A system for positioning a camera relative to a work area including a clamp means situated outside of the work area, and extension and support element which operates to maintain a given position thereof. The system further includes camera mechanically held within a socket at an end of said position retention element. A high resolution solid state and miniature video TV camera serves as said camera. The system offers a simple, convenient method of close-up monitoring or video taping in which the video camera can be positioned directly over the area of surgical operation or industrial inspection. The camera can be easily moved and rotated to any position offering extreme macro close-ups, which close-ups can be video taped for later use in educational and quality control processes.