WO2006079175A1

WO2006079175A1 - Camera boom

Info

Publication number: WO2006079175A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/000101
Authority: WO
Inventors: Glenn Stuart Wills
Original assignee: Glenn Stuart Wills
Priority date: 2005-01-27
Filing date: 2006-01-27
Publication date: 2006-08-03

Abstract

A camera support (10) for use by a single operator (2) comprises a boom (1), a camera mount (3) carried by the boom (1), a counter-balance (4), and at least one control for operating a camera mounted to the camera mount, wherein the camera support is supported by an operator by placing at least part of the camera support above the operator's shoulders and bearing the weight of the camera support on the operator's shoulders. The weight and location of the counterweight is selected such that the point of balance of the camera support is located at or near the position at which the operator supports the camera support.

Description

CAMERA BOOM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a camera support for use by a single operator.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

For many photographers and cinematographers there is a desire for different angles and perspectives from which to capture their subject. There are also times, when for safety reasons, that photographers and cinematographers cannot be as close to the action as they would desire. This is especially so for sporting events and wildlife photography or cinematography. There have been many systems developed to elevate and support cameras but many have been cumbersome or too large to be considered portable. Such devices are typically difficult to operate by the cameraman alone. Further, manoeuvring of such devices is also very difficult or impossible without help or outside

, equipment and this limits the access to desired areas for capturing the images.

Throughout this specification, the term "comprising" and its grammatical equivalents are to be taken to have an inclusive meaning, unless the context of the specification indicates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a camera support for use by a single operator comprising a boom, a camera mount carried by the boom, a counter-balance, and at least one control for operating a camera mounted to the camera mount, wherein the camera support is supported by an operator by placing at least part of the camera support above the operator's shoulders and bearing the weight of the camera support on the operator's shoulders.

The camera mount may be located at or near one end of the boom and the counter balance may be located at or near another end of the camera support.

In one embodiment, the camera support includes two arms that have portions that are laterally spaced from each other to thereby allow the operator to bear the weight of the camera support on the operator's shoulders. Suitably, the two arms have portions that are laterally spaced from each other such that an operator can place his head or neck in the space between the two arms.

The two arms may form part of a frame. Alternatively, one arm may form part of the boom and the other arm may extend from the boom.

The camera support may comprise shoulder supports for resting on the shoulders of the operator. Alternatively, the camera support may interact with shoulder supports placed on the operator's shoulders.

The boom will typically extend forwardly from the operator during use. The boom carries a camera mount at or near its forward end.

The camera mount suitably includes a mounting plate or mounting bar for receiving and mounting a camera. The camera may be a still photography camera, a video camera, a television camera, or indeed any sort of camera that is able to capture one or more images, whether they be still images or moving images. The camera may use photographic film or video film or it may be a digital camera.

The camera support may preferably be made from a number of smaller elements that are assembled together to form the support. For example, the boom may comprise a number of arms that are connected together to form the boom.

Alternatively, the camera support may be a telescopic support in which a number of short members are movable telescopically relative to each other to thereby enable the camera support to be adjusted from a retracted disposition to an extended disposition.

The camera support is provided with a counter weight. Typically, the counterweight is positioned behind the operator when the camera support is in use, with the camera mount being positioned in front of the operator. The counterweight is arranged such that the point of balance of the camera support is located at or near the position at which the operator supports the camera support, hi this way, the operator only has to support the weight of the support and the camera, rather than having to fight the lever effects caused by having a camera mounted at or near the end of the boom. This makes use of the camera support much less tiring. The counterweight is suitably carried on an arm. The arm may comprise an extension of the boom.

The counterweight may comprise a ballast container for holding ballast, such as - water or sand. Use of a ballast container is advantageous as the operator can easily adjust the weight of the ballast container (by adding or removing ballast, as required) to properly balance the camera support.

In another embodiment, the ballast may include one or more weights attachable to the arm. In this embodiment, variable weights may be attachable at a set position on the arm, or a counterbalancing weight may be attached to the arm at varying distances from the operator.

In a further embodiment, the counterweight may include one or more batteries for providing a source of electrical power.

It will also be appreciated that the counterweight may comprise two or more of the above described counterweight embodiments.

