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$1 DIY Camera Monopod

by Jon Chase on October 29, 2009 at 12:36 PM

When requiring a stable camera for tricky subjects, the resourceful (or broke) photographer needs no more than an eye-hook bolt, a nut, and a simple piece of string to construct a makeshift monopod. All you'll need is a 1/4-20 eye hook, a 1/4-20 nut, and a length of string that is about your height. First, screw the nut halfway up the bolt, tie or loop the string to the eye hook, and then screw the bolt into the bottom of your camera. (Almost all cameras use the same size bolt and thread type.) Gently tighten the nut, only to make sure the bolt doesn't back out. Drop the other end of the string to the floor so that it is hanging from the camera. Next, frame your shot, step on the string so that it is taught (and you're comfortable standing), and simply maintain tension. That's it! It seems hokey, but you'll be able to keep a camera far more stable than you would if you were to simply brace it against your body. Hit instructables.com for a more detailed version and explanation.

Tags: diy, string monopod, StringMonopod, techtip, top, tripod

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