By Peter Wilson-Jones
If you've ever tried to shoot hand-held video with a DSLR, you'll know how hard it can be to avoid camera shake. In our Tip of the Week, we show you how to make a basic, low-cost DSLR stabiliser using a few common household items. Best of all, it won't blow a hole in your budget. Total cost? Around twenty dollars plus monopod!
What you need...
• Monopod. (We used a Manfrotto 334B quick release monopod but any brand will do if you can find the components to fit)
• PVC pipe (approximately 250mm long with an internal diameter of 25mm)
• Rubber stopper (32mm)
• Hose clamp (size 1)
• Dumbbell weight (approximately 1.5kg. Make sure it fits over the end of the monopod)
• Half-round file (18-22mm wide)
• Hacksaw
• Clamp or vice (to hold PVC pipe while you shape and saw it)
STEP 01: PVC PIPE
Use the round side of the file to cut away the PVC pipe (as shown below) so it makes a snug fit against the monopod pole.
STEP 02: CUT SLOTS
Use the hacksaw to cut shallow slots on either side of the pipe. The slots should be around 15-20mm from the end of the pipe, directly under the two highest edges. Cut slowly and don't go too far – the cuts should be just deep enough to allow the hose clamp to pass through.
STEP 03: ATTACH HANDLE
Unscrew the hose clamp completely and feed the metal tongue through the two slots. Attach the rubber stopper to the other end.
04 ADD WEIGHT
Remove the rubber stopper from the foot of the monopod and slide the hose clamp over the monopod. Move the pipe up the monopod until it's in a position where it will make a comfortable handle. Tighten the hose clamp tightly. Finally, slide the dumbbell onto the monopod pole and reattach the rubber stopper to keep it in place. If necessary, use gaffer tape to make sure the weight doesn't slide off.
First published in Digital Photography + Design, August-September 2010