The camera support includes at least one control for operating a camera. The at least one control is suitably positioned for operation by the operator. The at least one control is suitably positioned within arm's length of the position where the camera support is supported by the operator. For example, the at least one control may be positioned within one metre, more preferably from 0.3 to 0.8 metres, from a position where the operator supports the camera support. It will be appreciated that the at least one control is positioned away from the camera mount.

The at least one control may include one or more controls for operating one or more of the shutter of the camera, recording function of a video camera, camera zoom, camera focus, pan and tilt.

The at least one control is positioned remotely from the camera and camera mount. This enables the operator to operate a camera that is mounted at or near the end of the boom. The at least one control may be connected to control elements that control operation of the camera by appropriate wiring. Alternatively, the at least one control may operate the control elements by wireless means, the wireless means may include infrared control means or radio frequency control means.

The camera support may be provided with one or more motors to control or adjust one or more pan, tilt and zoom of the camera. The motors may be servo motors. Alternatively, the motors may be stepper motors.

The camera mount may be arranged such that it can move the camera about two axes to control tilt and pan. The camera mount may include a mounting bar that is pivotally mounted to a cradle, with the mounting bar rotating about a generally horizontal axis where it is pivotally mounted to the cradle. The cradle may itself be pivotally mounted to the camera boom such that the cradle can be rotated about a generally vertical axis. Suitably, the cradle is suspended from the boom such that the cradle adopts a generally vertical orientation during use.

The camera support may also be provided with a viewer located for easy viewing by an operator, the viewer displaying images received by the camera. The viewer may comprise a screen or monitor mounted to the camera support. Alternatively, the viewer may comprise glasses or eyewear that can display an image in the field of vision of the operator.

In instances where the camera is a digital camera, the viewer may directly display the images received by the camera.

In instances where a non-digital camera is used, the camera support may further include a digital camera device or a video camera positioned to receive an image that is being viewed by the camera. That image may then be transmitted to the viewer. Suitably, the digital camera or video camera device in this embodiment is positioned such that it takes an image of the viewfmder of the camera mounted to the camera support.

The camera support in accordance with the present invention is suitably made from lightweight and strong materials. For example, the camera support may be made from aluminium or aluminium alloys, titanium or titanium alloys, fibreglass, carbon fibre material, Kevlar or the like. In some embodiments, the boom allows the camera to be mounted up to 7 metres away from the operator. In other embodiments, the boom may allow the camera to be mounted up to 12 metres away from the operator.

Although the camera support has been described as being supported by an operator during use, it will be understood that the support may also be mounted to a tripod. Thus, in a further embodiment, the camera support may further comprise a tripod mount for mounting the camera support to a tripod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows an example of a camera support in accordance with the present invention being in use;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a camera support in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the shoulder mount position of the boom and monitor housing used on the camera support in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 is a side view of a shoulder support and support stalks as used in an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the pan, tilt and zoom controls according to the present invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the pan, tilt and zoom controls in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the camera mount section in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a top view of the support region of the camera support in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a side view of the apparatus shown in figure 8;

Figure 10 is a front view of a hand control unit for use in an embodiment of the camera support of the present invention; Figure 11 is a side view of the hand control unit shown in figure 10;

Figure 12 is an end view of the camera mount and pan/tilt controls used in an embodiment of the camera support in accordance with the present invention;

Figures 13A to 13C shows various views of some of the components of the - pan/tilt-camera mount shown in figure 12;

Figures 14A to 14C shows various views of other components used in the pan/tilt- camera mount shown in figure 12; and

Figure 15 shows a side view of a camera support in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be appreciated that the drawings accompanying this specification have been provided for the purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention. Thus, it will be understood that the present invention should not be considered to be limited solely to those embodiments.

Figures 1 to 7 show various views and various components of a camera support in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The camera support 10 shown in figure 1 includes a boom 1 that carries a camera mount 3. The camera support 10 is able to be supported, manoeuvred and controlled by a single operator/cameraman 2. The camera support 10 includes a counterweight 4 mounted to the other end of boom 1. This allows the camera support 10 to have its balance point around where the operator 2 supports the camera. This alleviates the exertion of lifting and balancing the camera and the boom.

