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Just a Washer And a Bolt - An Ingenious Camera Stabilizer
It is amazing what you can do with one 1/4" bolt, a washer and a piece of string.
With less then 1$ at Home Depot, you'll get a tiny stabilizer for your camera. The maker of this flick claims to gain 3 stops. I'd bet on around two, but it is good enough for 1 buck.
If you are grabbing this with RSS, you can get the full video here.
For a more complete guide, check out the String Tripod over at DIYP group at instructables. Be warned, though, over there you might end up with a two dollars expense bill as they use more part and get more stabilization.
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More DIYP Instructables:
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Comments
Like it But...
I really like this idea except for one thing.
One of my favorite photography quotes is, "You shouldn't be able to tell the height of a photographer by looking at his or her photos."
I think it could be interesting to make the string two feet long and force you to take photos from creative angles to convey your subject.
Cool
Cool, amazing idea. I love it!
Brilliant!
Why didn't I think of that?!?!?!!
Remember too, that the length of the string is only the MAX height that you can use--you can always temporarily shorten the string using a second foot to get "creative" angles.
This makes it worse for me.
Maybe I just need to play with it some more, but even after 5 or 6 tries, this was having the opposite effect for me.
What I think is happening to me is this: as I pull up against the tension of the string, my arms and hands are pulling, instead of relaxing. For me, this causes my arms and hands to shake. It's just a little, but much more than when I don't pull against the string.
Maybe it's a physiological problem I have?
Me too, it's not working.
it's sort of touch and go. sometimes i get it a little more stable, sometimes it's MORE blurry because i'm pulling on the string. you're never relaxed with it. as a matter of fact, it's just as reliable as using my own shaky hands! really, like 50/50.
Just tried it.
On my way to the grocery store last night I dropped by the hardware store and splurged for a whole $2.95 worth of hardware to try this (I got twice as much cord as I thought I would need), and I love it!
Regarding Mark's comment, if I pull really hard I also get lots of shake, but with moderate pressure, really just something to pull lightly against, I am getting pretty good results. If I keep my left elbow tucked properly, the results are pretty nice. I was able to get +3 stops if I was relaxed and concentrated on what I was doing, but +2 would probably be more typical for what I was getting.
I'll double emphasize that the type of cord you get is pretty important! I was initially using some slightly stretchy twine I had lying around in my junk drawer and I was seeing tons of bounce. I switched to some better nylon cord, and things improved markedly. I would love to try spectra cord, but I don't have any spare around right now. I guess that will have to wait until I have a chance to go by the camping store this weekend! Granted, the spectra cord will be slightly more expensive, but it will definitely be less stretchy.
Pulling too hard?
I think you may be pulling/lifting too hard. You need to tighten the string, not stretch it. (It does work, once you get used to it; I've used them for decades.)
I think it could be made a lot better than it is, though, with not much more cost. Put the 1/4"x20 screw through the hole near the center of a tee plate, and run multiple loops of string from the holes in the ends of the tee to the ground.
A string from the left end, down to and under your left foot, and up to the right end, and another loop from the right end down to and under your right foot, then up to the left end, should keep you from tilting the camera from side to side as well as a constant distance from the ground; another string from the center end could constrain up-down tilt.
(tee plate examples: http://hardware.hardwarestore.com/28-445-t-plates.aspx )
Thank for that idea. It
Thank for that idea. It totally rocks!
string tripod
I've been using a string for years, but not underfoot.
My string is clamped to the belt loops at my waist. the
the quick release clip midstring slips into a pocket when
not in use.
I can usually gain two stops. A broader beam should do better.
The vids been removed from
The vids been removed from metacafe. could we get a link to another?
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