stands, etc. is www.zZounds.com
The nut to mount the camera bracket to the adaptor is a 3/8”x16 “jam” nut from Home Depot.
The metal camera mounting bracket is 1/8”x 1” aluminum in 4’ strips from Home Depot.
