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09/09/2011 05:57:09 PM · #1 |
Okay, here's the deal, I do a lot of photo-documentation for work, shots that are basically straight down on the floor. My current tripod (when pointed straight down) only works for smaller products and books as the tripod legs get in the way. Is there anything I can buy ΓΆ€“ a rig of some sort ΓΆ€“ where I can 'off-center' the camera to be able to shoot objects on the ground?
My current tripod is a slik 700DX, with a pan/tilt head.
If you have any questions, or I wasn't clear about anything, go ahead and ask.
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09/09/2011 06:08:48 PM · #2 |
My local camera store is carrying these (as well as Manfrotto) now, and they look very good. Your standard Manfrotto rig will let you flip the center column to horizontal, but this one allows incremental angles of flip...
R. |
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09/09/2011 07:21:41 PM · #3 |
First time I have used the Manforotto horizontal arm was on my Female portrait last week, and I can't tell you how much more comfortable it was just having the tripod with the column horizontal over the model rather than having to straddle her while shooting.
The camera was triggered by a remote trigger so I could move around adjusting lights and trigger the shot from wherever. I can see a lot of uses for the flip column. |
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09/09/2011 09:16:38 PM · #4 |
Is there any way to get more horizontal without having to purchase a completely new tripod? Are there any heads (prefer pan/tilt) that allow the center to move out more? I seriously only need like 3-6" to get full use of my camera frame (and then some).
In my head I can picture how one would attach a pivoting arm/counterweight to a tripod screw post, I don't know of any commercial products though (besides above tripods). |
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09/09/2011 09:24:02 PM · #5 |
Is that 3 to 6 inches (as written) or 3 to 6 feet (as implied)? If the latter, you'd need one hell of a stiff system to get out that far and not have the thing bouncing all over the place. Here's an idea: Two step ladders, a stiff board, and a clamp.
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09/09/2011 09:56:14 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
My local camera store is carrying these (as well as Manfrotto) now, and they look very good. Your standard Manfrotto rig will let you flip the center column to horizontal, but this one allows incremental angles of flip...
R. |
That looks great. I have wondered why my Manfrotto 055XPROB didn't have the adjustable angle feature as well. It's never really been an issue though because even when I use the center column horizontally I can still adjust my camera to the desired angle using my 3 way pan/tilt head (808RC-4).
Also with my Manfrotto (not sure if it's possible with all center columns) I can completely remove the center column and feed it up through the tripod legs the opposite way so the head and column point down towards the ground. With the legs extended I have ample room to place a good sized object and shoot need be. To shoot straight down I would of course have to adjust the pan/tilt head to bring the lens parallel to the ground and subject.
Even with the center column fed through the top I can extend it out and lower it to the horizontal position and then lower the legs to practically ground for low macro shoots or wide angle landscapes where I want some low foreground interest etc.
If Manfrotto would have worked the angled center column into this model it would be the most ideal tripod for my use. Not in the market for a new tripod anytime soon though. I am very happy with what I have.
Now, sometime down the line an additional panoramic head and/or a focusing rail would be great, but I have other priorities to consider right now, and no new toys for me in the foreseeable future until the economy and financial situation improve...a lot. :)
Dave
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09/09/2011 10:03:47 PM · #7 |
| If you want to go cheap, and of course slightly dangerous, you can always use PVC pipe as a lateral. Go to the hardware store and buy some nuts and bolts that fit your camera's mounting thread, and use them to mount a lateral with a weight on the backside to balance out the weight of your camera. It can be tippy, but so is any tripod with a lateral. |
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09/09/2011 10:11:29 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
If you want to go cheap, and of course slightly dangerous, you can always use PVC pipe as a lateral. Go to the hardware store and buy some nuts and bolts that fit your camera's mounting thread, and use them to mount a lateral with a weight on the backside to balance out the weight of your camera. It can be tippy, but so is any tripod with a lateral. |
I was going to say that any tripod can tip when the center column is lateral and then finished reading your post. LOL.
When I shoot with the center column horizontally I have two of the legs a little shorter and/or have them at a shallower angle to counter balance center column. I can still adjust the head to get the right angle to the ground etc. I never let go of the tripod until rock it back an forth slightly to make sure it's balanced and not going anywhere. Of course you can always carry the sand bags they sell for light stands or bring empty bags to fill with rocks or water need be.
Dave |
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09/09/2011 11:01:31 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by kirbic:
Is that 3 to 6 inches (as written) or 3 to 6 feet (as implied)? If the latter, you'd need one hell of a stiff system to get out that far and not have the thing bouncing all over the place. Here's an idea: Two step ladders, a stiff board, and a clamp. |
It was unclear, you caught both parts of it. For my current needs, a few inches would be fine. For my imagined "needs" I pictured a rail system with clamps, and a swivel head, and a .... :D
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I think I might try a ghetto rig with some PVC, that may just work.
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I can adjust my legs to near ground level as well, but I'm shooting products (books) placed flat on the ground, similar to this shot:
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09/09/2011 11:06:26 PM · #10 |
| If you are shooting similar sized items why not just skip the tripod and make up a light box out of pvc with a center arm that holds your camera? It would be much more stable. |
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