The boom 1 may be variable in length, depending upon the operator/cameraman's requirements. The boom 1 may be a telescopic boom which has sections joined end-to- end, with each section becoming smaller in diameter and telescopically fitting into the previous length as the boom 1 is assembled or extended to its maximum length. If the full length of the boom 1 is not needed for a particular purpose, then the final sections can be left out such that a shorter boom is obtained. The boom 1 can be constructed of aluminium, Kevlar, graphite, carbon fibre or combination of any or all of these products.

Alternatively, the boom 1 may be made from a number of shorter sections that are able to be assembled together to form the boom and disassembled for easy storage and transport. In this embodiment, each section suitably includes connecting means that allows the sections to be connected together without requiring any special tools. For example, each section may be provided with appropriate screw fittings to screw into an adjacent section. Alternatively, each section may be provided with bayonet type fittings for quick connection to the adjacent sections. As a further example, each section may be provided with clamping connections.

Figure 2 shows some further details of the camera support 10 shown in figure 1. In particular, figure 2 shows further details of how the camera support 10 is supported by the operator/cameraman.

As can be seen clearly from figure 2, the boom 1 includes a section where it has two spaced apart arms 20, 21. Arms 20, 21 are joined together at a front end 22 in front of the operator 2. The arms 20, 21 also join together at a rear end 23 behind the operator

2. The arms 20, 21 define a space 6 through which the operator 2 can place his head or neck. Shoulder pads 8 are used to rest the camera support 10 on the shoulders of the operator/cameraman. As shown in figure 4, the shoulder pad 8 includes a shoulder engaging surface 24 that sits on the shoulder of the operator/cameraman and a concave socket 25. A downwardly extending stalk 7 extends down from each of the arms 20, 21.

The downwardly extending stalk 7 terminates in an enlargement 26 that rests in or clips into concave socket 25. This assists in holding the shoulder pads 8 to the stalk 7. hi this fashion, the weight of the camera support 10 can be borne by the shoulders of the operator/cameraman.

As an alternative to the shoulder pad and stalk arrangement shown in figure 4, the arms 21, 22 may be rested directly on the shoulders of the operator. The arms 21, 22 may include a padded section for increased comfort in this embodiment. Figure 2 also shows the counterweight for being positioned at the end of an arm 27 that extends rearwardly behind the operator 2. The arm 27 may be considered to be an extension of the boom 1.

The counterweight 4 may comprise a variable counterweight that has a battery support for power to a video output monitor 5 and for the servos or step motors that may be used to control operation of the camera. The counterweight 4 may also include a ballast compartment, such as a water storage compartment, enabling for variation in the weight of the counterweight to cater for differing types of cameras and lenses being used with the camera support. The use of water ballast or other ballast makes for ease of handling, especially in the event of having to walk great distances with equipment to photographic locations.

As a further alternative, the counterweight 4 may simply comprise a ballast container. Alternatively, the counterweight 4 may comprise a fixed weight, with the location of the counterweight relative to the user 2 being variable. For example, the arm 27 may be a variable length arm enabling the position of the counterweight 4 relative to the operator 2 to be varied. Alternatively, the arm 27 may have a number of attachment points along its length which allow the position of attachment of the counterweight 4 to the arm 27 to be varied.

It will be appreciated that using a light camera will enable use of a lighter counterweight or positioning of the counterweight closer to the operator 2. Use of a heavier camera will entail use of a heavier counterweight 4 or locating the counterweight 4 further away from the operator 2. In all cases, the combination of the weight of the counterweight and the position of the counterweight relative to the operator 2 is designed to ensure that the balance point of the camera support 10 with the camera mounted thereto is around the position at which the operator 2 supports the camera support.

As can be seen from figure 2, the camera support is positioned such that a portion of it lies directly above the shoulders of the user. This allows the user to bear the weight of the camera support (and the camera mounted to the camera support) on the shoulders of the user. This allows the camera support in accordance with the present invention to be easily carried by the operator whilst avoiding the requirements for wiring systems or pulley systems to assist in supporting the weight of the camera on the boom.

