I've invented something… again

I'm sure regular viewers of this blog will remember my wonderful solution to the problem of wanting to carry a tripod and walking stick at the same time.

If you've not seen that ingenious device or just want to refresh your memory of it, then just click here to see that blog post.

Well, as if that weren't enough, I've only gone and done it again!

Now, a problem often faced by macro photographers is how to get your camera low to the ground yet still locked securely onto your tripod.  You could just put it on the ground, but if it's muddy or wet then this might not be the best solution.  Another option is to carry a small bean bag with you and rest your camera on that, but if you want to avoid any camera shake then again, this might not suffice.

What most photographers faced with this dilemma do is to invert the tripod's centre column, and attach the camera to it as normal.  The only problem here is that your camera, along with its displays showing your composition will be similarly inverted.  In one word: upside down…

My solution is to employ a hot shoe adapter and Arca-Swiss tripod base plate meaning the plate is now attached to the top of the camera and not the bottom, and it is the plate that is upside down, not your camera.

This means that you can have your camera securely fastened to your tripod, off the ground and with all the displays and controls the right way up.

I's probably easier to watch the video I made about it to be honest, so here it is:

I expect the design award will be in the post shortly.  I hope the Post Office don't lose it like they must have done with the award for my tripod stick...