[MightyQueenCarolyn]

I wanted a tripod for my Nikon L18 to do some panorama shots of my little garden and whatnot but cash-strapped could not buy one, not even the cheapest on the market.
So .... I did a wee Google search for homemade photo thingamajigs and came across quite a few examples.
Here's my version and it works like a charm.
The hardware dude thought I was bonkers until I went back to show him the next day.


Cost: the price of a bottle of pop and the hardware parts came to less than $2.00 Cdn.

The photos should explain (I don't know the bolts' and parts names, anyhoo).








Please excuse my filthy dirty outdoor mirror.



Now I just have to carry the "mono-pod cap" around with me (pocketable if careful/purseable) and buy a 2 litre drink when I go somewhere away from home.

Oh and check out those tootsies. Chubby, no? LOL

[Howard]

What an excellent and inventive idea, I love it.

Regards Howard

[MightyQueenCarolyn]

Well, it wasn't my idea; just my need, but thanks muchly, Howard.

The whole bottle can be turned to take the panoramas or the way I've made mine, the part that the camera sits on (a large washer glued onto a hardware thingie or large wingnut) has some flexiblilty so can move to take shots as well.

One could also make smaller bottle cap thingamajigs, for a handheld monopod by tying a string around around the neck of the bottle and loop it around one's neck so the bottle comes mid chest or midriff length (wherever one is most comfortable shooting) for walk-a-bout shooting.

[Blackmirror]

Thats rather inventive

[MightyQueenCarolyn]

Thanks, Sista.

Other considerations:

Using water to full the bottle is easy and works OK, but best to fill half to 3/4 full to prevent tipage, or better yet, though less portable, is to fill it partially with sand.
This could work well at the sea/lake shore, burying the bottle in the sand a bit to anchor it while photographing beach people frolicking.

[Rik]

Thats really cool. I think i will have a go at making one for my camera.

[MightyQueenCarolyn]

I was so hoping some of the members would, Rik.

Take your camera with you when you go to the hardware to get the correct length bolts etc. ... or mooch around in your own toolbox. It will surprise you the odd bits and pieces you have in there that can make this work.

It's very nice to meet you, as well.

[Rik]

It's a pleasure to meet you too. Unfortunately, i don't get to spend anywhere near as much time on the net as I would like and I therefore missed your introduction.

I plan on doing a fair few pc case mods and the stand idea is just what I have been looking for in order to do some better pictures. I will also help when I ebay off some items i could do with the money for. My 400+ record collection for example.

Different height bottles could be used too.

[samjohnson]

Now that is pretty nifty. Though don't really need one as my dad has a tri pod.
But maybe Ill do it on a rainy day sometime.

[Albert Lionheart]

That is so neat - and in UKkers you can buy beer in big bottles like that so you can take photos and drink the beer, and then when that is finished you can fill the bottle with water and take more photos and go and buy more beer and taje more ... well what a way to spend a warm sunny afternoon.

[MightyQueenCarolyn]

Maybe I should've added a disclaimer in the first post.


Use caution if inebriated coz you could put an eye out with the pointy bits.

[Riddick]

Nice little hack/mod. I have seen some counter pods with weights for filming that work as good as the steadycams do.