Camera Clamp Mount

camera clamp mount

Tripod Alternatives for Photographers

Tripod Alternatives for Photographers

R. Dodge Woodson

Magnificent Monopods

Monopods may be one of the best inventions to come along for outdoor photographers. These stick-like supports do a super job, and they can be packed and carried with ease. Monopods are light in weight, don’t take up much room, and can provide a very steady platform for your camera. Don’t waste your money on cheap models. Buy a good quality monopod and enjoy it.

Monopods are great for photographers who are covering sporting events, capturing photos of wildlife, or focusing in on a final sunset. A one-legged support can’t give you the rock-hard steady platform that a tripod can, but it will provide more than enough support for most types of shots. The big advantage to a monopod is that it is so easy to carry with you that it will be there when you need it, and a heavy tripod may not be.

Support Sacks

You can improve many aspects of your location photography by acquiring, or making, support sacks for your camera lens. These devices are available commercially, but they are also easy to make. What is a support sack? It is basically a bag that is filled with some type of moldable material that will conform to the shape of your camera lens. The filling could be styrofoam beads, buckshot, sand, kitty litter, foam rubber, or even pine needles. Since bags that are light in weight are more enjoyable to carry, I would stay away from sand and buckshot as a filler material.

The concept behind support sacks is simple. You place the sack on a solid object, like a rock or the edge of your vehicle, and then nestle the lens of your camera into the sack. Once the lens has settled into the material, you have a very sturdy support for your camera and lens. For a sack to work, you need something stable to place it on, and you are limited by the availability of such places. Another drawback to a sack is that you cannot adjust its height.

Every type of camera support has its own strong points. Sacks are great for photographers who are shooting from their vehicles or who want a low camera angle to capture something close to the ground or floor. This type of support won’t do you a lot of good at the zoo or while taking wedding pictures, but there are many times when a support sack is just the right tool for a steady picture.

Sharp Shots

You can use a variety of clamp devices to secure your camera to all sorts of stable objects. A simple C-clamp that is equipped to thread into the tripod socket of your camera body is great for occasions when you are taking pictures from your vehicle. Install the clamp on a window and mount your camera. Raise or lower the window to change the height of your camera. You can tilt and pan this type of support for more versatility. It’s amazing how much help such a simple and inexpensive item like this can be.

C-clamps can be attached to tree branches, railings, windows, and all sorts of other items. However, they are limited in their size, and this can be a problem. For example, you would not be able to get a C-clamp secured on the trunk of many trees. But never fear, tree clamps are available. These clamps circle a tree and provide a very sturdy support for your camera.

When you start to shop of photography accessories, you may be amazed at how many there are. If there is something that you want to do with your camera, you can feel pretty sure that someone is selling something that will allow you to do it.

Teeny-Weeny Tripods

Tiny tripods may not seem like much of a support system, but even they have their place in good photography. I have a little tripod that has retractable legs. The entire unit has a diameter similar to that of a D-cell flashlight battery. Total length is probably about six inches, when the legs are contained. This itsy bitsy tripod works well for table-top setups and low-to-the-ground shots, but it does require me to hold it. The tripod is not sturdy enough to support a camera and lens safely on its own.

I have found another very good use for my table-top tripod. It can be used as something of a chest-pod. By extending the legs and pressing them into my chest, the little tripod makes an excellent support. The ball-and-socket swivels to put my viewfinder at eye level while the tripod extends outward from my chest. This creates a surprisingly stable shooting platform.

Gun Grips

Gun-type grips are another support option for your camera. The device I’m referring to is similar in design to the stock of a rifle or shotgun. Your camera is mounted on the device and is fired by a shutter-release that is incorporated into the system. By pulling the shoulder stock in tight to your body and supporting the extended end with one hand, it’s possible to get very steady shots.

If you get caught afield without a commercial camera support, you may have to improvise. Brace your camera or lens against the trunk of a tree to stabilize it. Settle your lens between the forks of a tree or tree branch to hold it still. Use a fence to support the base of your camera. Fences, rails and posts are frequent supports for zoo photographers. If you’re doing your photography indoors, a door frame will work as a make-shift support. The back of a chair can be used to steady your lens. If you take the time to look around, you are almost certain to find something that will add some stability to your camera. The few moments spent looking for such a support can mean the difference between a great picture and a blurry one.

