String contraption to help keep camera steady...?

[omar]

I can't remember where I saw it...
Someone made a simple contraption to keep the camera steady
They stuck a screw under the camera which had a string attached to it...
At the end of the string was a large metal ring

They stepped on the metal ring and stretched up
The tension on the string helped keep the camera steady

Anyone know what I'm talking about!!?

Any links to how to make guide would be great
It's easy to make I know - I just want to know what type of screw, string and ring used

Also are there any disadvantages to using this system?
I think it's a pretty good idea - maybe not 100% perfect - but close to being as good as a tripod or monopod??

If not using a tripod or monopod, is there anything else that would help keep the camera steady?
(Apart from holding the camera right!)

Thanks


Omar

[trueblue_dtw@yahoo.co.uk]

Pretty sure this was Charlie Waite, the famous English landscape photographer. His technique was fairly minimalist, basically a bit of string that he stood on. His usual method of support was a Gitzo though...

Dave T-W

[omar]

can u give me a name of this contraption?
i can look up the guide that i'm looking for
thanks

(i'm googling for charlie waite but am not seeing what i'm after so far)

[Rienzphotoz]

I can't remember where I saw it...
Someone made a simple contraption to keep the camera steady
They stuck a screw under the camera which had a string attached to it...
At the end of the string was a large metal ring

They stepped on the metal ring and stretched up
The tension on the string helped keep the camera steady

Anyone know what I'm talking about!!?

Any links to how to make guide would be great
It's easy to make I know - I just want to know what type of screw, string and ring used

Also are there any disadvantages to using this system?
I think it's a pretty good idea - maybe not 100% perfect - but close to being as good as a tripod or monopod??

If not using a tripod or monopod, is there anything else that would help keep the camera steady?
(Apart from holding the camera right!)

Thanks


Omar

I still remember reading that and making myself a string contraption ... I used a really good quality parachute string/thread, drilled a hole into a big old coin (INR 10 coin from 1975) ... it was fun in the beginning and it also worked pretty well (helped prevent up/down movements on my Sigma 50-500 non-OS lens) ... but  ... I do not recollect any disadvantages other than the string getting entangled into knots while packing ... I eventually stopped using it after I got my EF 100-400 L IS (and later on the Sigma 150-500mm OS lens).
Anyway here is a video that might be of some help
Easy Image Stabilizer For Any Camera - Photography Trick

[trueblue_dtw@yahoo.co.uk]

It was only a piece of string, no name really. He demonstrated this on one of the episodes of "Seeing Scotland", a very good landscape photography series that I would highly recommend. All the episodes are available on You Tube.

This is the link to the first of the six episodes.

Seeing Scotland - Season 01 - Episode 01

Dave T-W