The best [or close to] tripod??

[wheelygirl]

I need a tripod fairly badly. Does anyone know of a tripod that someone who is about 3 feet [ a tiny abit more than a meter] tall can use? I use a wheel-chair and I'm approximately that height sitting in it. So, any links or 'direct' suggestions would be severely appreciated!!

 

[Sparky]

Hey - I have a cool idea... I don't know what your wheelchair is like - but google the term "manfrotto superclamp" - you could use your wheelchair as the tripod then...! Would be GREAT if you were using a TLR (or some other sort of top-viewing camera.

 

[John Koehrer]

In conjunction with the superclamp, also consider another manfrotto item the "magic arm" that would allow a lot of adjustment for you.

 

[jovo]

I need a tripod fairly badly. Does anyone know of a tripod that someone who is about 3 feet [ a tiny abit more than a meter] tall can use? I use a wheel-chair and I'm approximately that height sitting in it. So, any links or 'direct' suggestions would be severely appreciated!!

Well, the nice part for you is that many 'standard' tripods, which extend a good bit more than you need them to, will be extra rigid when partially collapsed for your needs. I think the Bogen/Manfrotto 3001 might be a good choice, but you've not stated what you intend to mount on it. Even so....it's a light, not too expensive, and very competent piece of equipment. Google Bogen/Manfrotto, B&H, Adorama, or other dealer for more info.

 

[arigram]

How heavy is the camera you are going to mount?
I immediately though of the super clamp (035) + Magic Arm (143RC) like the others, but other options are the Camera Suction Mount (241V), the Photo Clamp (296), and the Car Window Pod (243), which all depend on the design of your wheelchair ofcourse. The only one that mentions max weight in the Manfrotto catalog is the Camera Suction Mount which lists 3kg.
Also, if you are willing to drill holes, you can try the Table Support (355) or the Wall Support (356) for more permament attachment.
Maybe you could also use a Spreader-Dolly with a normal lightweight tripod. Maybe the Basic Dolly (127) with a 190 series tripod.

 

[Terence]

I'll second the Bogen "Magic Arm". It's a great piece of equipment, and will be much more convenient to use than a tripod.

If a tripod is an absolute must, look at one of the Bogen tripods where the center post can be put in horizontally so that you can get the viewfinder cantilevered closer to your eye. And make sure to get a tripod head that can tilt more then 90 degrees so you have some "play" for uneven ground.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

You might also look at the L.L. Rue Groofwin Pod and see if it might fit the design of your wheelchair (with the bulk of it outside the chair probably). This page also includes links to the Bogen Superclamp system--

http://www.rue.com/supports.html

There are also tripods designed for low-angle work that max out around 3 feet. Of course almost any tripod can be adjusted to this height, but there's no need to lug around a longer tripod than you can use. I've seen a nice short wooden tripod made by Wolf (similar in quality to Berlebach) in the used department at B&H--look at this page and go to model 8043S--max height is 95 cm. I'm not sure if they have a US distributor, but you could order one from Germany.

 

[resummerfield]

I would incorporate the wheel chair as part of the camera support. Others have mentioned the “super clamp” and “magic arm”, and similar items, and that would probably be the best approach. Or, you might have something fabricated especially for that particular wheel chair, making it an integral and permanent part of the wheel chair. I’m thinking about an aluminum arm with a camera mount, hinged to the wheel chair, that could be swung out when needed, with a single leg which extends to ground level for support. Very quick to set up, and no matter where you went, one could say “tripods are not permitted here”. Talk to a local metal fabricator.

 

[Sparky]

I would incorporate the wheel chair as part of the camera support. Others have mentioned the “super clamp” and “magic arm”, and similar items, and that would probably be the best approach. Or, you might have something fabricated especially for that particular wheel chair, making it an integral and permanent part of the wheel chair. I’m thinking about an aluminum arm with a camera mount, hinged to the wheel chair, that could be swung out when needed, with a single leg which extends to ground level for support. Very quick to set up, and no matter where you went, one could say “tripods are not permitted here”. Talk to a local metal fabricator.

That's precisely what the superclamp and magicarm do. It seems to me too expensive and redundant to go to a metal fabricator when such excellent pre-existing solutions are there. I would personally opt against the outrigger leg, as I think a wheelchair, especially WITH a person sitting in it, would already be MORE solid than the bulk of tripods out there. The only trick is to clamp it to a REALLY stable part of the chair.

 

[MattKing]

I've never had to rely on a wheelchair, so I may be incorrect on some of this.

It seems to me that a wheelchair with a person in it may be likely to move around a bit.

