Iphone Tripod Adapter
This is an iphone tripod mount using the OtterBox Holster. See also https://www.instructables.com/id/iPhone-Tripod-Mount-from-OtterBox-Holster/. I use the iphone while working outside a lot and I needed a rugged case to protect it. I chose the OtterBox defender series. http://www.otterbox.com/defender-series-cases/defender-series-cases,default,sc.html It came with a holster which clamps to your belt for carrying. I use the holster all the time so I didn’t want to modify it so much that I couldn’t use it as a holster to carry the iphone. I also wanted to be able to take the iphone off of my hip, flip the camera over in the holster and put it directly on the tripod adapter.
Parts and Tools
This adapter can be made using parts available from you local Home Depot, Lowes, WalMart or ACE hardware store using tools that most people have. See parts picture. See Tools picture
Bend L-bracket and Attach Cross Bracket
Bend one end of the L-bracket at the junction of the other end at a 90 deg angle. I used 2 vicegrips for this. A bench vice will work even better.
Drill holes in the L-bracket to attach the cross bracket
Drill holes in the L-bracket to attach the cross bracket
The belt holder mechanism on the OtterBox holster was not able to grip the cross bracket tight enough so I attached Grip-it material to both sides of the cross bracket. I cut the Grip-it material the same size as the exposed cross bracket. I sprayed both sides of the cross bracket with spray glue and held the material in place for about 15 seconds.
Modify OtterBox Holster
I needed to modify the Otterbox holster so that I had access to the touch screen and so that the forward looking camera was not blocked by the Otterbox holster. To do this I drilled a 7/8 inch hole in the holster so that the camera and the flash were not blocked. I used a 7/8” spade bit with cutting ears and drilled part way through from one side and then drilled the rest of the way from the other side to make as smooth a cut as possible.
When the camera is mounted in the holster with the screen exposed the volume buttons come in contact with the holster and were inadvertently pressed by the holster. So, I drilled two holes in the side of the holster using a 5/16” bit to prevent that from happening and having to readjust the sound settings.
When the camera is mounted in the holster with the screen exposed the volume buttons come in contact with the holster and were inadvertently pressed by the holster. So, I drilled two holes in the side of the holster using a 5/16” bit to prevent that from happening and having to readjust the sound settings.
Uses  Stable Platform, Timelapse Photography
This is the adapter on a tripod holding the iphone in the OtterBox case. I have used this adapter whenever I need a stable platform. It is especially useful for timelapse photography which I have been experimenting with.