lynnwood42 Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 Hi, I have heard a few people mention using a small chain attached to the bottom of your camera 'as a tripod' by standing on it to keep the camera from moving. How EXACTLY do I make one??? Like...what are all the materials I would need,...what size chain? Also...is there something that would take up less space in my bag that I could use instead of a 'chain' ........would some kind of rope or something work instead?? Thanks for any help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NK Guy Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 Just a 1/4/20 bolt or eye and a bit of chain. Rope doesn't work so well as it stretches. Light chain doesn't. Be sure you don't tighten the bolt too far, particularly if your camera has a plastic tripod socket, or you might damage the socket or the camera's internal components. A chainpod helps a bit with constraining vertical motion but only helps a bit with horizontal and forward and back motion, of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_bridge Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 FYI: These definitely don't work very well with front heavy lenses (ones that when attached will cause your camera to point down when the camera held by a neck strap). They are more of a training aid to unlearn the tendency to let the camera pitch downward when you depress the shutter by giving you something to pull up against. It is hard to image something that would take less space and weigh less than the small brass chain designed for use on some double hung window counter weights (links are about 1/2 inch long and about 3/16 wide with a 1/16x3/8 slot made out of folded thin stock stampings). 12 feet of it piles up into something smaller than my fist and you don't need 12 feet for this application. The only properties of the chain that matter is it strong enough to not break or stretch when you pull up on it and is it smooth enough not to catch on everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynnwood42 Posted June 18, 2003 Author Share Posted June 18, 2003 Hi, I guess maybe I am missing something (or am not a very good mechanic) but how exactly does the bolt attatch to the chain? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_eve Posted June 18, 2003 Share Posted June 18, 2003 The bolt attatches to the chain much like the plug in your bath is fixed to the chain, you'll need a custom-made or modified link to fit into holes drilled in the bolt-head ... if you drill right through the bolt-head you could probably use a twist of strong wire. We're not talking civil engineering here, just something strong enough for the job ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pc1 Posted June 21, 2003 Share Posted June 21, 2003 this maybe out of your original question,but , lynn , guess u don't wanna carry a tripod huh? instead of this chain thing, i would suggest a monopod ,it will be safer and more comfortable IMO.moreso, with big heavy telephotos.(if and when you use them)of course a stable tripod is still the best bet.. good luck ,,pc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynnwood42 Posted June 21, 2003 Author Share Posted June 21, 2003 You are right, I still prefer not to carry a tripod if at all possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynnwood42 Posted June 21, 2003 Author Share Posted June 21, 2003 Me again, can anyone post a close up picture of this 'chain o pod', in particular the area where the screw attatches to the chain so I can get a better idea on how exactly to make this thing? Thanks!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_eve Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 Unfortuately mine comes in a little leather pouch fitted with a tripod screw internally, so the fastening isn't visible to be photographed. As I mentioned above, if you can imagine the screw-head to be the plug on a chain in a bath or washhand basin, the chain needs to fit just like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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