Poor man's image stabilizer

[Curtis N]

I've been wanting to try this ever since I saw Holling Vincoeur holding a similar outfit on the TV series Northern Exposure back in the '90s.

It's fashioned from a broken gunstock. In hindsight, it may have been easier to make something just as functional with a jigsaw and scrap lumber. Still trying to figure out the best way to incorporate a remote shutter switch where the trigger used to be.

As soon as I brought it up to my shoulder and looked through the viewfinder, I could see a real difference in camera stability. Test shots to follow.

[Curtis N]

These images are 100% crops from the center of four consecutive shots in burst mode. Taken with a 300D and "el cheapo" 75-300 lens, 300mm focal length, 1/30 sec. f/8, ISO 100. The target is the corner of my neighbor's house about 100 ft. (30m) away where the phone line is attached. Keep in mind this lens is about as sharp as a worn-out butter knife at that focal length.I kept my elbows in and tried to keep the camera as steady as possible for both sets. The first group was shot without the gunstock attached, the second group was taken with it.

[Curtis N]

Here's a reference shot taken with a tripod and remote.
What are the chances I could take this to an air show and not get surrounded by security?:eek:

[Tom W]

Interesting improvement - and I think it has some style!

[arpi]

interesting idea. that is what I would call 'shooting.' Hope you don't use it in the dark and a cup dosen't make a mistake :p

[Sathi]

Heh, nice. People might take that the wrong way though...like cops.

[csondagar]

uhhh! how do you pass this 'tripod' past airport security? This will freak the living daylights out of those poor guys. :rolleyes:

[Curtis N]

Thanks, Tom.

Isn't it interesting how a short piece of wood makes people uptight these days? It's just a prototype. It hasn't left the house yet, and admittedly it could make people nervous in some situations.

Version 2.0 will probably be more of a fold-up design for portability and without the characteristic firearm shape. If it could be mounted on a monopod it might be even better.

It also occured to me that you might be able to obtain similar results by mounting a camera on a monopod and sticking the leg under your armpit.

The research and development continues.

[David1943]

Haha - You might get away with using it in the States but don't try to bring it to England or you'll have the airport closed down for hours.

Happy snapping or is that shooting? :lol:

[Rob612]

I think that photorifles are available from camera shops. AT least I've seen them LOOOOONG time ago, and here in Italy.

But I really like that, I have a couple of old gunstocks, I may give it a try... :D

[Timm]

What are the chances I could take this to an air show and not get surrounded by security?:eek:
Back in the 80's a friend once pulled an old Zenit rifle mount (inc long prime lens) out of a holdall at the Farnborough Airshow and the MOD Police went APE when he swung it into view at his shoulder! http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif The dang thing looked like a grenade launcher. http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_confused.gif
I think in these times your best bet would be to check at the gate with someone in authority on the probability of your getting jumped on by the goon squad...

[blue_max]

A guy was shot in the UK because he had a table leg. Go figure.

Do you feel lucky, well do you?

Graham

[ByteTheBullet]

Simply paint it a non offensive color, like blaze orange or something. Put canon(not cannon) stickers all over it.

Let us see the final version when it is finished!


ByteTheBullet (-:

[GyRob]

i use to manufacture these a few years ago out of fiba glass ,top was my proto type the stock also held 5 rolls of film,then i had a trade name Lensmaster inprinted bottom one, the cable release was opperated by the trigger.
Rob.
oh feel free to copy i let the patent go.

[CyberPet]

Now with all the sniper shooters around scaring people, aren't you afraid to get in trouble with an outfit like that?

[RockOne]

It something similar to these.
http://bushhawk.shopol.com/Group/5YDIQ7IWWOKX6ZMJ.htm
I used to have one of those zenit ones. Worked quite well with their big, heavy 300mm lens.

[Tom W]

Haha - You might get away with using it in the States but don't try to bring it to England or you'll have the airport closed down for hours.


That in itself might well be worth the price. :D

[GyRob]

not really ,im in the uk and only use it for fighter jets at a bombing range now and again as i have a IS lens and dont need it so much now ,i allways make sure its covered up when its in the car though.
Rob.

[Jon, The Elder]

One of the major gear mfgr's offers a chest brace thats works well, just can't remember who at this point.

[arpi]

The dang thing looked like a grenade launcher


he he. here in the US people can self sefendent themselves and maybe the mistake does not come from a cup :o

[KirkM]

They've had stabilizers for video for quite awhile. Not sure how practical it would be for an SLR though :)

Steadicam (http://www.steadicam.com/handheldmerlin.html)

[Curtis N]

I've seen many of them in catologues. They seem to be designed mostly to support the weight of the video cam since it needs to be held up for long periods. Some designs might work for still photography but most of them are kinda pricy.

[ScottE]

The best poor man's image stabilizer I ever saw was a guy who had a 1/4-20 screw with a piece of cord attached screwed into the tripod mound screw hole in the camera. When he wanted image stabilization he just stepped on the cord and pulled the camera up against the tension on the cord.

He said it work well, but I never got around to trying this out for myself.

[Citizensmith]

It also occured to me that you might be able to obtain similar results by mounting a camera on a monopod and sticking the leg under your armpit.


Definitely, works great for me. One leg in your armpit, two (together) on your shoulder. Not the class of a rifle butt but it works.

[Grampaw]

How about using the folding stock from an Uzi. Lightweight, non-threatening, easy to carry. Gunstock is a good idea, especially if you're braced against a wall or something.
Time for a trip to my friendly neighborhood gun shop...

[Curtis N]

How about using the folding stock from an Uzi. Lightweight, non-threatening, easy to carry. Gunstock is a good idea, especially if you're braced against a wall or something. Time for a trip to my friendly neighborhood gun shop...I don't know what those things go for, but my next version will be made with a piece of scrap lumber, a jigsaw and a drill. I'm sure that will be quicker than trying to modify a gunstock to make it work. I'm also going to try the monopod under the armpit technique.