When i'm traveling, i'm always carrying some type of compact camera with me. Whether this be a GoPro, a Sony RX100, Fuji X100s, or my latest favorite the Panasonic Lumix LX100.
The one thing I'm not a fan of is trying to find a pocket to place them, or having to wear camera straps. I decided that a camera holster would be ideal, but wanted to make sure I never left my camera behind on a table. So here's a little DIY idea I had, and managed to work with a local machine shop to get it made.
The camera actually 'docks' into a special belt hoster, but for safety (in case you miss your dock) there's an attaching rope. The rope works with a retractable coil that has enough force to prevent the Panasonic Lumix LX100 from hitting the ground (which is far heavier than a Sony RX100 or Gopro). If that's not enough, the rope is made from heavy duty Kevlar that is incredibly durable from wear and tear. Don't believe me? Check out this video (here).
With the strong pull-force of the coil it actually makes hand-held shooting more stable as it appears to add more weight or mass to the camera. Using a string to stabilize a camera is not a new concept, but what those other products lacked was a way to actually dock and hang the camera safely. This prototype unit has an integrated dock that locks the camera from falling as you walk or run.
The retractable cord is not just all show, it's functional as well as it helps guide the camera dock back into the cartridge. Without this you would have to turn your head to line up the camera dock. The pull-force literally pulls the camera towards the dock and with practice you can reattach your camera while blindfolded.
It's faster than any Rapid Strap, more compact, and will not swing around as you bend over. Of course right now it's only designed for small cameras, but that makes it perfect for my travels. It's not an actual product, but if there's interest from the community i'm sure something will come out of it. What do you guys think about something like this? Leave a comment below.
