Near ground level photography with monorails?

[engl]

I have a 3/8" stud at the bottom of the center column of my tripod, works fairly well for getting shots all the way down to ground level. The legs can get in the way, but I haven't had problems working around that. No bouncy legs, and no risk of the camera falling over if you bump it.

Given the height between film/lens and tripod mount on many monorails, you might not have any other option if you want to get really low.

[Dan Fromm]

Given the height between film/lens and tripod mount on many monorails, you might not have any other option if you want to get really low.

Um, er, ah, I've mentioned this in other discussions. Camera vertical, lens pointing straight down, 45 degree mirror in front of the lens. There are mirror assemblies, e.g., the Spiratone Mirrotach (the version with a trapezoidal mirror).

With this kind of setup, putting the optical axis near ground level is easy. Focusing and composing are easy, no need to put ones' eyes near ground level. Putting the optical axis at ground level requires digging a hole ...

This is not conjecture. I have two Mirrotachs. Use one, keep the other against the evil day when I ruin the one I now use. They attach to the lens' filter threads through a Series VII adapter.

[jvuokko]

Thanks Dan! The mirror idea is very good. Perhaps not what I am looking for but it gave just some interesting ideas that requires 'frog perspective'.

On the second thought, perhaps it's just what I am looking for

[Dan Fromm]

Good luck, Jukka, and have fun. Don't forget, front-surface mirror only.

The Spiratone device I mentioned is very handy, much easier than making a mirror box. Look for one on ebay.com.

[Frank Petronio]

You guys are so dense that you avoid the common sense solution.

Dig a shallow trench in the ground, deep enough to set the monorail into. Wrap a plastic bag around your camera's base and set it in the trench. Focus and backfill.

[Steve M Hostetter]

Yeah Frank, I like that idea but now you need to carry a shovel

[Frank Petronio]

A garden trowel ;-)

[Struan Gray]

Good luck, Jukka, and have fun. Don't forget, front-surface mirror only.

The Spiratone device I mentioned is very handy, much easier than making a mirror box. Look for one on ebay.com.

Another option: the reversing prism from a graphics arts camera. Heavier and bulkier, but less prone to dust and scratches.

[engl]

Interesting idea with the 45 degree mirror (or prism), I might want to try that. Not just for getting low (or high!), but for not having to crawl on the ground to compose.

What about quality degradation when using a front surface mirror? And are not those very prone to scratches?

[Dan Fromm]

Interesting idea with the 45 degree mirror (or prism), I might want to try that. Not just for getting low (or high!), but for not having to crawl on the ground to compose.

What about quality degradation when using a front surface mirror? And are not those very prone to scratches?

I'm glad you got the idea that using a 45 degree mirror saves one from lying on the dirt and struggling to see the GG.

I haven't had scratch problems with mine yet. The mirror sits in a box, remember, and isn't exposed to fingers etc. I pack it and seal it against dust as best I can when not using it.