As can be seen in figure 2, the camera support 10 is provided with controls 9 for controlling operation of the camera. The controls 9 are suitably mounted to a downwardly extending stalk 15. The controls 9 maybe in the form of two motor cycle type handgrips that are used for zooming of the camera's lens and panning. The motor cycle type handgrips 9 may operate push/pull cables similar to accelerator cables used on motor cycles and other similar products. For example, twisting one handle 9 forwardly may pan the camera to the left whilst twisting that handle 9 rearwardly may pan the camera to the right. Similarly, operating the other motor cycle type twist grip may be used to zoom in or zoom out the camera lens. Both handgrips 9 may pull down, as is shown by arrows 16, which in turn controls the horizontal tilt and the forward/reverse tilt of the camera.

Figure 7 shows one possible arrangement for the camera mount used on the camera support in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The camera mount 14 may be mounted to a cradle 12 via an intermediate member 13 that is attached to camera mount 14. A horizontal axis 12A extends between the mounting point of cradle

12 and intermediate member 13. Similarly, the cradle 12 is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis (at 11 in figure 7). Appropriate servo motors or stepper motors may be provided to control rotation about axis 12A and also rotation about axis 11 to thereby

' control the tilt and pan, respectively, of the camera. The servo or stepper motors are suitably high/torque motors with metal geared drives for maximum durability and flexibility.

Where servo or stepper motors are used to control the pan/tilt and (optionally) zoom of the camera, the motor cycle type controls 9 shown in figure 2 and figure 5 may be replaced with an electronic control, as shown in figure 6. The electronic control shown in figure 6 shows a control box 16 having a plurality of individual controllers 17 mounted therein. Each individual controller 17 is used to control one of the operations of the camera. The controllers 17 that control operation of the pan and tilt may be joy stick type controllers or toggle controllers. The controllers suitably control pan, tilt, zoom and shutter operation/recording operation of the camera. One or more handles 18 may be provided on the control box 16 to enable easier manoeuvring of the camera support 10.

The control box 16 shown in figure 6 may be positioned at the same place as the controls 9 shown in figure 2. Alternatively, the control box 16 may be mounted directly below the viewer (in the form of a video monitor) 5 as shown in figure 2.

A further feature of embodiments of the present invention is the viewer 5. As will be appreciated, the camera is mounted to the distal end of boom 1. Embodiments of the present invention envisage that the boom 1 may be up to 12 metres long. Therefore, in order to enable the operator/cameraman 2 to see the image that is being collected by the camera mounted to the boom 1, a small video camera may be mounted to capture an image of the viewfinder of the camera mounted to the boom 1. This small video camera transmits images back to the viewer 5. Viewer 5 is suitably in the form of a monitor or screen.

If a digital camera device is being used, the digital output of the camera may be fed directly into the viewer 5.

Figures 8 and 9 show a plan view and side view, respectively, of another embodiment of a camera support in accordance with the present invention. In the embodiment shown in figures 8 and 9, the camera support 40 has a boom 41 that extends up to a camera mount. The full extent of the boom and the camera mount mounted thereto are not shown in figures 8 and 9 for reasons of clarity.

As best shown in figure 8, the boom 41 includes a portion 42 that is laterally spaced from the axis 43 of the main part of the boom 41. The camera support 40 also includes the rearwardly extending arm portion 44 that extends to the counterweight (not shown). As can be seen from figure 8, the boom 41 and the rearwardly extending part 44 are generally in alignment with each other, when viewed in plan view.

The camera support 40 shown in figures 8 and 9 also includes a further arm 45 that extends from the boom 41. Arm 45 and portion 42 define a space 46 in which the head or neck of an operator can be positioned. A downwardly extending stalk 47 having an enlargement 48 (see figure 9) is provided in a similar fashion to that as shown in figure 4. This enables appropriate shoulder pads to be mounted to the camera support 40 for comfortable support by an operator or cameraman. The camera support 40 further includes a viewer 49 in the form of a monitor or screen. The screen or monitor is positioned for easy viewing by the cameraman. For example, the screen or monitor may be positioned such that the cameraman can see the monitor whilst he is moving and

, watching the end of the boom to camera. A controller 50 is positioned close to the position of viewer 49 to enable control of pan, tilt, zoom and operation of the shutter/recording functions of the camera. The controller 50 includes one or more joy stick controllers 51, 52 for controlling operation of the pan and tilt. The controller 50 also provides end surfaces, such as shown at 53, that allow the operator to manoeuvre the position of the boom.

