Swivel Clamp: rotatable clamp for flexible mounting of lighting fixtures to pipes (16–48 mm), 360° rotation, load capacity 5–15 kg. Developed by Mole-Richardson in 1958.
The swivel clamp is a rotatably mounted fastening device for flexible mounting of lighting equipment to tripods, pipes, or other support elements. It allows for 360° rotation around the vertical axis and typically has a clamping range of 16-48mm pipe diameter with a maximum load capacity of 5-15kg, depending on the model. The term became established in the 1960s parallel to the increasing mobility of film productions.
Standard swivel clamps are made of an aluminum or steel construction with hardened jaws and a precision-machined swivel bearing. The clamping force is regulated via a knurled screw with a 12-16mm thread, achieving tightening torques of 8-12 Nm. Common variants include Baby Pin mounts (16mm), Junior Pin mounts (28mm), as well as 1/4" and 3/8" threaded connections. High-quality models feature ball joints with up to 180° tilt angle and locking mechanisms against unintentional rotation.
Mole-Richardson developed the first series-produced swivel clamps for their Tungsten spotlights in 1958, after the location production of "The Bridge on the River Kwai" (1957) had highlighted the need for more flexible mounting solutions. Matthews Studio Equipment perfected the concept in 1963 with the "Cardellini Clamp," which became an industry standard. Modern CNC-machined variants from Manfrotto and Kupo have achieved significantly higher precision and durability with reduced weight since 2010.
Roger Deakins used hundreds of swivel clamps on "1917" (2019) for rapid repositioning of LED panels during continuous camera movements. Typical workflows include attaching Dedolights to door frames for portrait shots or mounting Kinoflo tubes to scaffolding poles for even surface illumination. The quick adjustability reduces setup times to 30-60 seconds compared to 5-10 minutes for rigid tripods.
Compared to magnetic mounts, swivel clamps offer universal applicability on non-ferromagnetic surfaces, but achieve only 70% of the holding force at comparable weight. Suction cup systems allow for cleaner mounting on smooth surfaces but fail on porous materials or with temperature fluctuations exceeding 15°C. Modern quick-release clamps with cam-lever mechanisms reduce mounting time by an additional 40% but cost three times as much as conventional screw clamps.
Ich verwende Schwenkklemmen primär für spontane Lichtakzente während handheld-Sequenzen – ein Dedolight mit Cardellini-Klemme am Türstock schafft sofort dramatische Kantenlichteffekte. Die 360°-Rotation ermöglicht millimetergenaue Justierung der Lichtrichtung ohne Stativ-Repositionierung, was bei engen Raumverhältnissen entscheidend ist.
Diese Flexibilität erlaubt mir, Lichtstimmungen während der Probe noch zu verfeinern – wenn der Schauspieler spontan seine Position ändert, kann mein Gaffer das Licht in Sekunden nachführen. Besonders bei Dialogszenen nutze ich multiple kleine Leuchten an Klemmen, um subtile Emotionsverschiebungen durch minimale Lichtveränderungen zu unterstreichen.
Eine gute Schwenkklemme kostet 80-120€, spart aber täglich 2-3 Stunden Rigging-Zeit gegenüber konventionellen Stativ-Setups. Bei 40 Drehtagen amortisiert sich die Anschaffung bereits durch reduzierte Overtime-Kosten der Beleuchtungsabteilung, zudem benötige ich 30% weniger Grip-Equipment für den Transport.
1. Was beschreibt „Schwenkbare Klemme" am besten?
2. Zu welchem Department gehört „Schwenkbare Klemme"?
3. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?
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