How to Make a Camera Support System From a Child's Skate.

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Intro: How to Make a Camera Support System From a Child's Skate.

After my shoulder surgery I realized that i need it some sort of device to hold my camera. I was shooting sports so a tripod was out of the question.
To make things worse it was my right shoulder that was injured ( 98% of the cameras manufactured are design for right handed people.)

Anyway I started to look at photo catalogs for a solution. Mainly what I found was that I would have to spend $200 to $300 for a shoulder mount support, so I decided to see If I could make my own .



STEP 1: Teardown

Materials
A kid's skate
A flash bracket (Preferably Metal)
A few bolts to hold everything together
Tripod head parts
Velcro straps
One sock
Foam
A wired remote control (the only item I bought about $28.00)

Tools
Allan wrench
power drill


The first step was to remove the wheels
Using a power drill I remove the rivets from the toe portion of the skate.



STEP 2: Building

Next step we will insert a flash bracket that will serve two purposes.
It will be a handle and a base for the tripod head .
The flash bracket fit were the wheels were and it was secure with some bolts.

STEP 3:

I secure  parts from a minii tripod to the flash bracket.

STEP 4:

I filled the heel part of the skate with foam and added a sock to hold it together.
The remote was held in place with a Velcro strap.
This turn out to work better than expected I was able to follow the action and shoot using only my left hand.
I like it enough that I think I will be using it after i get my right hand back.

8 Comments

pero que practico e ingenioso esta muy padre carnal
 you don't look too happy in those photos... Awesome idea though!
 I think the use of a skate actually kinda makes it look like a store bought one. Im planning a normal style rifle mount myself. I think you did a great job of producing a product to fit your need.

The wide selection of flash brackets, and such make for great components.
Very resourceful and well made (rated this high.)

(...although I personally would have used a monopod...)

Thanks
Yes a monopod could work if you are standing in one spot.
I am usually moving around to much, shooting at low angles or chasing the action.
I never had a problem running around with a monopod... easy as can be. Suit yourself, of course.

Generally, for "big glass", a monopod is a much better idea--using the tripod / monopod socket on the lens, rather than the camera body. Lens mounts can't handle the strain when using a 300mm or 400mm f/2.8. They are much to heavy, and will damage the mount.

(I still like your shoulder mount, though.)
I agree with you but i am not lucky enough to own a big piece of glass.
Also remember i only have one working arm , My left arm to be precise Using my contraption just feels more comfortable for me. Thanks