Tripod for low camera position

MarkL · Feb 1, 2007

I have a Zone VI tripod with a Bogen head (3047 I think it is) and haven't really used anything else. The problem with it, and maybe any tripod, is fine tuning camera height when setup for low-to-the-ground positions (like 1 foot off the ground). As you may know there is a rope/clamp arrangement that keeps the camera legs from totally splaying flat and it's very frustrating when you have to raise the camera a couple inches. Can anyone tell me of a tripod that better manages low camera positions?

Thanks!
Mark

big_ben_blue · Feb 1, 2007

I have used a Gitzo in the past, which had a regular column and an ultra short "stubby" for low work.
Some tripods do allow for reversing the middle column (Manfrotto, Gitzo,?); and one would mount the camera hanging from the underside of the tripod.

Nick Zentena · Feb 1, 2007

My Giottos 9180 goes very low. Doesn't even need a head. OTOH I've never used it with the LF that low so maybe I'm missing something.

IIRC B&H stocks the same model. Maybe you could wander over for a look.

And over course they don't make my model anymore

http://www.giottos.com/MT-3.htm

Those are the current ones. I guess outside of the different centre column they are similar to mine.

HerrBremerhaven · Feb 1, 2007

I have the 3047 head on some 3021N legs. Nice thing is that the center column can be flipped around. So for really low shots I can simply hang the camera upside-down. The usual thing with the 3021N legs is that they can be unlocked to go very far outwards, though it would require a short centre column in order to take advantage of that feature for really low shooting.

The other thing I looked into is Berlebach make a very short table tripod that will easily handle the weight of a 4x5 camera. This might be something else to get, and would certainly be light and easy to carry.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
Dead Link Removed

Lee Shively · Feb 1, 2007

Some Gitzos are available without a center column. My 1340 is configured this way and it will go as low as the height of the head plus camera.

Pinholemaster · Feb 1, 2007

Try this, it's better. I plan on purchasing one soon.

It's design specifically to be a ground pod.

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/pod/index.html

Happy shopping.

Mark_S · Feb 1, 2007

HerrBremerhaven said:
I have the 3047 head on some 3021N legs. Nice thing is that the center column can be flipped around. So for really low shots I can simply hang the camera upside-down.

I have a similar setup but with the 3001Pro legs - a couple of additional options - the 3001Pro, and I believe the 3021N allow you to mount the centre column parallel to the ground which also gives you a lot of flexibility in low camera positions. Also Bogen are making a new centre column for the camera which divides in 2 to allow for lower camera angles in the traditional camera-above-tripod-head position.

Dan Fromm · Feb 1, 2007

How low do you want to go?

Remember that in the lowest possible position the lens axis sits well above the camera's base; the camera's base sits on the tripod head; the tripod head sits on the levelling ball, if one is used; the levelling ball, if one is used, sits on the top of the platform; and the bottom of the platform sits on the ground. In the best of cases (no levelling ball) the lens' axis is going to be some distance above ground.

I used to have a Bogen 3021/Manfrotto 055, replaced it with a Berlebach 8023. With both tripods, when I absolutely positively must go as low as possible I invert the center post, hang the camera upside down with its top at ground level, and use front rise to lower the lens' optical axis as much as needed. This makes for very uncomfortable working, but if you really need low that's what you'll have to do.

WJC · Feb 1, 2007

RE: Low level tripod

Hi Mark,

RRS (Really Right Stuff) makes a high quality dedicated low level
ground pod. 1.9-16.9" range. I have one of their high quality and
well engineered ball heads and am looking at the ground pod for
macro use.

good shooting,

WJC

Sirius Glass · Feb 1, 2007

Check out http://www.amvona.com

Steve

fpjohn · Feb 1, 2007

Hello:

The Gitzo 222X series tripods can easily be configured with the head and camera at ground level.

yours
Frank

Maris · Feb 2, 2007

Instead of a low tripod and a belly-in-the-dirt viewing position behind a view camera I have used a front surface mirror from a overhead projector mounted at 45 degrees just in front of the lens. With this configuration the body of the camera points straight down and the ground glass faces up where it is easy to see. If you lower the mirror all the way to ground level you get a worms-eye view not really possible any other way.

Dan Fromm · Feb 2, 2007

Cute, Maris. How do you do fine focusing? Put a lab jack or the equivalent between camera and tripod head or tweak magnification slightly?

Maris · Feb 5, 2007

Using a 45 degree mirror for ultra-low worms-eye photographs requires focussing by moving the rear standard of the view camera. Moving the rear standard also changes the lens to film distance and therefore the magnification. In practice this was a small concern compared to applying some extreme camera movements in an attempt to use the Scheimpflug condition for laying a focus plane along a muddy forest floor populated by nice mushrooms.

It is also possible to focus by moving the whole camera/tripod combination in small increments to and from the subject. This can be slow and frustrating and I tried it at first but the local mosquitos told me to work faster.

MarkL · Feb 5, 2007

This looks excellent.

WJC said:
Hi Mark,

RRS (Really Right Stuff) makes a high quality dedicated low level
ground pod. 1.9-16.9" range. I have one of their high quality and
well engineered ball heads and am looking at the ground pod for
macro use.

good shooting,

WJC

Helen B · Feb 5, 2007

Maris said:
Instead of a low tripod and a belly-in-the-dirt viewing position behind a view camera I have used a front surface mirror from a overhead projector mounted at 45 degrees just in front of the lens. With this configuration the body of the camera points straight down and the ground glass faces up where it is easy to see. If you lower the mirror all the way to ground level you get a worms-eye view not really possible any other way.

You could also use a Schneider low angle prism, but that would cost you about $9,000 more than Maris' good scheme!

One more alternative, not necessarily any better than those already mentioned: Majestic (Bencher) tripods have an accessory side arm that can be mounted on the bottom end of the centre column.

I have one. It is a bit wobbly at full extent, but I normally use it about half way out - the head mount can be moved along the arm.

Best,
Helen

Tripod for low camera position

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