About the Author

R. Dodge Woodson is a full-time internationally-known, best-selling author and photographer. Dodge recently entered semi-retirement and created the World Photographers Organization (WPO). Photographers of all skill levels come to WPO to learn, to increase their sales, and to take advantage of the extensive resources offered to the general public and members. He also created an e-commerce site, www.ccionlinesales.com to showcase his brainchild. the Book Buster e-books. The site offers a full selection of Book Busters, e-books, used bound books, new bound books, stock photography, and much more. Having been a pro photographer for more than 30 years and a full-time writer for 17 years, Dodge now feels it is time to share his tricks of the trade with up-and-coming freelancers.

Camera Mount

PanaVise Model 201 Junior Miniature Vise

$22.50

The PanaVise 201 “Junior” miniature vise is a combination of quality workmanship and durability, ease of adjustment and available accessories. Designed for use in small projects requiring precise soldering, gluing and tool work, the 201 Junior miniature vise features tilt adjustability up to 210-degrees along with 360-degree turns and rotations, fine and course clamping abilities, grooved jaws…

Streamlight 69110 TLR-1 C4 LED Rail Mounted Weapon Flashlight, Black

$193.95

Virtually indestructible, the Streamlight TLR-1 Tactical Light is a lithium-powered light that quickly and securely mounts to your handgun for use in law enforcement, security, military, or home defense applications. It features an ambidextrous switch for single-handed operation, dust- and waterproof materials, and a super-bright C4 LED that is three times brighter than a regular LED. TLR-1 Tactic…

PanaVise 301 Standard PanaVise

$44.49

PANAVISE STANDARD VISE SINGLE KNOB CONTL – Standard Vise…

Shower Buddy Hands-free Scrubbing System *Hot New Product* Lg 18 X 14 Inch

$11.99

The Shower Buddy is the simplest hands-free back wash system you will ever find. Simply mount the Shower Buddy to your shower wall for a stationary back scrubber. Gently exfoliates that hard-to-reach spot on your back for a refreshingly clean feel.

Easy to install…The Shower Buddy uses four (4) strong suction cups to keep it in place. No Screws! No Nails! No Hooks! No Clamps! No Messy Tapes or …

2.5 To 3.5 Ssd/sata Convert

$14.41

Introducing the ICY DOCK MB882SP-1S-2B Black: another milestone in our 2.5″ SSD product line. MB882SP-1S-2B has a removable cover and was redesigned to have the same build quality as MB882SP-1S-1B while having a lighter weight and be more cost efficient due to a decrease in the amount of hardware used.Through manufacturing efficiency we have managed to redesign the original MB882SP-1S-1B without a…

EMPIRE Adjustable Flexible Arm Extension Mount for Apple iPad / iPad 2 / iPad 3

$39.99

EMPIRES heavy duty flexible arm extension mount for your iPad / iPad 2 is the perfect accessory for those who want an outstanding hands free user experience. Designed with a perfect user experience in mind, the flexible arm allows you to position your device up, down, forward, and back. It also allows you to set your device in portrait or landscape mode, perfect for those who love to watch movies,…

Tely Labs telyHD Skype Camera (Black)

$239.99

telyHD is a revolutionary new device that delivers full HD Skype video calling right to your living room on your HD TV. Instantly connect with the people you care about no matter how far away they might be. telyHD is the easiest way to make a video call, simply plug telyHD into the HMDI port on your TV or AV receiver. Wi-Fi enabled and no computer required, telyHD includes everything you need: an …

Professional 58mm Digital Tulip Flower Lens Hood For canon 18-55mm , 28-80mm , 28-90mm , 28-105mm , 55-250mm , 70-300mm , 75-300mm , 100-300mm , 50mm 1.4 , 85mm 1.8 with Lens cap Holder and Lens cleaning Kit

$1.49

Rotates so that you get the exact amount of shading that you require from the sun
- Locking clamp thread design so you can mount on an adapter or ring and still rotate the lens hood
- Lightweight and portable
- Protects your lens and camera from accidental damage
- Easy to use: just screw it on the way a filter would. Rotate to the right to tighten, rotate to the left to detach
- 3 Year Limited Wa…

Joby GP1-A1EN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod (Grey and Black)

$11.15

# Lightweight
# Compact
# Portable
# Bendable
# Wrappable
# Grippable
# Gorilla Fun!…

On Stage Stands 7701B Tripod Boom Microphone Stand

$19.20

The On Stage 7701B Microphone Stand is a durable tripod mic stand and boom combination and just about the best value we’ve ever offered. These stands use the highest quality components. The legs fold down for the most compact storage. Setup height is adjustable from 36 to 63 inches. On Stage 7701B Tripod Microphone Boom Stand…