BMX Camera Grip

When using a small camera to shoot some video it's easy to fumble with it as you try and move the camera around. With a solid grip that screws in to the bottom of the camera it's easier to hold and you get better footage. And if you're going to be making a grip for a camera you might as well make it look cool and go for a colorful BMX grip.

This is a pretty quick and easy build and can be made in under an hour with all the tools available.

Note: While the BMX grip helps, it is by no means a steadicam or a fig rig. It is something that can easily be tossed into a backpack and makes shooting video easier. Below is a quick test of footage shot with and without the grip.

Step 1: Materials and tools

Materials

1. BMX grip. There are plenty to choose from. Mine are made by All-City
2. 3/4" dowel
3. 1 screw with 1/4-20 threading. Commonly available at hardware stores.
4. Glue

Tools

1. Drill press
2. Dremel with metal cut-off wheel
3. Saw
4. Sandpaper

Budget
$20 or less for the pair. The factor in your total price here will be what grips you get. The All-City grips I used are a little pricier than most and you can definitely find cheaper ones. if you look around.

Comments

[funnycyanide64]

I actually thought it was going to be a bike cam. oh well

[fungus amungus]

Head cams are best for that stuff. Lets you use your whole body as a shock absorber.

[izzyinsf]

Very nice! Simple, useful and looks super clean. Just getting into video myself and this will be a perfect accessory. Thanks!

[Cp]

 Would be awesome if you put the camera on the other end - simple attachment to film while actually riding the bmx!

[futurebird]

I'm going to make this for my husband. I was going to buy him a steady-cam-- but it seemed like overkill for home video-- this is a nice  "in between" level of "professionalism"

Though, I might use a curved bike bar to make it a little more like a steady cam.

hmmm... or will the bar be too heavy...?

[fungus amungus]

This solution is meant for those who want something small that they can toss in their backpack. One hand on the grip and one on the camera is pretty steady.

If you really want something to keep it steady and don't mind a bulkier solution, there are plenty of plans here on instructables or elsewhere on the internet. There are also plans for a fig rig, which is a PVC circle that goes all around the camera.

Check these out:
http://steadycam.org/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-PVC-Fig-Rig/

[Ranie-K]

Or this one: einarkramer.22web.net/Photos/PhotoDiY/#Woden

[bertus52x11]

Nice! 
If you rotate the grip, you can use it as a microphone AND film yourself while singing!  Any chance of posting a video?

[Marsh]

 Applying some of that epoxy putty to the screw before you run it in to the wood would be helpful too.

[nickodemus]

Four to go! Can't wait to see what's next!

[fungus amungus]

I'm kinda curious myself. :)