Sometimes I need some special equipment for a particular project and, although there is often a commercially-available product which would be admirably suited to the job (but often at an extortionate cost !); I frequently find myself building my own Contraption out of bits and pieces which I already have — plus some basic hardware from Home Depot.
Safari Camera Rig:
RRS sells a special Andy Biggs Safari Rig. I am sure that it is beautifully engineered but it costs $900.
I looked at it in their catalogue and, being a bit short of a spare $900, decided that there had to be another way.
So I bolted a couple of Manfrotto Super Clamps together at right-angles. The jaws of one Super Clamp grip the bars used on Safari Land Rovers (or any other handy railing or fence); and the jaws of the other grips onto my monopod.
The monopod foot extends to the floor for support and stability; and its sections let me adjust the height to position the camera at my eye level. I mount my camera onto my Wimberly, or a simple ball-head, attached to the top of the Monopod.
I already owned the necessary hardware so the total cost of my Contraption was about 25 cents for a couple of the European-threaded screws used to connect the two Manfrotto Clamps.
Close-up of the Clamps
Safari Camera Rig
My Safari Contraption has served me very well on numerous trips for the past nine years and the components strip down and just travel in my suitcase. Several friends, who have seen mine, have also made one for themselves.
Do add to this thread to share some of the Contraptions, which you have built for your own Photographic purposes, with everyone .
Safari Camera Rig:
RRS sells a special Andy Biggs Safari Rig. I am sure that it is beautifully engineered but it costs $900.
I looked at it in their catalogue and, being a bit short of a spare $900, decided that there had to be another way.
So I bolted a couple of Manfrotto Super Clamps together at right-angles. The jaws of one Super Clamp grip the bars used on Safari Land Rovers (or any other handy railing or fence); and the jaws of the other grips onto my monopod.
The monopod foot extends to the floor for support and stability; and its sections let me adjust the height to position the camera at my eye level. I mount my camera onto my Wimberly, or a simple ball-head, attached to the top of the Monopod.
I already owned the necessary hardware so the total cost of my Contraption was about 25 cents for a couple of the European-threaded screws used to connect the two Manfrotto Clamps.
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Close-up of the Clamps
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Safari Camera Rig
My Safari Contraption has served me very well on numerous trips for the past nine years and the components strip down and just travel in my suitcase. Several friends, who have seen mine, have also made one for themselves.
Do add to this thread to share some of the Contraptions, which you have built for your own Photographic purposes, with everyone .
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Ann and I have been chatting about these types of things the last few days.