The controller 50 is suitably an electronic controller that electronically controls the operation of servo motors that control the pan, tilt and zoom of a camera mounted to the camera mount.

The controller 50 may be designed specifically for use with the camera support 40. Alternatively, off the shelf controllers may be used. The off the shelf controllers may require some modifications to interface properly with the camera controls. The off the shelf controller may, for example, comprise a modified hand-held console, such as a Sony PSP (trade mark of Sony Corporation) or a hand-held games console, such as those made by Nintendo Corporation and sold under the Gameboy, Gameboy Advance or Nintendo DS trade marks.

Alternatively, the hand control unit 50 may be as shown with reference to figures 10 and 11. The hand control unit 50 may include a downwardly extending stalk 60 that extends down from the boom 41. The stalk 60 may extend into bifurcated arms 61, 62. A control panel 63 may be mounted between bifurcated arms 61, 62. The control panel 63 may include joy stick controllers 51, 52. The ends 64, 65, respectively of arms 61 and 62 may provide handgrips for manoeuvring of the camera support. An opening 66 is provided in the upper part of stalk 60 so that wiring may pass through the stalk.

Figure 12 shows an end view of an embodiment of a camera mount that may be used in an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 13 A to 13C and 14A to 14C show various view of the components of the camera mount shown in Figure 12. The camera mount 70 comprises a mounting bar or mounting plate 71 having upwardly turned end arms 72, 73. As best shown in figure 13, particularly figure 13B, the mounting bar 71 includes a slot 74 that enables the camera mounting screw to be attached thereto. The slot 74 allows for adjustment of the position of the camera relative to the mounting bar 71.

The camera mount 70 further includes a cradle 75 having downwardly extending arms 76,

77. As best shown in figure 14, arm 77 has an opening 78 formed close to a lower end

' thereof. Hole 78 is brought in to register with a corresponding hole formed in arm 72 of mounting bar 71. A bolt or pin is then used to pivotally connect arm 72 to arm 77 by passing the bolt or pin through the aligned hole 72, 78. Arms 73 and 76 are pivotally connected in a like manner.

A servo motor 79 is operatively connected to the camera mount 70 to enable rotation of the mount bar 71 about generally vertical access 80.

The cradle 75 includes a laterally extending arm 76. Laterally extending arm 76 includes an aperture 81 in a central part thereof.

The camera support further includes an end portion 82, which forms an end portion of the boom or which is suspended from the end of the boom 85, for example, by a pin 86. End portion 82 has a downwardly extending spindle 83 that forms a bearing surface that is positioned through aperture 81 of lateral arm 76 of cradle 75. Appropriate connection means are then used to hold the cradle 75 onto spindle 83. A servo 84 is used to rotate the cradle 75 about a vertical axis that extends through spindle 83. This allows adjustment and control of the pan of the camera to be effected.

In order to control zoom of a camera mounted to the mounting bar 71, a further servo (not shown) may be located underneath the mounting bar. Alternatively, the servo may be mounted directly to the zoom control of the camera.

Figure 15 shows a side schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention.

The camera support shown in Figure 15 has a camera mount 70 (which is essentially identical to the camera mount 70 shown in Figure 12) being carried by a boom 90. As can be seen from Figure 15, boom 90 has a curve 91 at its distal end, which assists in locating the camera mount 70 in a desired orientation. The camera mount 70 is preferably suspended from the distal end of the boom 90. Section 92 of the camera support shown in Figure 15 is essentially identical to the embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9. ^' Counterweight 93 is carried by the camera support at end 94 thereof.

The present invention provides a camera support that allows a camera to be positioned in locations that have previously been inaccessible or dangerous. The camera support can be easily operated by a single operator. It does away with the requirement to use devices, such as cherry pickers, scaffolding and cranes, in order to get shots or images from high vantage points. The camera support is easy to set up and dismantle. It can be stored in a small bag, for example, from about Im to 1.5 m in length. This has apparent favourable implications for storage and transport. In preferred embodiments, the camera support can be supported by the photographer, a tripod or a dolly whilst allowing full control of pan, tilt, zoom and image capture, m embodiments where a viewer, such as a monitor, is included, the camera support allows images to be previewed and composed. The hand controls suitably are designed so that the camera can be moved into position whilst allowing operation of the controls.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It will be understood that the present invention encompasses all such variations and modifications that fall within its spirit and scope.

