TREKKING POLE CAMERA MOUNT

I always keep my pack weight as low as possible, but if you look at my gearlists, you'll see that I always bring a camera. This allows me to share pictures and videos with others and to look back on past trips. However, if you often hike solo like me, you're probably sick of trying to balance your camera on a rock or branch in order to use the self timer function. I tried using one of the UL tripods, but they were bulky in my hip belt pocket and in reality only raises the camera a few inches up. Plus, they added weight to my pack, and this was unacceptable!
I had seen some people using their trekking poles as a makeshift tripod, so I took a look at my trekking poles to see what I could do. I removed the foam circular section on the top of my pole. I machined a small piece of aluminum with a threaded hole in the center that fit nicely inside. I then punched a hole in the foam circular piece to allow the camera mount to extend through. I glued the camera mount into the hole and then glued the foam donut overtop. This left me with a 1/4-20 threaded hole in the bottom of my camera and a 1/4-20 threaded hole in the top of my trekking pole. I simply went to my local hardware store and picked up a 1/2" set screw which would allow me to mate the two. I now have an extendable height tripod for my camera that weighs almost nothing. This works by sticking the end of your trekking pole into the ground and screwing your camera on top. No more looking for level ground, rocks and whatnot to take photos!

Description: A camera mount machined from 6061-T6 aluminum which is bonded into my trekking pole handle. The camera mount is flush with the top surface of the handle and no noticable protrusion is felt during use. A 1/2" long set screw is required to mate the hole on the bottom of the camera to the hole on top of the trekking pole.

Weight: 0.06 oz (1.6 grams).

Notes: I realize that not everyone has the same capabilities with regards to equipment. If you want to make something like this and don't have access to a machine shop (specifically a lathe), think a little outside of the box and try using a washer and/or a nut for example. Take a browse through the hardware store and see if something fits right off the shelf.