If so, a stationary tripod may be more effective than a clamp or arm added as an addition to your wheelchair.

The clamp or arm might be a convenient compromise - sort of the same benefit as you might get from a monopod.

Have you tried using a tripod lowered to a convenient height? Depending on how your chair is configured, and the flexibility that is available to you, you might have difficulty getting close enough to your camera when it is on a tripod - the legs can get in the way of your chair and vice versa. If that is a problem, you may need to look for a tripod that has legs that spread out less, although that can reduce the effectiveness of the tripod.

This is a perfect example, I think, of a situation where you need to try out something, before you buy. Do you have any friends who would let you try out a tripod?

Assuming that a tripod works for you, you may also want to consider issues like the size of the tripod, and how easily it might be carried on your chair.

Also be wary - there is a wide variety of controls and adjustments on tripods. Depending on your circumstances, you may find some much easier to adjust than others.

I too have some physical limitations (limited strength and dexterity in one hand), so I am particularly careful to make sure that the equipment I buy suits my needs.

With all this in mind, it is probably the case that the question you should ask yourself is not "what is the best tripod" but rather "what is the best tripod for me".

Good luck!

Matt

 

[Lee Hamiel]

First is a telescopic side arm that would mount on any tripod:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...106&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Next is a Benbo tripod that allows the center column to articulate similar to a sidearm:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...822&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Lastly a Manfrotto that also has the sidearm built in that you simply extend the column all the way up & then swing it over into a sidearm:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...953&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation


You could consider contacting Jeff Kirk at Kirk Photo to see about having a custom quick release mount made for your wheelchair that you could mount a ballhead & use QR plates.

Good Luck

 

[eclarke]

I have spent some time in a chair over the years due to a car wreck in my youth. Chairs are not as stable as many would think and much more compact, not many good places to clamp a tripod. I found that any of my tripods worked well and as someone else said they are very rigid when at short extension. If you are close to Phoenix, go to Photomark and choose a tripod that has the features you like for your photography. The newest Gitzo 6x carbon models are just great and would work well for you...EC

 

[Sparky]

It REALLY depends on what you're doing. For most of us, a tripod does not need to be absolutely STILL - but it does need to protect the camera from 'vibration' for 1/60th to half a second - for most work. It's really surprising just HOW good a result you can get handholding a camera and holding it against (or connecting it to) a much heavier object (my thinking is - a wheelchair would work pretty good for this - especially if you're sitting in it - and especially with the brakes on!). Anyway - before you spring for a tripod (which just seems incredibly awkward to use from a wheelchair) at least TRY a few, less expensive options. One of the first I might try might be just holding the camera against the wheelchair and really THINK about HOW and WHY a camera moves when it does (resulting in a ruined shot). Is the movement lateral? vertical? What's the nature of force against the camera when you fire the shutter? Can you get a better result supporting the side or the bottom? Well - anyway - that's what I would do.

 

[Mick Fagan]

I have spent nearly a year in a wheel chair, one of the things I had problems with was the inability to handle things away from the chair, either on a side or in front.

I have had a thought or two about this, one of the best things is to make it very light and very easy to have at hand.

Timber is light and strong, although metal can be stronger, it is seldom lighter for a given size.

It should be possible to have a horse shoe shaped piece made up (like a house step) which slides over slightly on the two sides of the chair. In the centre, or to one side, you could mount a ball joint with which your camera could be affixed by yourself easily and quickly.

I myself had this arrangement for eating food and/or writing, reading. The timber came apart into three pieces and was stored on the back of the foot extensions but above the small front wheels.

The lateral arm strength and upper body strength required to operate a tripod from a sitting position is very great, I find this the possible Achilles Heel in using a normal tripod. To say nothing of actually carrying around a tripod somehow on, under or over a wheel chair.

Mick.

 

[Sparky]

exactly my point. seems worth finding a creative solution. I guess the market wouldn't be QUITE big enough to develop something, eh?

 

[Charles Webb]

It has been necessary for me to use a wheelchair for several years now. I have found no way to operate a large format camera eaisly with the chair. A smaller camera Rollie, Hasselblad and Pentax 6x7 can be used with a good monopod if you can get far enough forward in the chair to allow operation.
I use a very old set of light weight clamps (Rowi) with reasonable success in clamping things to the arm. The problem with having something custom made is it will cost a fortune, and still not be what you really need. I also use the monopod with anything smaller than 4x5. Some one asked if there might be a market for such a device, well I am sure there are many folks teathered to a wheelchair would be interested, but I don't think very many 2will get rich by doing so. On my powerchair, I have a two inch pipe flange
bolted to the floor. I put it in an area that would be easy for me to get to but not interfere with stearing or vehicle operation. I use this by screwing a piece of 2 inch pipe of the proper height for me into the flange mounted on the floor. To attach the camera, I have a tripod head mounted on the top
of the pipe. Kind of like the old mono stands I used to use in studio work.
I can still get into and out of the thing without disassembly.

