Somewhere in my near/distant past I saw something similar to this - maybe you have also - So today I decided to get off my duff and actually make one.
This is mostly for shooting low angle shots with larger lenses - like birds on the beach - where you want a soft blurry backround and not have to hold the camera - like getting down on your belly and elbows.
I went to my local GoodWill looking for a large aluminum frypan and I figured I would have to remove the handle. Instead, I found this 12 inch diameter aluminum pan of some sort with NO handle - so I scarfed it up for $3. Next I drilled a 3/8 hole in the center and used a 3/8 bolt to mount the Manfro #222 grip action ballhead. This set-up puts the lens center 11 inches off the ground. If you have a camera with an articulating LCD and still able to focus fairly quickly - like the Sony A77II, shooting with this is relatively easy.
You can also use the pan against your chest for added stability at eye level - better used with smaller/lighter lenses. For heavier lenses, my bodypod works better
imagemeister wrote:
Somewhere in my near/distant past I saw something similar to this - maybe you have also - So today I decided to get off my duff and actually make one.
This is mostly for shooting low angle shots with larger lenses - like birds on the beach - where you want a soft blurry backround and not have to hold the camera - like getting down on your belly and elbows.
I went to my local GoodWill looking for a large aluminum frypan and I figured I would have to remove the handle. Instead, I found this 12 inch diameter aluminum pan of some sort with NO handle - so I scarfed it up for $3. Next I drilled a 3/8 hole in the center and used a 3/8 bolt to mount the Manfro #222 grip action ballhead. This set-up puts the lens center 11 inches off the ground. If you have a camera with an articulating LCD and still able to focus fairly quickly - like the Sony A77II, shooting with this is relatively easy.
You can also use the pan against your chest for added stability at eye level - better used with smaller/lighter lenses. For heavier lenses, my bodypod works better
Somewhere in my near/distant past I saw something ... (
show quote)
This is best used from a kneeling position - still better than lying on your belly in the mud !
I've seen something similar to this too, but your DIY looks really good. Great idea. Thanks, for sharing! 👍🏼
BRILLIANT
I have a new project in mind for my husband!
Forest wrote:
I've seen something similar to this too, but your DIY looks really good. Great idea. Thanks, for sharing! 👍🏼
Thank you Forest for your visit and nice comment !
plessner wrote:
BRILLIANT
I have a new project in mind for my husband!
And I am sure he will love you for it.
Kudos imagemeister ... gadgets make the world go round, in this case close to the ground.
CLF
Loc: Raleigh, NC
imagemeister wrote:
Somewhere in my near/distant past I saw something similar to this - maybe you have also - So today I decided to get off my duff and actually make one.
This is mostly for shooting low angle shots with larger lenses - like birds on the beach - where you want a soft blurry backround and not have to hold the camera - like getting down on your belly and elbows.
I went to my local GoodWill looking for a large aluminum frypan and I figured I would have to remove the handle. Instead, I found this 12 inch diameter aluminum pan of some sort with NO handle - so I scarfed it up for $3. Next I drilled a 3/8 hole in the center and used a 3/8 bolt to mount the Manfro #222 grip action ballhead. This set-up puts the lens center 11 inches off the ground. If you have a camera with an articulating LCD and still able to focus fairly quickly - like the Sony A77II, shooting with this is relatively easy.
You can also use the pan against your chest for added stability at eye level - better used with smaller/lighter lenses. For heavier lenses, my bodypod works better
Somewhere in my near/distant past I saw something ... (
show quote)
imagemeister, Very good. It looks great and for sure would help individuals who can no longer get on their knees (me for one). You come up with a whole lot of DIY fixes for everyday use to make it easier and I thank you.
Greg
Very ingenious. Getting down on the belly is the easy part. Lol
Elsiss
Loc: Bayside, NY, Boynton Beach, Fl.
Great Idea. It appears to work well.
Nice job!
The only thing I can think of that would make it better is two strips of bacon and an egg in the pan, in case you get hungry while crawling around.
JCam
Loc: MD Eastern Shore
Neat idea, but I wonder if it might be even more stable if the pan was flipped the other way so that on uneven ground it might get even better stability? As showns, I think even a small rock in the grass or soil, would act as a fulcrum for 'tipsiness"?
I'm not too handy with tools so I will just have to continue getting down for the shot and then waiting for some good Samaritan to help me up! :>)
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