GB2261739A

GB2261739A - Camera support

Info

Publication number: GB2261739A
Application number: GB9124730A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Paul Hardy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-11-21
Filing date: 1991-11-21
Publication date: 1993-05-26
Also published as: GB9124730D0

Abstract

A camera support comprises a support member (3) provided with means (6) for attaching a camera thereto, a body member (1) extending obliquely from the support member and providing a shoulder-engaging surface (2) at the free end thereof, a trigger member (7) provided on the body member between the support member and shoulder engaging surface, and a cable release (9) for operatively connecting the trigger member to a camera shutter release whereby pressure on the trigger member causes operation of the camera. <IMAGE>

Description

CAMERA SUPPORT This invention relates to a camera support particularly useful in enabling a photographer to hold steady a camera mounting a long and heavy lens.

A problem with the use of long telephoto lenses on cameras is that their weight makes it difficult to hold the camera steady when taking a photograph, while the magnification afforded by a long telephoto lens also magnifies any movement in the camera, thus introducing blurring into the photograph, commonly referred to as "camera shake".

In a known type of camera having a permanently attached long telephoto lens, the body of the camera is provided with a rifle stock permanently attached thereto to permit the camera to be aimed and operated in the manner of a rifle. The stability afforded by the rifle stock resting against the shoulder in use enables the photographer to hold the camera more steadily during taking of the photograph. However, this type of camera is only usable in this configuration and cannot be adapted for ordinary use with standard focal length lenses where the shoulder support is not necessary.

The present invention provides a camera support comprising a support member provided with means for attaching a camera thereto, a body member extending obliquely from the support member and providing a shoulder-engaging surface at the free end thereof, a trigger member provided on the body member between the support member and shoulder engaging surface, and means for operatively connecting the trigger member to a camera shutter release whereby pressure on the trigger member causes operation of the camera.

The body member is suitably in the form of a rifle stock, either of the conventional solid form, or of the more basic skeletal form having a shoulder pad mounted on a bar or the like. The trigger member and connecting means is preferably a cable release, and in the case of a solid rifle stock form of body is mounted within the body with the camera connecting end being drawn out of the body sufficiently to permit the connection to be made to the camera body. When not in use, the cable may be pushed back into the body.

The support member may comprise a planar camera support plate having a camera fixing screw extending therethrough for engagement with the screw socket provided on the camera body. In the case of some especially long and heavy lenses, the lens itself may be provided with a mount having a screw socket. In this case, a secondary support may be provided on the support plate to co-operate with the lens screw socket to support the weight of the lens. This may comprise a metal spacer with a rubber pad on the support plate and with a screw unit engaging the socket. The secondary support avoids possible distortion at the coupling between the lens and the camera body. A trigger guard may be provided to surround the trigger to protect it and to prevent it accidentally being depressed.

The camera support of the invention is usable with a wide range of different cameras and lenses and permits the camera to be held steady during taking of a photograph, even when using long and heavy lenses.

Reference is made to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a camera support in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention with a typical camera mounted thereon; Figure 2 shows the support of Figure 1 modified to accommodate a long and heavy telephoto lens; and Figure 3 is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Referring first to Figure 1, the camera support has a body member 1 in the form of a typical rifle stock conveniently formed as a hollow glass fibre reinforced plastics moulding having the shoulder-engaging portion at one end thereof provided with a rubber pad 2. The forward part of the stock ib is provided with a planar upper surface ic to which is attached by means of fixing screws a camera support plate 3. The support plate 3 is suitably formed of a metal, such as aluminium, and has at its rear end 3a a rubber pad 4 upon which a camera 5 can rest, secured by a camera fixing screw 6 which passes through the plate 3 and screws into the camera's threaded bush.The telephoto lens 5a fixed to the camera extends along over the plate 3 in such a position that the weight of the camera and lens is balanced on the support between the ends thereof.

In the conventional position on the stock 1 for a rifle trigger, the plunger 7 of a cable release 9 is mounted within a trigger guard 8 to be operable in the manner of a trigger. The remainder of the cable release 9 extends through the hollow body of the support emerging through an aperture in the upper part thereof adjacent to the camera.

Sufficient of the cable release 9 is provided within the body 1 to permit it to be withdrawn and engaged in the cable release socket for the camera.

The position of the fixing screw 6 may be altered, for example by providing a longitudinal slot to receive it in the metal plate 3 or by providing a series of holes to permit it to be positioned at different places along the plate. For example, it may be screwed into a bush provided on a large lens, so that the camera is mounted on the support via the lens rather than via the camera body, or alternatively, as shown in Figure 2, the lens mounting bush 11 is screwed to a metal spacer 10a mounted on a rubber pad 10 which may be secured to the plate 3 via a long camera screw passing through the pad 10 and spacer 10a, or may simply rest on the plate 3. Either approach will avoid the problem of putting an excessive load on the lens-to-camera mount, or the lens bush, in the case of especially heavy lenses.

Certain types of telephoto lens, particularly those having a very wide aperture, have a front element of large diameter extending below the base of the camera body. The embodiment illustrated in Figure 3 is intended to permit such lenses to be used, and is essentially the same as the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, but with the portion ib truncated to allow the front element of the lens to extend below the plane of the plate 3. With this embodiment, the camera is directed either holding the shortened portion lb, or by holding the lens body itself.

Claims

1. A camera support, comprising a support member provided with means for attaching a camera thereto, a body member extending obliquely from the support member and providing a shoulder-engaging surface at the free end thereof, a trigger member provided on the body member between the support member and shoulder engaging surface, and a cable release for operatively connecting the trigger member to a camera shutter release whereby pressure on the trigger member causes operation of the camera.

2. A camera support according to Claim 1, wherein the body member is in the form of a rifle stock.

3. A camera support according to Claim 2, wherein the rifle stock is of skeletal form, having a shoulder pad mounted on a bar or the like.

4. A camera support according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the cable release is mounted within the body with the camera connecting end being drawn out of the body sufficiently to permit the connection to be made to the camera body.

5. A camera support according to any preceding claim, wherein the support member comprises a planar camera support plate having a camera fixing screw extending therethrough for engagement with the screw socket provided on the camera body.

6. A camera support according to Claim 5, wherein a secondary support is provided on the support plate to co-operate with a screw socket on the lens to support the weight of the lens.

7. A camera support according to Claim 6, wherein the secondary support comprises a metal spacer with a rubber pad on the support plate and with a screw unit engaging the socket.

8. A camera support according to any preceding claim, wherein a trigger guard is provided to surround the trigger to protect it and to prevent it accidentally being depressed.

9. A camera support, substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in, any one of the Figures of the drawings.