Poor mans monopod

[Matt. K]

I don't know if anyone else has ever heard of this....maybe some of the older guys here, like Gerry....or Cameron....old timers ...But, there was a technique many many years ago, before monopods were invented/available, when a very useful substitute was to attach a short piece of chain to the tripod thread...let it drop to the ground....place your foot on it....and pull the camera up hard. This would take any vertical camera movement out of the equation. I remember a friend of mine constructed one of these and I had use of it for awhile. It certainly increased stability and probably gained me a stopand a half extra re the shutter speed. Portable, cheap and practical. I'd be curious to know if anyone else on the forum has ever heard of this method? Just some trivia.

[Reschsmooth]

Imagine going into an English Premier League (or AFL match in which Collingwood is playing) with some heavy duty chain and tell security "it's just me monopod, guv'na. Wanna make sum fink of it?".

Seriously, good idea

[aim54x]

Yep I have seen, heard and experimented with a washer and some string. So long as you keep tension there is a small effect......

I remember being shown in via a weblink some time ago....it may have had a mention on this forum as well

[Remorhaz]

I'd heard of the string method but never tried it

[gstark]

Yep, I've heard of the method, and have probably used it myself, with string or rope though, rather than with a chain.

[chrisk]

Interesting

[the foto fanatic]

Like Gary - heard of the method using string, not chain.

[Mr Darcy]

I tried it many years ago (with twine). It sort of worked for me but found I was less stable & wobbled more

[radar]

Here's a video on using a piece of string bolt and washer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLlJl7TbXTA

[biggerry]

I have heard of it before (string option, not chain) but wondered about the long term use - ie half a day at a airshow for example, ya gonna get pretty tired arms. As a quick and dirty option that can sit in your bag at little cost its probably well worth having a go.

[surenj]

I've used this method for stabilising video....

EDit: I used a string.

[Matt. K]

Suren
If you got bored you could pluck it like a bass guitar.

[surenj]

If you got bored you could pluck it like a bass guitar.

I reckon that will take care of the soundtrack and help a purist do it 'all in camera'

[Reschsmooth]

Suren
If you got bored you could pluck it like a bass guitar.

I didn't realize Suren was into making those kinds of movies.

[surenj]

[biggerry]

an appropriate time for some hoff

[surenj]

Sh#$! He reproduces by crotch fission! He is unstoppable.

[biggerry]

argghhh i can't look away...

[surenj]

Check this out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsdUBEqYH7Q&feature=player_embedded