So I'm going into business.......

[sk66]

I figure this is the best place to post this since there isn't a forum for "Earning FROM Photographers" .

I've decided I'm going to produce/market my camera stock system. I've filed with the patent office and I'm having a few components manufactured for me.

The system is a little different from my prototype in that it uses a custom rail to attach the camera and lens together and to mount the stock/grip/etc to. The rail is one of the items I've filed with the patent office. The stock itself is the other.

Anyways, I'm thinking of calling it the "SharpShooter Camera Mount", and the rail component the "MonoRail" (because it mounts the camera body and lens together mechanically as a rigid unit)..... But I'm struggling with what to call the company. I've considered S.K. Photographic.

I'm looking for suggestions for names, even possible alternative names for the stock/rails.

I have sourced other items to sell as system accessories. (red dot scope mount for camera, release cables, etc). The camera stock can be used without purchase of the rail/accessories and the rail without purchase of the stock/accessories. And I have ideas for additional products to manufacture/sell at a later date. So I don't want to tie the name directly to the mount system.

I still have a lot to do.... register a domain, build a site, send systems out for review/evaluation, maybe file a trademark or two, etc, etc...

BTW, any recommendations on who to send the system to for review? I'm thinking of a few like Thom Hogan, Wolf Peterson, Scott Kelby.....

[sk66]

Oh, and I could use some information from long lens users, Canon and Nikon.

The rails currently being manufactured have a fixed offset in them. I need to find out common offsets for various combinations of lens/bodies (and not just for "pro" equipment)

I need accurate measurements from bottom of the lens foot to the bottom of the camera body, with and without battery grip if the body doesn't have one built in. And any case where the mounting holes may not line up.

Any help here is greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

[cyber3d]

As far as getting the word out. Prepare a press release, make a list (with contact information for the editor) of magazines (printed), major reviewers, major bloggers. There are Press Release companies that disseminate these for you if you don't want to deal with it.

Also, prepare a few kits that you can send out to a few select reviewers. Stipulate they can review it for 3 weeks and include return shipping. You might consider give those out for "long term" (ie give it to them) reviews. Give a kit to Darren Rowse of course.

[Hill Country Hack]

Best of luck in your endeavour

[sk66]

Originally Posted by cyber3d

As far as getting the word out. Prepare a press release, make a list (with contact information for the editor) of magazines (printed), major reviewers, major bloggers. There are Press Release companies that disseminate these for you if you don't want to deal with it.

Also, prepare a few kits that you can send out to a few select reviewers. Stipulate they can review it for 3 weeks and include return shipping. You might consider give those out for "long term" (ie give it to them) reviews. Give a kit to Darren Rowse of course.

Thanks! I hadn't considered a press release. I know many of the photography magazines like to list "what's new" and there isn't always a ton of things to show, but I kind of thought those were really "paid adds".

I do plan on sending out a few kits for review....not sure about the "give away", I did do that when I started my other venture and it worked out well, but that was also for product development. I guess I could look at it the same way, and it would be a tax write-off.

Hey! Any new lens/body I buy will be a tax write-off!
Damn, I'm going to have to do state sales tax again....

[sk66]

Originally Posted by Hill Country Hack

Best of luck in your endeavour

Thanks!
If you can't read this, calibrate your monitor!

[Jim Poor]

Good luck. I've tried a couple stock mounts and didn't really dig them all that much.

It's a great idea, but the ergonomics of getting the view finder in a location at least relatively close to where an actual gun sight would be proves to be tough.

I was shooting a hunt test today (ducks and retrievers) and would have loved a working stock to shoot with, but the one I have (Bushawk) is incredibly uncomfortable to use.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

Good luck. I've tried a couple stock mounts and didn't really dig them all that much.

It's a great idea, but the ergonomics of getting the view finder in a location at least relatively close to where an actual gun sight would be proves to be tough.

I was shooting a hunt test today (ducks and retrievers) and would have loved a working stock to shoot with, but the one I have (Bushawk) is incredibly uncomfortable to use.

Thanks!
Of course I've studied the BushHawk's design since it is the biggest name currently. I didn't find it that great. Whch is what prompted me to make the first prototype stock for myself.
There are several "improvements" over the BushHawk IMO. One is that the side offset, the fore/aft position, and stock length are all adjustable to position the viewfinder to suit. Another is that it allows "proper" shooting position and has an adjustable position front palm rest (optional ) to enable anchoring the front arm into the body.

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by sk66

Thanks!
Of course I've studied the BushHawk's design since it is the biggest name currently. I didn't find it that great. Whch is what prompted me to make the first prototype stock for myself.
There are several "improvements" over the BushHawk IMO. One is that the side offset, the fore/aft position, and stock length are all adjustable to position the viewfinder to suit. Another is that it allows "proper" shooting position and has an adjustable position front palm rest (optional ) to enable anchoring the front arm into the body.

Interesting. How about a monopod mount?

If you need a heavy duty review of it, I'd be glad to put it through some pretty demanding paces.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

Interesting. How about a monopod mount?

If you need a heavy duty review of it, I'd be glad to put it through some pretty demanding paces.

It will mount onto any Arca compatible support and accept any Arca compatible accessory. (e.g. Kirk/RRS flash brackets)
I often use a monopod and occasionally mount it on a gimbal head.
Are you famous?