Pistol grip -style shoulder mount systems

[fates]

Just wondering what you guys might be using that is interesting to achieve handheld stability. I recently modified a krasnogorsk-3 16mm camera stock to my 5D mk2 for video applications.


Was wondering if you had any ideas on mounts to try.
Here are some I'm considering:
ROWI Shoulder Stock


Bush Hawk:


Ar15!?!?!:

[my_photography]

Any problem taking these sniper types of cameras shooting in your country? I dare not even buy one for the lens, because I will have to make a lot of explanation to the custom. Using this sniper camera is definitely a no, no where I am from.

[Rolf]

Yes, mainly the last one looks very "uncommon"

[fates]

Yeah, that last one, is ridiculous. Found that photo in my searches...

[alex]

My system is pretty uninspiring looking, but it works. I've a couple of table-top tripods, the kind where the legs are stored inside the central column, and I use them propped against my chest, and sometimes without the legs spread out (the tripod's, not my own), like a mini monopod propped against my upper chest. At other times, I have a little beanbag I use to prop the camera on or against a wall, tree or lamp post.

The beanbag isn't one of those shop-bought photo accessories. It came with a buckwheat pillow I bought (great things if you suffer from stiff or sore neck in bed), and you were supposed to lay it over you eyes as a kind of sleeping mask when in bed, but the idea of lying in bed with a beanbag on my face was too preposterous to contemplate, and I was on the point of binning it when it occurred to me that it was a fine length and width for a camera to sit on.

[mjkwee]

I suffered a stroke that paralyzed my right side and I have been racking my brains ever since I returned to photography (a month and 1/2 ago after 30 years of absence since high school) as to how to operate the camera w/ ease and stability using only my left hand. I've thought of using a much simpler pistol grip and maybe a wired cable release for my DSLR. I do like to use my old glasses from HS and retire my Spotmatic. I am able to manage only using my left hand to focus and trigger the shutter release on short lenses. I tried my 300/4 but it is front heavy and it shakes as I go for the shutter release. Shakes and blurry photographs are not desirable in my case. Tripod is not an option in 80% of the time because I can't carry the tripod at the same time use a cane unless I use the tripod as a cane too. I'd love to have that freedom to take reasonable action shots.

Any brilliant ideas as to type of grip, adapters or contraptions that I should look into? It should be light and budget are key plus.
Thanks in advance for reading and any ideas and suggestion are welcomed.

[fates]

You could try something like this. It allows one handed operation if you're not running crazy: http://www.thecinecity.com/tcc/product.php?productid=42&cat=3&page=1

[Olivier]

Last model...
Oh yes, I remember it has been designed by Uzi or Beretta.

No recoil.

[kds315*]

Even if it would work perfectly - I wouldn't use if for ethical reasons... I'd rather use a in-camera or in-lens stabi

[mo]

@mjkwee

Have you any strength in the right hand? I have seen an adapted monopod not for your particular case.But why not adapt a walking stick with a camera attachment? I don't know if you have any engineering friends?

[tuananhmap]

Hi Fates,
Where could buy them? I looking for them to improve my macro handheld
Thanks!

[Olivier]

Hello Tuanan.

Here, there are 2.
http://www.image-nature.com/boutique_materiel.html

[Andreas]

[Olivier]

Mjkwee, The bush hawk in fates' first post has a button on the pistol grip wich is linked with a cable to the camera.

For instance, here, the pistol grip (it's interesting that it can be screwed on a monopod)
http://www.image-nature.com/objet_109.html
and the cable
Nikon : http://www.image-nature.com/objet_111.html
or Canon : http://www.image-nature.com/objet_110.html

Maybe this handgrip could also help :
http://www.image-nature.com/objet_158.html


Maybe that type of solution : http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2431?livid=107%7C117&idx=118
+
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2377?livid=107%7C117&idx=118

or that of the same kind :
http://img221.imageshack.us/i/suportapnsl5.jpg/

PS : sorry for commercial links. I don't have any shares here and it's just to help.

[mjkwee]

Fates - thanks. I'll study the shoulder support yand I have to go thru the whole process in my head first. Prior to investing.

Olivier - Thanks. I saw Fates' 1st post and thought this may work too. I have a Pentax K100D. It is compact for my left middle finger to reach the shutter with short lenses while cradling the camera in my palm. I also considered this hand grip. The challenge is I have to reverse it for the left hand, and for focusing I need to bring my hand to the front (for longer lenses) then trigger the shutter. I thought of maybe a variant of the hand-grip that I can slide my left wrist to secure the camera while focusing. Then have the cable release that can be attached to the palm and trigger the shutter at the point of focus.

Andreas - thanks. I'll research the Noflexar system per your suggestion. I am not familiar with this one.

Mo-fo - Thanks. I can't lift my right hand to even to rest the camera on it. I do have a walking stick with a tripod mount. This will allow me to rest the camera and shoot. This is ok for static or stationary subjects. Another challenge I have is my paralysis affects my entire right side. I have the challenge of walking the stick with the camera mounted. I considered using a quick release for the camera mount.

To all I am humbled by your generous ideas.

[tuananhmap]

[mjkwee]

Fates, I seriously considered this support option from The cine city (reasonably priced) and the Novoflex (Andreas' recommendation). Alex, I read what you have done with a tripod and that gave me the idea for the prototype. See picture.

I used a 10" GorillaPod equivalent. It allowed me to adjust the tilt, and height. I took it for a spin yesterday and it seems to work. Rotating the tripod position 90 deg allows me to take Portrait/landscape shots easily. This works supporting the camera while I can free my left hand to make necessary adjustments and triggering the shutter.

I still will consider a quick release plate for tripod mount. Storing the setup is easy with a bit larger bag (medium size).

Thanks again.