STICKPIC: review

[ninjapuppet]

Since we're all bushwalkers here and sometimes we want to take photos while bushwalking, I thought i'd review my new little toy: the stickpic.
Its not only for solo bushwalkers. if you're in a group, you can take a photo and actually be in the photo aswell.
Its one of those simple ideas that makes you wonder why no body ever invented one sooner. you can contact their Australian distributor

It is basically a plastic ring that slips onto the end of your walking pole, with a screw for your camera. I tried to steal the idea and make my own, but the camera kept pointing in weired directions and wasnt very stable so at $16+12 postage from Ballina NSW, i bought one instead. Jeff from AMTC is the Australian distributor for these little sticpics and their website is: http://amtcgear.com.au/Products_Detail.php?ProductID=64

It comes in several different sizes depending on what brand of walking stick you use. Mine are Leki and thats a size 2. Just email jeff and he'll sort you out.
It weighs 11 grams. you can always take a small mini tripod, but this is just quicker and you can show off pics of yourself with nice mountains in the background.
Just be careful that you actually have to ram it in a little because first time i put it on, my camera fell off!
I know they're abit dear for a piece of plastic, but i think they'll make a really good cheap present for some bushwalker you know.

heres a video review http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0lIyexiX2g

[ninjapuppet]

Heres a homemade version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuHnU_-Wvho

but what i found was that i had the same problem as the guy in this video. His camera is perpendiculuar to the line of attachment. On the other hand the camera in the stickpic slants slightly backwards, so even with moderately wide lens, the stick doesnt appear in your photo.

maybe this can spark some other poeple's imaginations to create something similar?

[Franco]

I would strongly suggest not to use the home made version, as shown in that video. The reason for this is that, in my opinion, the chance of that bottle top turning and possibly dropping the camera after the first few times is pretty high.
Those uneven bits of plastic wrapped around a stick or pole will break off very easily.

A much heavier (50g) and more expensive solution but more versatile is the Ultrapod. Obviously a mini tripod but can be fixed on branches , fences and ...poles too.
You also get a better clearance from the pole so that it does not have to be visible in the picture. Can even be done so that you do not see that outstretched arm at all.
Franco

[neil_fahey]

I'm a big fan of my Gorillapod... http://joby.com/gorillapod/original/

[Franco]

Gorillapod
There is a new one now with magnetic feet to attach it to vertical metal surfaces...
(I saw that at the Photo Show in Melbourne last w/e)
The small one s a touch lighter than the Ultrapod but I like the wrap around Velcro strap of the Ultrapod, as in my pic above.
I had that wrapped around the top of a ladder holding my camcorder (700g) doing some videos like this ;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWZQKivY2SA
Franco