Raising your vantage point

[Larry Gebhardt]

I'm looking for ideas on how to get the camera up higher than my eye height when I'm standing on the ground.

When I had my truck I have stood at various times in the bed or on the cap. Both have worked ok, but it wasn't the most stable platform for longer exposures. Plus I sold the truck. But it was about the height I'm aiming for, which is placing the camera 8 to 12 feet off the ground.

I imagine I can find a tall tripod and carry a step ladder in the car. I've also considered a taller ladder and placing a tripod head on the top step, but I'm concerned about stability with me also standing on the camera platform.

Ideally anything should be easy to transport and setup. But I don't expect to hike with this setup. It's more to get a better vantage point over obstacles such as cars and crowds.

So let's hear your ingenious ideas. Preferably ideas backed up with experience.

[mdarnton]

This one's missing some critical bits (mainly the crank for the elevator) but I used to have one. It was incredibly stiff and sturdy, very easily took 4x5, probably would have been fine with 5x7 and maybe even 8x10, and as far as height . . . . check out the last two photos in the ad:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Soligor...item43bdf79c6d

They come up often on Ebay. Here's another, complete:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Vintage...item3a9e4307a4

They're less stiff at full height, but you probably won't use it up there that often. Lower down it's the toughest, least elegant tripod I've ever used. If you get one, be sure it has the 3-way head.

[lenser]

Majestic makes one that easily elevates to 9 feet, maybe more.....I never measured mine. Relatively light and quite sturdy. Can handle anything up to and beyond 8x10. It has a double column with a very strong crank system that can elevate the full camera weight with ease. Found mine at a garage sale and have seen many on ebay.

[Old-N-Feeble]

I've considered using an A-frame ladder with a Manfrotto Magic Arm attached to the tripod socket of the camera plus one or two others attached to the camera to stabilize it further. How practical that is I don't know. I haven't tried it.

[C. D. Keth]

Tripod heads attach with 3/8-16 screws. You could very easily just bolt your head to a ladder.

[Bill_1856]

St. Ansel's most important contribution to photography was the Car Platform, not the Zone System.

[Larry Gebhardt]

This one's missing some critical bits (mainly the crank for the elevator) but I used to have one. It was incredibly stiff and sturdy, very easily took 4x5, probably would have been fine with 5x7 and maybe even 8x10, and as far as height . . . . check out the last two photos in the ad:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Soligor...item43bdf79c6d

They come up often on Ebay. Here's another, complete:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Vintage...item3a9e4307a4

They're less stiff at full height, but you probably won't use it up there that often. Lower down it's the toughest, least elegant tripod I've ever used. If you get one, be sure it has the 3-way head.

Thanks, I didn't know that model existed. It looks decent and would probably be high enough for my uses, though I worry about stability with the column extended.

[Larry Gebhardt]

Majestic makes one that easily elevates to 9 feet, maybe more.....I never measured mine. Relatively light and quite sturdy. Can handle anything up to and beyond 8x10. It has a double column with a very strong crank system that can elevate the full camera weight with ease. Found mine at a garage sale and have seen many on ebay.

Do you know the model number that reaches 9 feet? Most I've found don't go that high.

[Larry Gebhardt]

Tripod heads attach with 3/8-16 screws. You could very easily just bolt your head to a ladder.

Have you tried this? Are there issues with being on the ladder that's also holding the camera. I worry about moving the ladder during a couple second exposure.

[Richard Wasserman]

Why do you need to be on the ladder? Get a long pneumatic release and you're in business. I've think an A Frame ladder should work well for this, if you have a vehicle large enough to transport the ladder.

Have you tried this? Are there issues with being on the ladder that's also holding the camera. I worry about moving the ladder during a couple second exposure.