Selfmade butterfly-frame + clamps

[Steffen Loeffler]

Being a small Filmcrew here in Germany, we opted in shooting run and gun style.
Becoming bigger and bigger we started using lights, while trying to stay as fast and flexible as we used to be.

After trying different butterfly and overhead frames we couldn't find one, fitting our agile shooting style.

That's why we build our own.

It's super easy to set up, lightweight, works with standard grid cloths.
Based on a Plug-in system, with the longest rod just being 1.22m long, on one hand it fits in every car and on the other can be build up into different frame sizes.

4x4 I 6x6 I 8x8


To not loose flexibility on set, we came up with clamps that you can completly get rid of, just by untiyng one screw.
Being not as heavy as others, it was super useable as a 6x6 frame handheld.

On the second shoot the grip crew started to get creative with the system, for example by using just one clamp and one rod to quickly hang some diffusion in front of the set up lights.

Being super happy with it, we're interested in what you think of it.

Greetings from Germany

Paul & Steffen

 

[Patrick Tresch]

I llike the idea of those clamps. Did you patent them?

 

[Bob Gundu]

For 4x4 and 6x6 frame the lightweight Chimera frames are very lightweight and fast to put up. The have one elastic through the whole frame keeping it tight. I prefer these to shooting indoor. Outdoor I prefer something beefier. But Steffen, those clamps are nice.

 

[M Harvey]

I use the 4x4 Chimera frame Bob references above. But agree that those clamps look really nice-- and perhaps are a little quicker and easier to connect to your support stands than the Chimera frame is. I'd be interested in trying them out for larger (6x6+) frames in particular.

How are the corners of the frames joined? Is that just traditional corner pipe pieces like the ones in a frame from Modern?

 

[Kubina Paul]

I use the 4x4 Chimera frame Bob references above. But agree that those clamps look really nice-- and perhaps are a little quicker and easier to connect to your support stands than the Chimera frame is. I'd be interested in trying them out for larger (6x6+) frames in particular.

How are the corners of the frames joined? Is that just traditional corner pipe pieces like the ones in a frame from Modern?

The Clamps work especially nice with the bigger sizes like 6x6 and 8x8.
On one hand they don't need to be attached exactly in the middle, wich can help to make up for different stand sizes for example and on the other hand, it's easy to adjust the angle on the fly.
We even added a rubber like material inside the clamp, so the frame doens't start to slip away instantly, when untying the screw to adjust it.

The corner pieces we also made ourselfes.

They just need to be plugged into the pipes you want to connect and can be removed to make transport easier.
The outside material is a kind of plastic so you don't need to worry about leaving marks when you hit something. Wich makes it usable indoors.
We added some holes with split pins to secure them, but the fit is just tight enough that we probably woudn't need them.

I llike the idea of those clamps. Did you patent them?

We are currently working on Version 2 with some adjustments and more functionality, so no there is no patent yet.

 

[M Harvey]

If speed is the primary concern, maybe next up you can invent a system to quick secure the fabric to the frame! (The elastic straps on the corners of fabrics for the Chimera 4x4 work pretty well. But maybe if you're concerned with wind outside, you'd want something more robust...)

 

[Patrick Tresch]

Wellcome to RU Paul,

Let us informed about your work. I'll be happy to buy you a butterfly when it's available.

Patrick

 

[Ron Steinberg]

M Harvey,

If you're looking for a quick lightweight system I'd suggest you look at the Lastolite Skylite Rapid products:
https://www.manfrotto.com/global/catalogsearch/result/?q=skylite

Manfrotto is also releasing their own version of the system that has some nice upgrades including traditional "ears" that can mount into standard grip heads (the Lastolite system needs their own modified Avenger grip head).

The tubes are made of aluminium so very lightweight but not as tough as steel of course.

I like this diy system, those clamps using Avenger handles look cool, would like to see the other side how they attach to stands..