The $1 Image Stabilizer

[dj_paige]

Replaces those heavy inconvenient tripods
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/104194...se_the_tripod/

Examples of photos I took this morning using this $1 Image Stabilizer
http://railroad.net/forums/viewtopic...=493919#493919

[Chuck S.]

Paige, very interesting - and obviously effective!

Thanks for sharing!

[NMarti]

Paige
I saw the same thing done using a very lightweight chain, an eyebolt and a washer. The string would sure be easier to put in your bag than a chain and less worry about it scratching your equipment.

[Ric Cisson]

Thanks Paige...makes you wonder why the major players in the industry did not offer this as an alternative...

[LeeOtsubo]

See post #3 in this thread.

[Chuck S.]

Lee, surely you don't expect us to remember something from over a year ago......!

[Wendy]

Hi ...

I seem to remember that a similar thing was posted a long time before the 2006 one ...

I remember a discussion about was it safe to attach things to the camera in that way

Wendy

[NickLewis]

Hi Wendy,

You're right. I think that on some cameras the screw hole either isn't blanked, or more likely the blanking isn't mechanically strong, so you can screw a bolt/tripod screw in so far that it can damage internal components.

That shouldn't be a risk with a purpose built tripod, but if you just pick up any old machine screw, it could be if you're not careful. A couple of nuts to limit the travel, or lashing the string far enough up the thread, should do it.

I can't see any other problem, though. Except that, knowing my luck, I'd probably trip over the string and drop the camera!!

Nick

[Chuck S.]

Wendy, my concern would be that I would leave the device hanging from the bottom of the camera, take a few steps, accidentally step on the string, and see the camera lunge out of my hands and do a 'face plant' on the concrete below.....

[NMarti]

Nick
Yeah the article I saw did specifically say to make sure you added nuts to prevent that from happening and to make sure the screw you used did not have a sharp point like a machine screw because it could bore in without you even knowing it and damage the camera.

Chuck - sounds like something I would do too!