Home built- Pistol grip trigger

[Lumen Miner]

Hi all! Just thought some may be interested. Got bored and had some spare connectors, so I thought I'd try my hand at making a pistol grip. I injured my neck several years ago, when a shelving unit fell on me. Since then my hands shake, whenever I get into an unusual position for more than 30secs. This has made one handed photography next to impossible. I really wanted to be able to shoot one handed again. This was my attempt.

Not sure of the actual functionality, yet makes macro easier one handed.

It is constructed from a full metal garden hose spray gun. A thread was tapped into the top, to accomodate the camera thread.
Epoxy putty was then used to build up the trigger section.
The finger grips are my fingers, pressed into the still soft epoxy. This makes the grip very comfortable. The rest of the epoxy was then sanded back smooth.

The unit is heavy being all metal, yet there was no way I would risk the thread ripping out, I wanted it full metal.

The front of the unit can be tapped, to allow an extension bar for lens support.
The trigger at half press focuses and full shoots. I am not too happing with the button, I may add a soft silicon button over the red one.



Not sure if I would take it out in public, but it was fun to build.

Any questions / comments / critique welcomed.

[Dennis]

Hi Mitchell

So sorry to hear of your accident and the injuries sustained as a result of it.

The pistol grip looks like a good solution for helping you shoot one handed again. Would the comfort, steadiness and functionality be improved by a shoulder stock?

Looking forward to seeing some macro shots from your new beaut DIY grip!

Cheers

Dennis

[Lumen Miner]

Thanks Dennis. You learn to live with it.
The trigger is nice and sensitive. Not sure about a shoulder stock, I can see that becoming more of a hinderance than a help, especially with macro.

Apart from trying to dull my gitters, it looks wicked cool too!! :thumbsup:

[troypiggo]

Ha! That's excellent! Haven't seen anything like it, but hey, if it works...

Re: shoulder stock. Pretty sure Manfrotto/Bogen make these. Novoflex too. I've seen macro guys using them for stability without tripods. Lemme google...

Here's the one I was thinking of:
Novoflex chest pod (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/240748-REG/Novoflex_PISTOCKC_Chest_Shoulder_Po d_Reduces.html) and photo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dalantech/527495043/)

Warning however, and this will be especially for you and your pistol grip, apparently there was a news article where police stopped traffic and cornered a "sniper" that actually turned out to be a photographer with a telephoto lens! With a pistol grip and shoulder brace, expect attention while shooting in public. Shame about paranoia these days. Seen those T-shirts "I'm a photographer, not a terrorist"?

[bojan]

No wonder, if he used this one... it is not AK55 though.. but still Russian ;)
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Zenit-ES-Photo-Sniper-with-58mm-and-300mm-lenses-boxed_W0QQitemZ200415558322QQcmdZVi ewItemQQptZUK_Photography_Film_Came ras_ET?hash=item2ea9b2bab2

[scopemankit]

I hope you disconnected the garden hose!

[Lumen Miner]

Thanks! Yes it does seem to work. Needs a lens support though, for bigger ones.



That thing is nuts!!



Oh!! I was wondering why, there was water still dripping out of it! LoL! ;)