Comments on: DIY Image Stabilizer for Your Digital Camera

By: benikesh

benikesh — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:11:20 +0000

I’ve been using a string for years, but not under foot.
My string is clamped to the belt loops at the sides of my pants with a quick release plate at the center. The release plate slips into a pocket when not in use.
A good optical engineer should be able to devise a formula for the beam width/fstop relation.

By: George

George — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 05:25:30 +0000

Good tip. I learned this technique at the Nikon School of Photography in 1978 and it was hardly new then. The School even sold a “kit” with a bolt and sash chain. (Chains don’t stretch like string or cord.)

By: dfg

dfg — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:27:04 +0000

You know that you just need a string right?two loops one for the cam and one for youre foot…?

By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 05:39:23 +0000

You could put the same bolt on both ends. It could easily double as the weight (not that a weight is necessary) and you won’t have to fumble for the right end of the string in those “i need my camera now” situations.

Also this could have been demonstrated in a jpg with about 1% of the bandwidth and I would’ve seen what you were up to instantaneously. All those video shy stumbler’s are sure to miss your point, which I admit was worth viewing the video for.

By: danstand

danstand — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 16:51:20 +0000

Hey, great tutorial with a very original idea. I think you should know, though, that the technique you used to attach the string to the bolt is called “whipped” whereas you referred to it as “lashing”. I’m an Eagle Scout too.

By: Postal Boy

Postal Boy — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:04:32 +0000

You could probably do this without hooking it to the camera. The idea is to provide “tension” so you aren’t “floating the camera”. Marksmen use similar techniques to steady their rifles by putting tenion on the shoulder strap.

Nice idea. Hadn’t thought of doing it like this before.

By: d4n131m3j14

d4n131m3j14 — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 21:04:23 +0000

I am now scared of trying this, i don’t want to rip off the socket thing in my camera.

By: Angela

Angela — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 19:34:54 +0000

Wow! This is a really great technique! I’m definately going to try this!

By: rickyp

rickyp — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 14:51:58 +0000

Ian Wigg, you’re right, good call! UNC is pretty standard in North America, but I didn’t think of other places in the world.

On another note, I’ve been playing with this for a few days and for those who may be worried about damaging the socket on their camera, forget about the bolt all together and make a loop around the end that you can slip your left hand into. Now you have a stabilized hand to rest your camera on. It seems to almost have the same effect and no risk of damage to the camera.

By: Bryuer

Bryuer — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:04:05 +0000

This is a lightweight variation on what we used to do in the old days of 35mm. I would use the strap from my camera bag (or any long leather belt) attach the screw to one side, and drop the other end on the ground. The best part of that was, because the strap was thick, you could put any part of it on the ground and lean on it with your knee, foot or slide it in a crevice to lock the length. If you used a belt, it could also be used to hold up your pants. ;-)