DIY Fig Rig using Joby.com UltraPlate Quick Release for DSLRs and CSCs

I recently published an article entitled "DIY Fig Rig: DSLR Video Stablizer" using a detailed Youtube video from the guys over at Media Unlocked.   They have a number of great videos of interest for photographers so be sure to subscribe to them on Youtube and check them out on Facebook.

As I mentioned in my previous post about the DIY Fig Rig, I wanted to see if I could take their design a step further and refine the camera mounting station.   I felt that the long bolt was a little unstable and it was cumbersome to mount and dismount the camera.  If only I could find a mounting station that also allowed me to keep my joby.com Ultra Fit Sling Strap on at the same time.

Well 'lo and behold that's when I discovered the joby.com UltraPlate Quick Release for DSLRs and CSCs.  This is a simple design that provides a platform or plate to rest your camera on a tripod while at the same time enabling you to keep the joby.com UltraFit Sling Strap attached.  Since the Ultra Fit Sling Strap is screwed into the under-mounting of the camera which is typically for tripods it meant having to remove the Sling Strap each time I wanted to use the Fig Rig.

Below is a photo of the DIY fig rig prior to my changes:

The Fig Rig using the bolt.  Although the camera looks precarious sitting on top, it is actually quite sturdy.

Here's what I 'rigged' together for my Fig Rig:

First I unscrewed the Joby Gorilla BallheadX from my Gorilla Pod.

I unscrewed the Joby.com Gorilla BallheadX for Focus from my GorillaPod.  While there are other tripod parts you could use, the BallheadX is exceptional because of the various ways you can tilt and swivel the camera once it is mounted.  That ability plus the weight it can carry makes the GorillaPod a great choice for this fig rig with increased flexibility for shooting video.

Next I got the UltraPlate Quick Release ready to mount on the underside of my camera.

See the plate to the left.  It comes with the little Allen wrench.  Don't misplace this as you will need it to tighten or loosen the plate from the camera.

Now the plate is tightly screwed using the Allen wrench.  Notice the battery door still can open and close while the plate is in place.  To the bottom left of the camera is the mount for the GorillaPod BallheadX.

Next, screw the Tripod Mount to the UltraPlate.

Now the UltraPlate, GorillaPod Tripod Mount are both secure and in place on my DLSR.

I can now quickly mount my camera to the joby.com GorillaPod BallheadX.  This solution is versatile because you can tilt, swivel, level and mount/dismount the camera much easier than before.

Here's a photo of the DIY Fig Rig with the joby.com GorillaPod Ballhead X, UltraPlate Quick Release and joby.com Ultra Fit Sling Strap.

Benefits of this solution:

• East to mount/dismount my camera from the rig.
• The strap remains on the camera at all times.  I wear it around my neck for extra security while shooting video.
• The GorillaPod BallheadX enables me to tilt, swivel and level my camera angle as needed.

Do you have another solution for the DIY Fig Rig?  Let us know, we'd be happy to feature your solution on our blog.

Joby: GorillaPod Focus + Ballhead X & Grip Tight Micro Stand

The GorillaPod Focus + Ballhead X, Grip Tight Micro Stand & Ultra Fit Sling Strap for Women

by Tina Case

I have been so excited ever since I got this wonderful package from joby.com.   If you are not familiar with JOBY, well then get ready to discover a range of products to make your life as a photographer easier, more comfortable, more creative and basically more stable!  Here is the range  of products I was lucky to take on a test drive.  I will continue to show these products in action as I travel to Mexico and Australia in the next few weeks.

How can you get some of these for yourself?  Enter the 12 Days of Joby Giveaway.  There are several more days to enter so don't delay!

The first product I will show is the GorillaPod Focus + Ballhead X which you mold to fit nearly any crevice, banister, rock or platform.  That's the whole beauty of the GorillaPod Focus series.  This particular GorillaPod with Ballhead X can support the weight of a full-frame DSLR (I use the Canon 5D Mark ii) and pro lens.  

Would you trust another tripod to support the weight of your DSLR and pro lens?  The GorillaPod Focus is gripping a banister 100 feet above the ground on the 5th floor of our hotel.  I would not trust my expensive equipment with just any tripod.  Noway.

Take note, this tripod is gripping a banister at least 100 feet above the ground.  I have an expensive Canon 5D Mark ii, my Canon L series 24-70mm lens and a 32 GB compact flash card.  That's a nice chunk of change.  Would I trust all of this to any other product?  NO WAY!  The GorillaPod Focus is incredible.  It can support the weight of a zoom lens up to 11.1 lbs.  I will be testing it soon on my Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II lens so check back soon.

