One of the biggest differences between the various types of video camera towers is the material used to make the telescoping pole. Although that may not seem very important, it could impact on the lifespan of the equipment. It could also affect the quality of the video that you can shoot. Most endzone camera system manufacturers, such as Hipod and Sport Scope, use aluminium poles. Hi Rise Camera, uses carbon fiber. Both materials are lightweight and relatively strong. So, does it make any difference if the camera tower pole is aluminium or carbon fiber? Here’s why Hi Rise Camera chose to use carbon fiber telescoping poles for their end zone video systems.
Carbon Fiber is Stronger and Lighter
Carbon fiber has a much better strength to weight ratio than aluminium. This is very important in a video camera tower. You need a material that will be stable when the pole is extended to twenty feet. But, you also need a material that is lightweight, so that the end zone camera system can be easily transported from one venue to the next.
Aluminum Corrodes
Although aluminum doesn’t rust in the same away that iron does, it does corrode. Exposure to the elements will eventually cause an aluminium camera pole to oxidize. When this happens, you get a white powder appear on the pole. Oxidization will slowly eat away at an end zone video tower. Gradually, oxidization will reduce the thickness of the metal. This will eventually weaken the pole, making it more prone to bending and breakage.
Aluminum Can Bend out of Shape
Carbon fiber has some flexibility, but it will always return to its original shape if it is flexed. If Aluminum is bent or warped, it will remain in its warped shape. Bending aluminium also weakens the metal. So, even if you straighten out an aluminium sideline camera pole, it will have a weakness. It might snap or bend again the next time any pressure is applied to it.
Aluminum Camera Poles Vibrate
Professional photographers prefer carbon fiber camera poles, because they don’t vibrate like aluminum poles do. If an aluminum pole is knocked or it catches the wind, it will vibrate for some time afterwards. That’s going to give you blurred video footage. A carbon fiber pole may move a bit in the wind or if it is knocked, but the movement will stop almost immediately.
Carbon Fiber is Stronger
Overall, weight for weight, carbon fiber is stronger than aluminium. That means that a carbon fiber telescoping pole will be stronger and lighter than an aluminum pole. This is why Hi Rise Camera decided to make carbon fiber camera poles standard on all their end zone camera systems and sideline cameras. When you buy an end zone video system, you want to be sure that the video camera tower will last. A carbon fiber telescoping camera pole will ensure that you get the best quality video footage. Just as importantly, it will ensure that you get an endzone camera system that will last for many years to come.