Aluminum pipe-to-pipe connector clamp rated for up to 180kg grip strength; secures C-Stands to crossbars for flags and diffusers on set.
Standard cheeseboroughs are made of chrome-plated or anodized aluminum and weigh approximately 340-450g. The clamping force is up to 180kg when properly mounted. Two separate clamping screws allow for independent fixation of both tubes. Common variants include the standard cheeseborough (90° angle), the swivel cheeseborough with a 360° swivel joint, and mini cheeseboroughs for lighter applications with a reduced clamping force of 90kg.
The first cheeseboroughs were developed in the 1920s by the British company Doughty Engineering and quickly established themselves as an industry standard in theater and later in film. Matthews Studio Equipment introduced an improved aluminum version in 1955, which reduced weight by 40%. Modern CNC-milled versions since the 1990s offer more precise tolerances and higher holding power.
Cheeseboroughs connect C-stands with crossbars for flags, diffusers, or bounces. In "Blade Runner 2049" (2017), DoP Roger Deakins used them extensively for complex rigging constructions of his LED panels. They allow for attaching baby pins to trusses or expanding existing grip equipment setups. In the Steadicam field, they are used for mounting monitors or accessories on the gimbal. Disadvantages include added weight and potential vibrations with insufficient fixation.
Unlike Mafer clamps, which connect round to flat objects, cheeseboroughs are exclusively designed for tube-to-tube connections. Super clamps offer greater versatility but less stability with heavy loads. Modern quick-release systems such as the Manfrotto Super Clamp are increasingly replacing cheeseboroughs for lighter applications, while the classic screw connection remains indispensable for heavy lights and precise positioning.
Ich verwende Cheeseboroughs hauptsächlich für stabile 90°-Verbindungen meiner Grip-Arms, besonders wenn ich schwere Diffusoren oder große Flags positionieren muss. Die feste Schraubverbindung gibt mir die Sicherheit, dass auch bei Wind oder Erschütterungen nichts verrutscht – bei einem 12K HMI mit Chimera kann ich mir keine instabilen Verbindungen leisten.
Für mich sind Cheeseboroughs unsichtbare Helfer, die komplexe Lichtsetups erst möglich machen. Wenn ich eine Szene mit mehreren Ebenen ausleuchten will oder spezielle Schatten-Patterns brauche, ermöglichen sie meinem Gaffer präzise Konstruktionen, die meine Vision umsetzen – ohne dass Equipment ins Bild ragt.
Ein Standard-Cheeseborough kostet etwa 45-60 Euro, aber die Investition amortisiert sich durch die Vielseitigkeit schnell. Mein Grip-Truck führt standardmäßig 20 Stück mit, da sie Platz sparen gegenüber festen Winkelverbindungen und die Setup-Zeiten bei komplexen Rigs erheblich reduzieren – das spart mir täglich 30-45 Minuten Arbeitszeit.
1. Zu welchem Department gehört „Cheeseborough"?
2. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?
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