I am not able to get down to ground level but would like to be able to photograph from there. Does anyone know of a way to attach a monopod to a hotshoe?
It would be light weight gear like a 7D with a 28-135 lens.
Such a rig would allow me to sit on a stool or in the car and hold the camera right side up near the ground. I would likely have to have a monitor and remote as well.
If I understand correctly, you want to have your camera just inches above the ground. One of these might help - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=544674&Q=&is=REG&A=details
Or you can just google for DIY ground pod - there will be tons of suggestions that look like this.
My understanding is that what is wanted is lowering the camera to the ground from above and operating it from above. Several thoughts come to mind,
Using your hotshoe idea, you could try to rig something up with an old flash foot and connect the monopod to that. A few things: a) the electrical connection which would need to be disabled, 2) the possibility of the device in the flash hotshoe sliding out, 3 the stress placed on the hotshoe and the upper part of the camera which may be more that it's designed for.
There are cold shoe parts on the market, but what you would want is a cold foot. I have not seen one advertised.
Another possibility would be to attach the camera to the monopod using the standard tripod mount at the base of the camera and lowering it upside down. Everything in the viewfinder would be upside down and all the controls would be "wrong" but if you are using a monitor and remote operation, this would not really matter.
II you wanted to use the camera the right way up and use the tripod mount at the base, you could perhaps rig up something using a flash bracket. Or you could try to make or have made a custom bracket that would mount on the camera base and frame the camera. The monopod would then be attached at the top of this frame.
If you can get a lens foot with ring, you could mount it upside down and attach the monopod to it, rather than to the camera.
In any case, the camera and lens assembly would tend to tilt backward/forwards or left/right if the connection point is not in line with the center of gravity. This might make it difficult to orient the camera and hold it steady.
Canon makes software that allows remote viewing and operation of the camera using a Windows computer. I don't know about Mac. The software can be downloaded for free from Canon. You could use this to remotely operate the camera using a small laptop or netbook. I have read recently about a new hardware/software package that runs on the iPad and controls the camera remotely (WiFi), also including monitor. If you are interested, let me know and I will try to find the reference.
A ball head on the monopod should give enough movement and be much more solid than a hot shoe rig. If you use an android based phone or tablet there is an excellent app called DSLR Controller for operating the camera.
Lots of good ideas here! I just thought of another one. I might be able to attach 2 L brackets together to make a C bracket. I like the idea of using my phone or tablet.
I have several kinds of pods and bean bags but the point is that I am unable to get down to the ground to set the camera up. I'll post an image if I get the L brackets to work.
I have spoken with both Really Right Stuff and Kirk Enterprises. RRS has a duo clamp that should do the job. I'll be able to attach two L Brackets together with one attached to the bottom of the camera and the other attached to the mono pod making the two L brackets into a C clamp. Duo clamp has been ordered and I'll let you know how it works!
Discussion
6 repliesIt would be light weight gear like a 7D with a 28-135 lens.
Such a rig would allow me to sit on a stool or in the car and hold the camera right side up near the ground. I would likely have to have a monitor and remote as well.
Any ideas?
Or you can just google for DIY ground pod - there will be tons of suggestions that look like this.
Or you can use a bean bag.
Using your hotshoe idea, you could try to rig something up with an old flash foot and connect the monopod to that. A few things: a) the electrical connection which would need to be disabled, 2) the possibility of the device in the flash hotshoe sliding out, 3 the stress placed on the hotshoe and the upper part of the camera which may be more that it's designed for.
There are cold shoe parts on the market, but what you would want is a cold foot. I have not seen one advertised.
Another possibility would be to attach the camera to the monopod using the standard tripod mount at the base of the camera and lowering it upside down. Everything in the viewfinder would be upside down and all the controls would be "wrong" but if you are using a monitor and remote operation, this would not really matter.
II you wanted to use the camera the right way up and use the tripod mount at the base, you could perhaps rig up something using a flash bracket. Or you could try to make or have made a custom bracket that would mount on the camera base and frame the camera. The monopod would then be attached at the top of this frame.
If you can get a lens foot with ring, you could mount it upside down and attach the monopod to it, rather than to the camera.
In any case, the camera and lens assembly would tend to tilt backward/forwards or left/right if the connection point is not in line with the center of gravity. This might make it difficult to orient the camera and hold it steady.
Canon makes software that allows remote viewing and operation of the camera using a Windows computer. I don't know about Mac. The software can be downloaded for free from Canon. You could use this to remotely operate the camera using a small laptop or netbook. I have read recently about a new hardware/software package that runs on the iPad and controls the camera remotely (WiFi), also including monitor. If you are interested, let me know and I will try to find the reference.
Or, use an L-bracket and hold the camera right side up from the side.
I have several kinds of pods and bean bags but the point is that I am unable to get down to the ground to set the camera up. I'll post an image if I get the L brackets to work.
Thanks everyone