Perfectly level shot in camera with the GorillaPod

With this GorillaPod Focus (and now I know why they call it that) it grips onto things like a monkey.  Cleverly designed with three legs that can contort and grip to support your camera to get that perfect angle and shot.

There's no reason you can't get that level shot in camera.

Needless to say this tripod will be part of my photography arsenal because it is compact even though it is rugged and sturdy.  It will also allow me to be in more shots since I can set it up with the self timer.

This photo was taken from the Joby.com site

And check out the GorillaPod Ballhead X system. Once you safely and securely mount your camera you can then pan 360 degrees, tilt up to 90 degrees, and lock it in for stability and get that incredible shot like never before.

You can take off the Ballhead X to put on any other tripod, or if you don't need the GorillaPod you can purchase the Ballhead X separately.  

Summary: The GorillaPod Focus + Ballhead X is a comprehensive tripod system that will enable you to frame a fantastic and creative shot during your photography adventures.  The GorillaPod Focus is available for around $99.95 and the Ballhead X is $69.95.  Together these tools are like having an extra pairs of hands to rig the camera for that perfect angle.  Plus you can be in more images than ever before using the self-timer.

Grip Tight Micro Stand

When laid flat the stand is the size of a memory stick.

The other cool product from joby.com is the Grip Tight Micro Stand.  This little gadget allows you to sturdy your smartphone (iPhone and Android) to take a shot with ease.  I love to take macro shots with my iPhone lens but I often have a shaky hand.  With the Grip Tight Micro Stand I can attach it to a regular tripod, the GorillaPod Focus or use it on a platform to keep it steady.  It can also be used next to my desk so I can view it more easily while I work.

In the image above you'll see the format that the Grip Tight Micro Stand comes out of the box.  It is roughly about the size of a memory stick.  

There is a little hole that allows you to add your own keychain or in my case I've added red lanyard.  This makes it easily accessible when I'm on the road.

The tripod opens up and can hold nearly any size smartphone with the expandable grips.

The mount allows you to maneuver and pivot the stand to suit your angle.

You can even flip the stand so the phone/camera can be vertical (see image below).

The Grip Tight Micro Stand makes a great stocking stuffer for anyone with an iPhone or Android.  I LOVE IT!

The stand can be used horizontally or vertically.  Vertical image is from joby.com

Summary:  The Grip Tight Micro for iPhone and Android is a great stocking stuffer for any Instagram fanatic on your list.  At only $29.95 it's a versatile tool and is a great way to prop your iPhone next to your laptop at the office.  You can use it in horizontal or vertical configurations which makes this a very versatile tool.  This is also just as compact to carry as your memory stick or car keys.  Anyone with an iPhone or Android would be pleased to find this in their stocking this season.

Check out the other great photography tools from joby.com - and don't forget to enter the 12 days of Joby Giveaway.   

[Note: I want to mention that from experience you want to avoid taking vertical videos.  Vertical still shots are fine. But with vertical videos you will run into a variety of issues.  So stay away from that, just like these muppets tell you in the video below]



Disclaimer: I was provided with these products to review.  All opinions are 100% my own and I wholeheartedly recommend these products for the photographer on your shopping list.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas of the Photo Loving Mom

With Mother's Day just around the corner, I thought I'd share a few of the gift ideas I have on my wish list (hubby if you are reading this, take note.....hint, hint).

The Glif+--a Tripod Mount for the iPhone.   If you love iPhoneography than this is one little gadget you will want to have handy.  It will help you take movies without camera shake, take night photos and will allow you to get really creative by clamping it up high or down low.  Think of all the fun angles you can shoot!  And for those of you who want to get in the picture once in awhile, this will help you do it!  Cost:  $49.95

A Lensbaby Composer Pro: I was able to try out the Lensbaby Composer while at Camp Shutter Sisters last fall and really enjoyed playing around with it.  While it took some getting used to, I was able to produce some creative, unique images.  It is definitely an artistic lens but one that I know I would have a lot of fun with!  Cost:  $399.95

Color Film for my Polaroid 600 Camera:   I'm new to Polaroid photography but I'm excited to learn more about it and shoot some instant photos.  I purchased a pack of the Silver Shade Film but would love a pack of the PX 680 Color Shade film too.  If you have not checked out the Impossible Project's website, you really should.  The Impossible Project saved the last Polaroid production plant for integral instant film in Enschede (NL) (Polaroid had announced in 2008 that they would no longer produce instant film) and started to invent and produce totally new instant film for traditional Polaroid cameras.  They saved analog instant photography from extinction by releasing this new brand of film.  Cost:  $24.95

GorillaPod Focus:  This amazing, compact tripod can  support up to 11.1 pounds!  We are going to be traveling this summer and I think this little baby would come in handy!   Cost:  $99.95