DIY Photography Gear

[Saralonde]

I'm always searching for info from this thread. Stickied it to save myself aggravation , plus everyone should checkout all the great links Nicole put on it .

[Nicole]

JiminyClickit has posted a great tutorial on using a plastic bucket to photograph flowers in, link added to the list, of course

[matthewchj]

I made a monopod using a piece of PVC pipe with an end cap on the end. There is a 1/4 inch diameter bolt stuck through the cap. No pics yet, but I got the idea from here, except that mine is full size.
http://www.diyphotography.net/diy-cheap-mini-monopod
The only downside is that it is very hard to carry around.

[property#1]

This is a link to a page that will instruct you on how to make a cable release for a minimum cost. I have made the release three times all three work I just kept improving on the method. First improvement I purchased the jack and secondly I used five strand telephone wire and thirdly heat shrink around the terminals on the individual switches. This works on *ist, K100D and K10D. There is also a link on the site which will show how to tune a universal remote, TV/VCR/CDplayer, to operate as your IR remote for your camera. This also works for the Pentax cameras and I have tried it on a friends Nikon and it worked.

DIY pentax cable release

[Joe Hoetzl]

This is something I came up with - yes, the design is a rip-off, but it costs A LOT less...



For the full story/parts list, have a look here...

[greggan]

I have actualy just launched my own D.I.Y phot gear website
Please take a look and tell me what you think about it!
http://www.stockholmviews.com/diyphotogear/index.html
Some projects are very easy and some abit more advanced.
I have loads of more projects in mind that will show up as soon as
I get time to realize them.

My 6x17 D.I.Y Range finder Camera


Keep D.I.Y / Stefan

[Lex]

I am curious, I've been trying to find padding for my bags, the ones that are usually included in all camera bags to seperate/protect your equipment. I realize those paddings was specifically designed for that specific bag in it's size and shape.

I am wondering if there is a way we can make our own padding from foam blocks that we can get from our local hobby store? I think the foam we can get from a hobby store is a bit harsh on it's feel, and I'd rather not have it rubbing on my lenses and lose it's manufacturer markings (I like to keep my stuff as close to mint as possible). So i guess the real question is, what can we use as another layer to wrap around the foam?

Any input would be appreciated.

[mdwsta4]

Originally Posted by Lex

I am curious, I've been trying to find padding for my bags, the ones that are usually included in all camera bags to seperate/protect your equipment. I realize those paddings was specifically designed for that specific bag in it's size and shape.

I am wondering if there is a way we can make our own padding from foam blocks that we can get from our local hobby store? I think the foam we can get from a hobby store is a bit harsh on it's feel, and I'd rather not have it rubbing on my lenses and lose it's manufacturer markings (I like to keep my stuff as close to mint as possible). So i guess the real question is, what can we use as another layer to wrap around the foam?

Any input would be appreciated.

if you wanted to do that, just wrap it in felt, microfibre, or suede to soften the foam even further. you don't even need to sew it, you can simply glue the fabric on the foam.

[inkista]

Rather than styrofoam-type foam, why not get closed-cell foam from a fabric store? That's probably the same stuff that's used in camera bags, anyway. Maybe get a cheap yoga mat and cannibalize it?

[Lex]

Thanks Matt and Inkista. Great input, I guess I'll have something crafty to do this weekend. And Inkista, I was talking about the closed-cell foam, sorry if I didn't make it clear. Besides it's more environmentally friendly than styro. But to butcher a Yoga-mat... I didn't even see that coming... LOL. I guess I'll know where to go if I needed a quick cushion fix. Thanks alot.