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back to article Camera pole puts you in the frame

It’s weird, it’s ever-so slightly ridiculous and it’s up to 94cm long. What is it? It’s the XShot handheld camera pole, which the manufacturer claims enables users to snap themselves in pictures or videos just by holding it out in-front. XShot said all digital compact cameras can be secured onto the pole, and taking pictures …

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  1. Ralph B

    Try again

    Well, you still have the big problem of framing the shot correctly. Even bigger now that every attempt involves collapsing the stick each time. Plus the camera angle errors will be exagerated over the longer distance (pole compared to arm).

    I guess you could put the display on the lens side, but it'd have to be a big and bright one to be usefully visible at the distance.

    Another option, I guess, would be to buy a second pole and put a mirror on it, to help you frame the shot using the display on the back of the camera.

    Finally a point to those Nordic Walking sticks!

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  2. Colin Jackson

    Eh

    Isn't that what walls are for?

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  3. Lloyd

    In the words of Mr T

    "I pity the fool!"

    Who on earth would buy this? You can't even see the photo you're taking!

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  4. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Not really new

    Pole photoragphy has been around for ages. There are even flickr groups dedicated to it. But none of these tiny pole, more like 20ft ones...

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  5. Brett Brennan

    Silly but a great idea

    As a former professional photog and instructor, my immediate thought at seeing this device was "why didn't I think of this?". It may be "silly", but getting yourself into a frame (along with your mates) is a key to adding the veracity of "being there" to an image. The only cameras I have that allow me to add myself at arm's length to an image are my old Minox "B" and my phone camera - not much of a choice really.

    In a more serious use note, this can also be used to get our camera above the crowd for tough shots (like capturing Junior's opening a big present at a birthday party, or getting a good shot at a "perp walk"). Add one of the new cameras that has an integral remote control shutter, and you've got an excellent pocket tool for getting those tough shots at press conferences, live events, etc.

    At US$25 this should be in every serious photographer's gadget bag.

    Where's me coat: I'm on my way to the camera store...

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  7. Clive Galway

    UK availability?

    Can anyone tell me where to get one in the UK?

    Looks like it would be great to use with a video camera for boardsports to get an on-board looking at the rider shot, carrying a stick around would be a pain but a collapsible one would be ideal!

    Bet they are like £25 over here though :(

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  8. jim

    Baby's eyes

    Why hasn't the baby got eye sun protection. Shame on you parents.

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  9. Neil

    Er,

    So it's a monopod? Hardly the newest invention I've ever heard of.

    What's next - the wheel?

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  10. Keith Turner

    Inna bun?

    Get your cameras here!

    Cameras on a stick, get 'em while they're fresh.

    Good to see CMOT Dibbler back so soon.

    erm, doesn't hand-holding at the end of a pole increase camera shake?

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  11. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Heh...

    Owners of the Nikon D2X are advised to steer clear unless they have exceptional wrist strength.

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  12. Steve Ives

    Did he use another one...

    in his other hand to take the photo of themselves using it?

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  13. Simon Gray

    Genius

    So, instead of asking a passer-by to take your picture and risk having a little rapscallion away with your camera or purposely take a useless photograph (sorry to whoever I've done that to) you get to look like a twat. Fantastic.

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  14. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Donkey

    "wonk"

    This is the most ridiculous thing I have seen since I last had a bath. It's the kind of thing Wile E Coyote might order from ACME. I envisage tourists putting their camera on the end of the pole, holding out the pole, and then, POOF!, a fleet-footed thief runs past, and the camera is gone. Leaving behind a small cloud of dust and some whizz lines.

    Anyway, the photographer's hand wobbles will be magnified so much that the camera will shake like mad. Perhaps it might be useful for flash photography. Or the porn business.

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  15. t3h

    Seen this before.

    Chindogu (the art of Japanese "un-useless" inventions) claims prior art on this one. I could have sworn I saw this exact same invention in a certain book I read years ago :)

    http://www.amazon.com/Bento-Unuseless-Japanese-Inventions-More/dp/customer-reviews/0393326764

    "* Self-portrait camera stick - a 57-cm telescoping pole which allows young and apparently shy couples to take pictures of themselves without having to bother passing strangers. The only sacrifice is the constant appearance of the pole in every shot. "

    OK, this one's longer, but same idea.

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  16. Roast Duck

    Re: Donkey

    what was the most ridiculous thing that u saw when u had a bath ??

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  17. Nick Ryan Silver badge

    45 degrees

    I suppose if you kept the angle of the pole to 45 degrees or steeper it wouldn't be too bad to use. Shame you'd pretty much have to take a series of photos in order to ensure that you had the damn thing pointed in the right direction for the shot in the one of them.

    Ah, paid for advertorials. Now where's the link to the bribe levels of the vulture?

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  18. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Monkey

    "what was the most ridiculous thing that u saw when u had a bath ??"

    The humour comes from what is not said - I could be talking about a silly shampoo bottle, or I could be talking about something rude. It's an ambiguous multiple entendre.

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  19. Lionel Goodwin

    Already available in UK

    You will find this at I want one of those dot com branded as Quik Pod. go to http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/searchSite.do?Query=camera+pole

    No I do not have one as I too noticed the problem potential of misdirection and camera shake.

    Lionel, Nottingham

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  20. Ole Juul

    That gives me an idea!

    Why not just carry a mirror around on a stick! That way you can get continuous satisfaction.

    I'm off to the patent office ...

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  21. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    @ Ole Juul

    Anti terrorist bods already use this to look for bombs under cars etc. & dentists use it to look for...... lots of money.

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  22. Roast Duck

    Re: Monkey

    ohh thank goodness its that ambiguous multiple entendre(sic) thing... for a moment i was wondering if u seen a mirror.. :)

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  23. Garry Mills

    Title

    Brett, so I hold this above my at a press conference with a Canon 1D and say a 35-350?

    Hope the person underneath is wearing a crash helmet

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