Eimage EI-A52K Clamp

Eimage EI-A52K Clamp

The E-IMAGE EI-A52K is not a standalone super clamp. It is a compact mounting kit that pairs the EI-A52 Mini Articulating Arm with the EI-A05S Smart Clamp, following the same kit pattern E-IMAGE uses across this range: the clamp provides the grip, the arm provides the positioning, and together they mount a small camera, monitor, light or microphone almost anywhere on a set. E-IMAGE rates the EI-A52 arm at 7 cm (2.8 in) maximum length with a 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) payload and a net weight of just 30 g, and the EI-A05S clamp on its own at a 4 kg (8.8 lb) payload, with jaws opening from 15 mm to 40 mm and a net weight of 60 g.

Because the arm is the limiting component in the assembled kit, work to the arm’s 1.5 kg rating when the two are used together. That covers the accessories this class of kit exists for: compact field monitors, small LED panels, microphones, wireless receivers and action or compact cameras.

Key features

• Kit combining the EI-A52 mini articulating arm and the EI-A05S smart clamp
• Clamp jaws open from 15 mm to 40 mm, gripping round and square tubing, truss and flat plates
• Arm offers over 180 degrees of adjustment at both ends via mini ball heads
• Single thumbscrew locks the arm assembly rigid with one quick twist
• 1/4 inch-20 fittings on the arm, with 1/4 inch-20 and 3/8 inch-16 threaded holes on the clamp
• Aluminium construction with rubber-padded contact points
• Arm payload 1.5 kg (3.3 lb); clamp payload 4 kg (8.8 lb) when used on its own
• Combined published component weight of about 90 g

The Clamp: EI-A05S Smart Clamp

The clamp half of the kit is E-IMAGE’s EI-A05S, a mini clamp designed for the tubes and edges found all over a set. Its jaws open from 15 mm to 40 mm, described by E-IMAGE as clamping onto round and square tubing and truss from 1/2 inch to 1-1/2 inch, and as being designed for clamping plates as well. That range covers light-stand columns, tripod legs, truss chords, poles, shelf edges and table tops. E-IMAGE specifies better rubber for the jaw, so the clamp bites securely without chewing paint or marking finished tubes. Threaded holes in the clamp body take both 1/4 inch-20 and 3/8 inch-16 fittings, the two thread standards that cover almost every photo and video accessory, which is what allows the articulating arm to screw straight in. At 6 cm long and 60 g, it is small enough to live in a pocket or a grip pouch.

The Arm: EI-A52 Mini Articulating Arm

The EI-A52 is a shoe mount mini articulating arm, 7 cm at maximum length, with a swivelling mini ball head at each end and 1/4 inch-20 male threaded mounting points. Each end allows over 180 degrees of adjustment, so a monitor can face up from a low clamp point, a microphone can reach in over a table edge, or a small LED can be angled precisely onto a product. A single thumbscrew locks the whole assembly into place: loosen it, pose both ball heads, then one quick twist locks everything rigid at once. The contact points are rubber-padded, which E-IMAGE specifies to prevent scratching and to ensure a more secure attachment. Its short length is a deliberate part of the design: the payload stays close to the clamp point, leverage stays low, and the hold stays secure.

In Use on Set and on Location

The natural jobs for this kit are the small rigging problems that appear on every shoot. Clamp it to a light stand and angle a monitor towards the operator. Clamp it to a table edge and float a microphone just out of frame. Clamp it to a tripod leg or a section of truss and add a fill light, a phone for a behind-the-scenes angle, or a wireless receiver where its antennas have clear air. Because the clamp accepts round, square and flat profiles, the same kit moves between stands, furniture and rigging without adapters. Lock the thumbscrew firmly, work within the 1.5 kg arm rating, and check the rig with a tug before leaving a camera or light on it unattended.

Full details of arm length, payloads and jaw range for the Eimage EI-A52K Clamp kit are listed in the Additional Information table on this page.