Hope my comments spark an idea!
Charlie..........................

 

[wheelygirl]

Hi to all!
Good ole "Wheelygirl" here! Thanks to all of those who commented within this topic!
At this moment in time, I'm keeping my Minolta steady by holding my arms close to my torso. There will be a time when I'll need a more stable 'structure'. I 've look into the Manfrotto Website and have come across a couple of tripods that may work. I, also, must consider how I will be toting the tripod--I use the Valley of the Sun [Phoenix area] transit system, and I use a backpack that slung onto the wheel-chair's back. I do pretty good, all things considered!
Any additional comments or ideas will be appreciated.
'Til later. . .

 

[John Koehrer]

WG
you really should consider the "Magic arm" from Bogen/Manfroto.
You would need:
1-super clamp
1-magic arm
1-camera platform
The super clamp could attach anywhere convenient on the chair
(arm/frame etc)
the magical arm fits into a socket on the clamp.
And the camera platform mounts onto th otheer end of the magical arm.

The nice thing about this outfit is that the arm & camera platform can both be removed by loosening one screw.
The arm can rotate and attain different angles because it's hinged in the middle. Total weight of mine is 3lbs 15oz. that's with a super clamp on
each end. The camera platform is lighter.
The length of each segment is 10" so total of 20" total length.

 

[wheelygirl]

Hiya one and all!
Abit of good news, first off: I'm finally finished with one of my final projects [my web-site]!!! So, fairly soon, I'll be up-loading quite a few of the images/photos i've got!! I will include the link to it, in the next couple of days.

Other info: for everyone's info--I don't usually use those armrests; for me they are more of a huge nuisance. Also, since I both propel myself about as well as weight-train, I 've fairly decent arm- and upper-body strength. So far, I do pretty o. k.

Please keep those suggestions coming!!

What I believe I will do, is ask my very favorite camera shop [Tempe Camera] about the availability of rental tripods.

Again, everyone take care. . .

 

[waynecrider]

Tempe rent tripods for sure, but if all your carrying is a 35mm (Minolta?) with some lenses you might as well buy something light and save the money. I've got a Slik Sprint Pro that I use for my 35mm and 6x6 cameras and although it's not heavy and especially rigid with larger cameras, with proper use I get sharp pictures at full extension. If you are using long telephoto lenses it might be another deal which would require a sufficient head. Seeing as you might be shortening the tripod, just about anything lighter should be stable enough for you. Mine only weights about 2lbs sans the RRS clamp. Btw, I have a little aluminum tripod that I will give you if interested, shipping included. I can send a picture if you would like to see it first. Just PM me.

 

[noseoil]

WG, try to use as many tripods as possible in a store setting. If you can find a decent sales person, one who will share enough time to be helpful, it will make your final choice a good one. Not sure about the height vs. spread for the legs to allow for easy use.

The suggestions made about a clamp setup are good ones, but see if you can't find someone in town who can set one up for you to use in a store setting, to make sure you get the best bang for the bucks you will spend. I like the idea of a fixture which is easy to use, small to transport and simple to attach as an idea, but finding one which works the first time is the problem. Having something manufactured is an expensive proposition. best, tim

 

[Paul.]

Hi WG,
A good freind of mine, a pro photographer and wheelchair user for 50+ years [ he is now 85 ] uses a Benbo series one, finding it the most easy for him to use and transport with the chair.

Regards Paul.

 

[Helen B]

I came across this thread rather late, having discovered it because Wheelygirl thanked the kind person who gave her a tripod. For future reference I thought that it might be worth commenting on something.

There are a lot of recommendations for a Manfrotto 'magic arm' here. Can I suggest that the very close relative of the magic arm, the friction arm, may be more appropriate in some cases? Instead of locking with a sprung lever, the friction arm locks with an easily gripped wheel. No spring. Some people find the magic arm to be a bit frisky. I've set up such a system on a friend's electric wheelchair. She was not at all keen on the magic arm but could use the friction arm. I've got loads of this kind of stuff (grip equipment), so trying different devices was easy. I prefer the friction arm over the magic arm for most purposes.

Best,
Helen