String Tripods

[Mike Wilde]

It sounds like a totally stupid idea doesn't it - everyone knows that you cant push on a string. but read on...

Get a 1/4-20 eye bolt, with at least a 3/4" portion of it that is threaded. and two 1/4 20 nuts. Also get a piece about 6' long of sturdy cord; think hardware store, ala home depot, etc to find these items. This thing cost about $10 to make two or more - make one for each camera bag you have.

For the cord I use sash cord because it does not stretch, and it does not have menory, and it falls out straight easily after it has been rolled up.

1/4" -20 is the thread size of almost all tripod bolts for 35mm and medium format cameras. Put both nuts on the eye bolt - an eye bolt has a hole formed at one end by virtue of the way the unthreaded end is bent back onto itself. If the threaded portion of the eye bolt is too long, use a hacksaw and file to give you a shorter bolt. The idea is to make a unit which when the cord is rolled up, easily fits in your pocket.

Thread about 1/4" worth of the thread on the bolt into the bottom of the camera. Go gingerly - you do not want to thread it in too far. Turn the first nut up to the bottom of the camera. Take the bolt out of the camera. Then use a couple of pairs of pliers etc. to back the second nut up tight against the first nut. This will prevent you from ever screwing the eye bolt too far, and piercing the bottom of your camera.

Now tie one end of the cord onto the eye of the bolt - a bowline knot works well, but any sturdy knot will do.

Then tie a series of simple knots onto the cord starting about 3' from the end attached to the bolt, and tie them about every 4" apart to create anti- slipping points.

The string tripod is used to keep your body steadier when you are otherwise hand holding a camera to take a picture. I usually step with the toe of one shoe onto the cord so that the cord is just becoming tight when I bring the camera up to my eye. I stand with my feet a foot or so apart. Using ths bit of string helps to give your muscles a little bit to work against. You will be amazed at how well it works and how much steadier that you become when hand holding a camera this way.

I find that as long as my breathing is slow, I can reliably hold the camera - easily to 1/15th of a second with a 35mm metal camera body and a 35-70mm lens.

The knots are placed to keep the rope from slipping if you are standing on soft ground. When you shift to vertically framed shots just let a bit more string out, then step on the string again. If you are on your knees to get a lower view point , slip the string under one knee. If there is a tree or post nearby loop and loosely knot the string to it and lean your body to put a bit of tension on the string.

Try it -you will never get more bang from your buck with anything else photographically related. It works great in places that do not allow you to bring along a proper tripod, such as if you are touring a historic site also.

 

[AgX]

That’s an interesting idea.

I use a customized monopod with a ball head with additional swivel. A can take off that head and apply a special base plate that enables me even when just placing it on/leaning at somewhere, that I still gain the control of the ball head.

But that cord is a nice alternative. First I thought those two nuts of your idea superfluous. Instead of winding that cord around that bolt, you could just place it in a type135 canister. But that idea of making a sling is a good one.

 

[Andy K]

I've used a string tripod for years. Rather than go into the complexities of the eye bolt set up, I just form a triangle of the loop with my feet as the two lower corners and the lens as the apex.

 

[Jon King]

It sounds like a totally stupid idea doesn't it - everyone knows that you cant push on a string. but read on...

Try it -you will never get more bang from your buck with anything else photographically related. It works great in places that do not allow you to bring along a proper tripod, such as if you are touring a historic site also.

I first made one several years ago and I agree - It certainly helps and is also much faster than using a tripod. I always try to keep it and a beanbag in my camera bag.

 

[Andy K]

Took me a few minutes but I found the illustration of how I use a string tripod:

 

[Lee L]

I made mine from a 12 foot long plastic coated small guage wire cable used for staking out small dogs or connecting them to an overhead cable run. It's small and light, and doesn't tangle at all. It has pre-formed loops on the ends and stretches less than cord or rope. A small carabiner and eyebolt finish the kit. You can also use one of these in conjunction with a monopod to get an amazingly stable shooting platform. My old Gitzo monopod has a metal ring at the top and the small carabiner connects to that.

I also found that a small dog collar makes a very nice adjustable hand strap for a camera. It works especially well with two side lugs on the camera like on the M5, CL, and the C/V Bessa rangefinder trigger winder. Some of the collars have a loose enough weave that you can set the buckle anywhere you need instead of the preset holes, and some have slider adjustments for length. I've found them with both delrin and metal hardware. Delrin is probably easier on the camera finish.

Lee