What’s a cheap way to stabilize a camera on uneven surfaces for time-lapse?
Asked 7/16/2014
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2 answers
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I want to shoot time-lapse photos and sometimes need to place my camera on uneven surfaces such as rocks. I’d prefer a low-cost solution rather than buying a full tripod. What simple supports or compact accessories work well for this?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
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The traditional cheap solution is a bag of beans.
Originally by user29815. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user29815
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A cheap, simple option is a bean bag (or similar bag filled with beans/rice). It molds to uneven surfaces like rocks and can support a camera surprisingly well for low-angle time-lapse shots.
If you want something more adjustable, a flexible mini tripod such as a Gorillapod-style support is a common solution. It can sit on irregular ground and adapt better to different shapes than a rigid tripod.
There are also purpose-built low-profile supports like Ballpod, THE pod, and RiceQ that are designed for awkward surfaces.
Which works best depends on your camera and lens weight, how uneven the surface is, and how much stability you need for the length of the time-lapse. For the lowest cost, start with a bean bag; for more versatility, look at a flexible mini tripod.
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