Claims

Claims.

1. A camera support for use by a single operator comprising a boom, a camera mount carried by the boom, a counter-balance, and at least one control for operating a camera mounted to the camera mount, wherein the camera support is supported by an operator by placing at least part of the camera support above the operator's shoulders and bearing the weight of the camera support on the operator's shoulders.

2. A camera support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the weight and location of the counterweight is selected such that the point of balance of the camera support is located at or near the position at which the operator supports the camera support.

3. A camera support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the camera mount is located at or near one end of the boom and the counter balance is located at or near another end of the camera support.

4. A camera support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the camera support includes two arms that have portions that are laterally spaced from each other to thereby allow the operator to bear the weight of the camera support on the operator's shoulders.

5. A camera support as claimed in claim 4 wherein the two arms have portions that are laterally spaced from each other such that an operator can place his head or neck in the space between the two arms.

6. A camera support as claimed in claim 4 wherein the two arms form part of a frame.

7. A camera support as claimed in claim 4 wherein one arm forms part of the boom and the other arm extends from the boom.

8. A camera support as claimed in claim 1 further comprising shoulder supports for resting on the shoulders of the operator.

9. A camera support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the camera support interacts with shoulder supports placed on the operator's shoulders.

10. A camera support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the camera mount includes a mounting plate or mounting bar for receiving and mounting a camera.

11. A camera support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the camera support is made from a number of smaller elements that are assembled together to form the support.

12. A camera support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the camera support is a telescopic support in which a number of short members are movable telescopically relative to each other to thereby enable the camera support to be adjusted from a retracted disposition to an extended disposition.

13. A camera support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the counterweight is carried on an arm.

14. A camera support as claimed in claim 13 wherein the arm comprises an extension of the boom.

15. A camera support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the counterweight comprises a ballast container for holding ballast.

16. A camera support as claimed in claim 13 wherein the counterweight includes one or more weights attachable to the arm.

17. A camera support as claimed in claim 13 wherein the counterweight includes one or more batteries for providing a source of electrical power.

18. A camera support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one control is positioned for operation by the operator.

19. A camera support as claimed in claim 18 wherein the at least one control is positioned within arm's length of the position where the camera support is supported by the operator

20. A camera support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one control includes one or more controls for operating one or more of the shutter of the camera, recording function of a video camera, camera zoom, camera focus, pan and tilt.

21. A camera support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one control is connected to control elements that control operation of the camera by appropriate wiring.

22. A camera support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one control operates control elements that control operation of the camera by wireless means.

23. A camera support as claimed in claim 1 further comprising one or more motors to control or adjust one or more pan, tilt and zoom of the camera

24. A camera support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the camera mount is arranged such that it moves the camera about two axes to control tilt and pan.

25. A camera support as claimed in claim 24 wherein the camera mount includes a mounting bar that is pivotally mounted to a cradle, with the mounting bar rotating about a generally horizontal axis where it is pivotally mounted to the cradle, the cradle being pivotally mounted to the camera boom such that the cradle can be rotated about a generally vertical axis.

26. A camera support as claimed in claim 25 wherein the cradle is suspended from the boom such that the cradle adopts a generally vertical orientation during use.

27. A camera support as claimed in claim 1 wherein the camera support further includes a viewer located for easy viewing by an operator, the viewer displaying images received by the camera.

28. A camera support as claimed in claim 27 wherein the viewer comprises a screen or monitor mounted to the camera support.

29. A camera support as claimed in claim 27 wherein the viewer comprises glasses or eyewear that can display an image in the field of vision of the operator.

30. A camera support as claimed in claim 27 wherein the camera support further includes a digital camera device or a video camera positioned to receive an image that is being viewed by the camera, said image being transmitted to the viewer.

31. A camera support as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a tripod mount for mounting the camera support to a tripod.