Tripod with extrememly low minimum-height?

[Daniel_5275]

I have searched and searched and searched for the answer to my tripod question but the internet isn't the most helpful place when it comes to specialist LF equipment, it seems!

The style of my photogrpahy often relies on a very low viewpoint but is just not possible with my current centre-braced Manfrotto tripod coupled with the extra height of the head and monorail camera.

I am looking for a tripod which might have independant legs which can splay out, taking the minimum height as low as possible. I know such things exist but what about one which can take the weight of a Sinar F2, with lens etc and still be incredibly stable? The weight of the tripod is NOT a major concern, minimum height and stability IS.

Can anyone PLEASE help me??? Thank you.

[Ralph Barker]

Getting low with a monorail is tough with the usual tripod configuration. You might consider mounting your tripod head on the bottom of your center column, Dan, so it's hanging upside down. Alternatively, consider mounting the tripod head (or even the camera) directly onto a piece of 3/4" plywood.

[michael meyer]

how about a tripod with a reverible center column? i have a manfrotto that has splayable legs as well as a reversible center column. if i can't get low enough with the splayed legs because of the height with the monorail blocks and tripod mount, I just reverse the center column (so the tripod head is on the downward side of the center column) and i can put the camera virtually on the ground. my tripod is the manfrotto 1221, i think. it's not what you're looking for because it isn't always super stable unless i'm very careful--though a steadier head than i use could help. anyway, i think what you want is something with a reversible center column.

-m

[Louie Powell]

Dan -

Many years ago, I did a one-day workshop with a couple from Rochester, NY who specialize in nature photography. One of the subjects of discussion was low-angle tripods. Unfortunately, I have long-since lost my notes from that day, but I do have some recollections of the discussion.

1. Bogen (now Manfrotto) was identified as a brand that has some models that can be set up to work close to ground level. I think this is model specific. However, the instructors at the workshop muttered something about often finding "bogie parts" while photographing the field - they didn't have a lot of respect for that brand.

2. They instructors favored Gitzo.

3. Slik U212 has an interesting design that features independent adjustment of both leg length and angle. In addition, there is a camera attachment screw on one of the legs - the idea is that you transfer the head from its normal position at the "top" of the tripod to the screw on the leg - this can be as low as 6" above grade. The U212 is not the most rigid tripod around, but it's not bad.

4. Benbow also has and interesting design, and one of the guys in the workshop was using a Bimbo that day. It can be set up so that the bottom of the tripod head is almost at ground level, and it is pretty rigid.

5. I use a Tiltall with my Zone VI 4x5 and find it sufficiently rigid. The native design of the Tiltall does not allow it get any lower than about 2' from ground. However, I recall that the instructor in the workshop mentioned that it is possible to grind off the metal tabs that limit the angle of tiltall legs, thereby allowing them to open all the way to a 90 deg angle.

6. Finally, there are a number of "tabletop" tripods that you can use to get to a very low angle. The Berlebach 50031 is an example.

[Bob Salomon]

The Giotto's Universal aluminum or Universal Carbon Fiber have a column that can be tilted to any angle as well as legs that spread to any angle and rotate to any angle as well as a reversable center column. That means that by reversing the column you can make the top of your caamera touch the ground or, by spreading the legs and inclining the column the base of your tripod head can almost touch the ground. By removing the column and spreading the legs the base of the camera would be about 4" from the ground.

With Linhof tripods the column reverses and the legs can spread so you can again have the top of the camera touching the ground. Also modern Linhof tripods have a head attachment point on the bottom of one leg which lets you mount the head of the tripod within 3" of the ground.

The newest Giotto's professional Aluminum tripod have reverible columns and adjustable leg angles so again you can have the top of the camera touch the ground.

Many Berlebach tripods have spread legs and reversible columns as well as a short accessory column so the top of the camera can touch the ground.

Make sure you use a counter balancing weight with a view camera doing any of these spread leg maneuvers with a monorail for maximum stability and minimal vibration.

[David A. Goldfarb]

In addition to the options mentioned, there's the Majestic tripod with the sidearm.

Mounting the camera upside down from the center column is usually the easiest and most readily available option, but sometimes the legs get in the way and make it awkward.

[Ole Tjugen]

Stabil - www.stabil.nu - goes absolutely flat if that is needed. Even the little Macro can carry most LF cameras, I used mine with a Technika III 5x7" (8 kg with lens, 16 lb).

[Donald Brewster]

Benbo Tripods are designed specifically for this application. People either love them or hate them.

[Annie M.]

For shooting at ground level with a Sinar F I use a Manfrotto #55 legs with the #029 head. I
use only the top half of the center column reversed... (less protruding parts to get hung up on) when the rubber cap is removed from the bottom of the column it reveals 2 holes through which I slide a metal dowel, this serves two purposes... it functions as a convenient handle for small height adjustments and acts as a stop bar preventing the column from accidentally slipping and allowing the camera to hit the ground. I use a Norma rail mount on my F... the standard mount may be too long for this configuration..... in that case all you have to do is drill 2 new holes in the column and you will be good to go. I have found the Manfrotto to be stable and efficient to use... in the configuration I describe you can shoot from absolute zero to 18 inches measuring from the top of the standard.

Cheers, Annie

[Kevin Crisp]

What David said. The majestic tripod has a side arm which attaches to the bottom of the column, you then move the head over to the top of the sidearm and you can be at ground level. This is illustrated in one of the editions of Adams' The Camera. The old green majestics can be had in working condition for $150 to $175. In addition to having this feature, you would have a heavy but very sturdy tripod that can also go much taller than most.