Wanted: Ideas for Tiny Camera Tripod

[frisbeefreek]

I have a Canon digital point and shoot camera along with a mini-tripod (looks like this): http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/ultrapod-mini-camera-tripod.html

I was hoping to make something much smaller (and lighter) -- I'm looking for ideas.

Essentially, take a bolt and make something smaller than this: http://www.camerahacker.com/build/Bicycle_Camera_Mount.php

I'm thinking about putting a hole in the lid of my cooking pot, threading the bolt, securing with a nut, and using the lid as a base (I then prop rocks underneath the lid to frame my photo). I want something more secure than just propping the camera.

Anyone in the crowd have personal experience to share?

Thanks - FF

[dradius]

Not exactly a tripod, but here is something http://www.diyphotography.net/just-a-washer-and-a-bolt-an-ingenious-camera-stabilizer

[YoungMoose]

how about u use sticks. lol if u do it good enough it will hold

[Stormennorm]

Smallest one i ever seen http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/bottlepod_bottle_cap_monopod.html

[Downhill Trucker]

I have the small gorilla pod. Not the lightest but oh so versatile in the backcountry.

[frisbeefreek]

Stormen -- Pretty close to what I'm thinking (except that I'll tinker at home).

I think if I drill a hole in a bottle cap, put a bolt through it, I have a non-adjustable tripod.

If I bend the bolt, then I can change the vertical angle by spinning the camera around the bolt (or simply nest the bottle in my pack).

-FF

[WritinginCT]

http://www.osnusa.net/osn-cp-5-bottle-camera-pod.html

[Ramble~On]

Use what you already have....a ziplock bag, a sock, a stuff sack, a jacket, backpack, sleeping bag etc. ball it up and use it as a bean bag under the camera. I stuffed a bunch of dirt into a ziplock bag once, set the bag on a tree limb and put the camera on it- worked.

A piece of string and three sticks can be tied into a tripod and a stuff sac or ziplock can be set into the place where the three sticks meet- works as a kind of ballhead.

Put your camera inside your boot with the lens pointing out...you can use the strings to hold the camera however you want it.

With any of these don't forget to use the timer unless you have a shutter release cable.

[lizzieGAME09]

You could try a Stick Pic -- http://www.thestickpic.com/index.html

[calculating infinity]

just use a little beanbag

[Harley&Me]

I bought a gorillapod on ebay for 5 bucks with free shipping. I was expecting a crappy knock off, but was pleasantly surprised when I recieved a quality product.

[weary]

I drilled a 7/16th inch hole down into the top of my wooden hiking stick. I added a 1/4-20 bolt and epoxied it into the hole. It makes my pole a monopod. Great for group shots, and landscapes. Not so great for small flower shots. For those I set my camera on a ziplock bag filled with rocks and dirt.

I find the epoxy holds better if I also screw a nut onto the bolt before glueing it into the pole. The nut provides a bit more surface for the epoxy to attach to.

I've never weighed 1/4 by 20 nuts and bolts, but the rig is well under an ounce. I use a small wooden knob with a nut embedded to cover the top of the pole when the camera is off.

Weary

[WalkinHome]

Have a few sturdy rubber bands handy for fastening your camera in a bush or shrub or tree branch. That's how I got my pics at McAfee.

[frisbeefreek]

All good ideas. This is low risk tinkering, so obviously whatever fits your style and gets you the photo.

I'm not a huge fan of twigs because I have a hard time getting it level and stable, especially when trying to frame the photo (usually self-portraits). I also want something that I can whip out and setup in a heartbeat.

Anyway, here is what's working for me today--

1) 1/4"diam x 1/2" long nylon machine bolt, nut, washer.
2) Cut the bottom off a 16oz plastic soda bottle, leave ~0.25" of the sidewall.
3) Punch a hole in the center, thread the bolt, apply washer + nut.
4) Screw camera into bolt.

Total weight ~7g for a stable base.

Next modification is to incorporate the base into the camera case (will probably have to switch to a rectangular plastic box).

What prompted this is the need for a new camera. I borrowed a friends digital scale and was shocked to discover that my Canon A95 + Case + Mini-tripod weighed 510g (355g for the camera + batteries). Granted it takes 4AA batteries and the case is excessive, but still, that's a lot.

I'm going to buy the Canon A1000IS (155g inc. batteries). My guess is that camera+homemade case+tripod will clock in around 200g. 300g savings.

[frisbeefreek]

Wish I could edit my previous message - I'm getting a new camera because my current one is broken. The weight savings are a bonus.