A question to all photographers (please look)...

[machineman9]

I am starting my A level design technology project this week and I am coming up for ideas of things to make. The best 'topic' of work I could think of was photography.

So I'm just generally asking... If you could have a product made to aid your photography (from a handheld stand to a motorised camera base), what would you like to see made? If you've ever gone out shooting and just thought 'if only I had this', what would it be?

I can make prototypes, but due to time restrictions I don't think I will want to design an entirely new camera (though I could do so and have it count as a product) so maybe just attachments.

I hope it's alright to ask this here. I'd like as much input as I can please.

Materials are mostly restricted to plastics and woods. Textiles are available and other common supplies (and electronics) are also available, but I have just started my electronics course so nothing too too complex if you don't mind.


Cheers.

[beaky]

This is a serious challenge- just about everything has already been thought of for photographers, and those of us who are often wishing for this or that simply can't afford every gizmo that we'd like. There's tons of improvement and refining going on, but I can't think of any photography aid

[expat]

Affordable quality lenses..............you did ask

Matt

[machineman9]

Well Expat, I could spin up the lathe and a block of acrylic and see what comes out. You'd have a quality lens, but it wouldn't be good quality!

The idea doesn't have to be totally unique. It could be merging two concepts (such as a tripod with a built in spirit level and battery pack for your camera). Or it could be a better version of something already out there. So if you've ever thought that something wasn't very comfy to use or that it has flaws, this subject is about fixing them and making something better.

[Steve M]

My Pentax Optio has a small, moveable LCD screen for a view finder. On very bright days I cannot see what I'm shooting. These cameras were sold with a plastic "box" that snap around the screen to block light. The "box" was a pain to carry around and I have already proven that they are easy to misplace.
Just some food for thought.

[Hagar]

My Pentax Optio has a small, moveable LCD screen for a view finder. On very bright days I cannot see what I'm shooting. These cameras were sold with a plastic "box" that snap around the screen to block light. The "box" was a pain to carry around and I have already proven that they are easy to misplace.
Just some food for thought.

Now that's a darned good idea. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Not many compact cameras have an optical viewfinder these days & it's difficult to compose shots on those LCD screens. If you could devise a collapsible clip-on hood to convert the LCD screen on a typical compact into a viewfinder I would buy it. At a reasonable price of course.

[theonecalled]

My Pentax Optio has a small, moveable LCD screen for a view finder. On very bright days I cannot see what I'm shooting. These cameras were sold with a plastic "box" that snap around the screen to block light. The "box" was a pain to carry around and I have already proven that they are easy to misplace.
Just some food for thought.

Now that's a darned good idea. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Not many compact cameras have an optical viewfinder these days & it's difficult to compose shots on those LCD screens. If you could devise a collapsible clip-on hood to convert the LCD screen on a typical compact into a viewfinder I would buy it. At a reasonable price of course.

Can actually get them, there made by delkin devices.... How about a pop up shade with a small light included into it?

[machineman9]

Hmm it is certainly an idea to go with.

I initially had the idea (perhaps more for electronics) of making a shutter speed, ISO, aperture or whatever device to suggest the right settings. But I can't quite figure how to convert my knowledge of photography and human judgement into a circuit board. I might still be able to do something like the ISO and shutter bit, but I don't know any of the maths that goes into it... I just do it.

I'll keep that viewfinder idea a possibility. I've been all through Jessops looking for stuff which I like but could be improved... I ended up just staring at expensive cameras and lenses though, lol.

[Hagar]

My Pentax Optio has a small, moveable LCD screen for a view finder. On very bright days I cannot see what I'm shooting. These cameras were sold with a plastic "box" that snap around the screen to block light. The "box" was a pain to carry around and I have already proven that they are easy to misplace.
Just some food for thought.

Now that's a darned good idea. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Not many compact cameras have an optical viewfinder these days & it's difficult to compose shots on those LCD screens. If you could devise a collapsible clip-on hood to convert the LCD screen on a typical compact into a viewfinder I would buy it. At a reasonable price of course.

Can actually get them, there made by delkin devices.... How about a pop up shade with a small light included into it?

So you can. This is exactly what I was thinking of. http://www.delkin.com/products/popupshades/mini/

So much for that idea. Looks like they've got most things covered.

[skoker]

How about a tripod that always keeps your camera level no matter the terrain.  I've had the idea forever but never got the chance to build the darn thing.

[theonecalled]

My Pentax Optio has a small, moveable LCD screen for a view finder. On very bright days I cannot see what I'm shooting. These cameras were sold with a plastic "box" that snap around the screen to block light. The "box" was a pain to carry around and I have already proven that they are easy to misplace.
Just some food for thought.

Now that's a darned good idea. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Not many compact cameras have an optical viewfinder these days & it's difficult to compose shots on those LCD screens. If you could devise a collapsible clip-on hood to convert the LCD screen on a typical compact into a viewfinder I would buy it. At a reasonable price of course.

Can actually get them, there made by delkin devices.... How about a pop up shade with a small light included into it?

So you can. This is exactly what I was thinking of. http://www.delkin.com/products/popupshades/mini/

So much for that idea. Looks like they've got most things covered.

Just passed another idea over to Him via instant messenger, could possibly be done but with a lot of research etc.....

[machineman9]

Well as I say... The creation does NOT have to be unique. It can improve existing designs or otherwise modify them. I think making anything unique these days is quite hard.

Keeping the camera always level? Hmmm. It might be feasable. Or maybe some kind of anti-shake device for a tripod. I'm sure wind ruins quite a lot of photos, especially with a long shutter speed. So maybe some sort of wind barrier/shake resistant tripod so that hopefully little to no environmental effects get to the camera to ruin that 20 second photo. Would you buy that?

[Steve M]

My Pentax Optio has a small, moveable LCD screen for a view finder. On very bright days I cannot see what I'm shooting. These cameras were sold with a plastic "box" that snap around the screen to block light. The "box" was a pain to carry around and I have already proven that they are easy to misplace.
Just some food for thought.

Now that's a darned good idea. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Not many compact cameras have an optical viewfinder these days & it's difficult to compose shots on those LCD screens. If you could devise a collapsible clip-on hood to convert the LCD screen on a typical compact into a viewfinder I would buy it. At a reasonable price of course.

Can actually get them, there made by delkin devices.... How about a pop up shade with a small light included into it?

So you can. This is exactly what I was thinking of. http://www.delkin.com/products/popupshades/mini/

So much for that idea. Looks like they've got most things covered.

Well, there you go. 1% inspiration/99% perspiration is becoming obsolete. I will order one of those, thanks.

[Mictheslik]

A cheap one of these?

.mic

[machineman9]

A shoulder mounted camera holder? It is a possibility.

Of course I still love THIS as an idea haha.