Spring-loaded clamp with 50–80 mm jaw width and 5/8" stud for tool-free mounting of small lights to props, furniture, or stands.
Standard scissor clamps have a jaw width of 50-80 mm and an opening range between 25-75 mm. The clamping force is typically 150-400 Newtons with a spring tension of 2-6 kg. High-quality models feature rubberized or cork-lined jaws to protect delicate surfaces. The integrated 5/8" (16 mm) spud or 1/4" threaded receiver allows for direct mounting of light heads. Special variants include the reinforced heavy-duty version (up to 25 kg load capacity), the miniature version for LED panels (up to 1 kg), and the insulated variant for work near electrical installations.
The first scissor clamps originated in 1962 at the Babelsberg studios as an improvised solution for quick light positioning in documentaries. American grip specialist Matthews Studio Equipment standardized the design in 1969 and introduced the now-common 5/8" spud receiver. In the 1980s, aluminum alloys enabled a 40% weight reduction while maintaining stability. Modern CNC-milled versions have achieved tolerances of ±0.1 mm and increased durability since 2010.
In "Blade Runner 2049" (2017), cinematographer Roger Deakins used scissor clamps to attach small LED lights directly to props and vehicles for subtle contrast lighting effects. The clamps are particularly suitable for run-and-gun productions as they can be mounted in under 10 seconds without tools. Typical applications include attaching Dedolight projectors to door frames, fixing LED strips to tables, or temporarily mounting reflectors to stands. The disadvantage lies in their limited load capacity and dependence on suitable clamping surfaces.
Unlike C-clamps, scissor clamps allow for tool-free mounting but offer only about 60% of the holding force. Super clamps with an eccentric lock achieve higher clamping forces (up to 1200 N) but require more setup time. Modern magnetic mounts replace scissor clamps on metallic surfaces and offer 360° positioning. For heavy lights from 10 kg upwards, pipe clamps with threaded attachments remain the first choice, while scissor clamps excel in quick setups and with lightweight auxiliary lights.
Ich setze Scheren-Klemmen für spontane Lichtakzente ein, wenn klassische Stative den Bildausschnitt stören würden. Besonders bei Nahaufnahmen klemme ich kleine LEDs direkt an Möbel oder Requisiten, um gezielt Glanzlichter in den Augen zu setzen oder Produktoberflächen hervorzuheben.
Die schnelle Verfügbarkeit der Scheren-Klemmen ermöglicht mir spontane Lichtstimmungen während der Probe. Wenn ich merke, dass eine Gesichtshälfte zu dunkel wirkt oder ein wichtiges Detail untergeht, kann mein Team binnen Sekunden eine Korrekturleuchte positionieren, ohne den Spielfluss zu unterbrechen.
Scheren-Klemmen sparen mir täglich 30-45 Minuten Rüstzeit gegenüber geschraubten Lösungen, was bei 250 Drehtagen pro Jahr erhebliche Kosteneinsparungen bedeutet. Bei 15 Euro Anschaffungskosten amortisieren sie sich bereits nach einer Woche durch reduzierten Zeitaufwand der Beleuchter.
1. Was beschreibt „Scheren-Klemme" am besten?
2. Zu welchem Department gehört „Scheren-Klemme"?
3. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?
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