Hike-able step stool?

[Darin Boville]

Has anyone discovered a step stool suitable for hiking and photography? Aside from driving a woody station wagon with a roof platform down the trail, what do you use to elevate your camera over the foreground brush? Seems there has to be a lightweight step stool or something similar that would do the trick. Three feet or so would do wonders...

Anyone have a solution?

--Darin

[Drew Bedo]

Hi Darin,

I haven't done any serious hiking for years, though back in the 70s I was pretty hardcore. I still have a first edition of Collen Fletcher's book.

My recollection is that on the trail and out there, the number of folks who carried around any kind of stool were few and far between. With modern materials and design there might be something light enough (22 oz to 36 oz?) to pack along and strong enough to stand on, but c'mon Darin; would YOU add another pound-and-a-half or two pounds?

In terms of raw backpacking: Two pounds is a quart of water or food for tomorrow.

In terms of LF photography: Two pounds is extra film and a changing bag, or another lens, a more regid tripod or head.

[Darin Boville]

Hey Drew,

But just think of the photographic possibilities that would open up if you could shoot from a more elevated position. Look at all those Ansel Adams photos! The elevated position is often very much part of the look! Given modern materials it would be cool to have a step stool of some sort, even if it was very expensive...

--Darin

[Drew Bedo]

Darin,

If you just gotta have it: Get a small CF tripod (legs only) and rig up a short board to screw onto the legs. Unless you have the stature of an NFL tackle, it should (probaby) hold you for short perids. This tripod can double as . . .well, as a tripod. . .for low-down support or for a short scramble.

Think that would work?

How high up do you want to get?

[Light Guru]

Has anyone discovered a step stool suitable for hiking and photography? Aside from driving a woody station wagon with a roof platform down the trail, what do you use to elevate your camera over the foreground brush? Seems there has to be a lightweight step stool or something similar that would do the trick. Three feet or so would do wonders...

Anyone have a solution?

--Darin

A step stool will give you a foot and a half. 3-4 feet is a small ladder.

With a small ladder for you to stand on plus a tripod that goes 3-4 feet taller then your normal tripod so that the camera is brought up to the same hight as you on the small ladder added to your normal photo gear your not going to wanna "hike" more then 100 yards.

[Jac@stafford.net]

Skywalker stilts

http://www.walltools.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/m/t/mtt-sw215_02.jpg

[vinny]

So you find a step stool to get YOU higher, what about the camera? I have a tripod that gets me to 11ft but it's useless without a ladder and a sherpa to carry it all:)

[Drew Bedo]

Darrin,

At first I thought you wanted something to backpack into the back-country.

I have looked at some of your website now. For the images in the urban setting, and the battlefield group too, a pull-along cart would work. There are threads here on this board with descriptions and ideas from LF photographers who have used, or modified and used, golf-bag carts or jogging strollers to carry their bulkily/heavy gear. Admittedly, this is not hiking or backpacking, and it will n only deal with areas that are wheel-chair accessible or nearly so.

Baby Jogger
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?90409-Adapted-baby-jogger-for-hauling-gear&highlight=Cart

Golf Bag Pull Cart
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104786-meet-my-LFPMD&highlight=Cart


If you give this option some thought, it will allow you to bring along about anything you want. It will constrict your options as to location (little true wilderness) but will get you the perspective you are looking for.

Imagine a household sized step ladder with a ball head screwed to the top platform. You might need to use tent stakes and rope to steady it . . . don't fall off.

[Jac@stafford.net]

Google "tactical ladder".
https://littlegiantladders.com/index.php/downloads/dl/file/id/11/tactical_manual.pdf

[Tin Can]

Got a warning on that site.

Their https is not certified.

I try to be careful...


Google "tactical ladder".
https://littlegiantladders.com/index.php/downloads/dl/file/id/11/tactical_manual.pdf

[Jac@stafford.net]

Typo in the address. I put in for a secure connection and there is none.
So use: http://littlegiantladders.com/index.php/downloads/dl/file/id/11/tactical_manual.pdf

[vinny]

Typo in the address. I put in for a secure connection and there is none.
So use: http://littlegiantladders.com/index.php/downloads/dl/file/id/11/tactical_manual.pdf

hike-able?
how far have you carried one of these from the car?

[Tin Can]

Looks good now. Nice ladder.

Hopefully I won't need anymore ladders, I have vertigo and looking up while on a ladder is a problem.

And to think I used to free climb...


Typo in the address. I put in for a secure connection and there is none.
So use: http://littlegiantladders.com/index.php/downloads/dl/file/id/11/tactical_manual.pdf

[Jim Andrada]

The Little Giant ladders are great - but boy are they heavy!.What about one of the elevated perches they sell to hunters?

[Drew Bedo]

hike-able?
how far have you carried one of these from the car?



Any more, I use a luggage dolly —and a cane, so I don't go too damn far from the car, but then, neither did Edward Westen.

Randome thought relating to the topic of the OP: Pelican makes a set of shoulder straps for some models of their hard cases. One could stand on a hard case from time-to-time.

[MMELVIS]

3 foot or taller listed in order of weight

7lbs
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-3-Step-Ladder-RV-Camper-Trailer-Motorhome-SRC-8-/261103426948

8lbs
http://www.lowes.com/pd_65500-50116-363_0__?productId=3376312&Ntt=werner+ladder&Ns=p_product_price|0

9.9 lbs
http://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-RM-HSP2-Lightweight-200-Pound-Capacity/dp/B0063QRL9S

[Eric James]

I have a two foot wooden ladder made by the Michigan Ladder company, model 110002. Mine weighs 7#10oz and I paid $22.99 at a hardware store in Pioneer CA on my way over the hill. I've found that the further I carry it, the less I'm likely to need it; and if I leave it behind in the truck, I'm sure to miss the shot.

[Jim Andrada]

I'd look into an orchard ladder - they're sort of like giant tripods with steps between two of the legs and they set up well amongst trees etc - but they're probably heavy. A regular four-footed ladder in the rough is bad news. as it will rock all over the place.

[Ari]

If you're NOT hiking, I would suggest using a wheeled Pelican case.
I can stand on mine if needed, and standing on it when the case is upright gives me 2-3 feet extra height.

[jp]

If your tripod is solid enough, perhaps a "tree stand stick ladder section" might be usable? Often available in 5' pieces at your local outdoorsy store or cabelas.

[Jim Andrada]

Found a link to orchard (tripod) ladders

Put a 3-way head on top and get your 16' height (don't think I'd carry one more than 100 yards from the car though unless I had a pack horse - a LONG pack horse)

http://www.stokesladders.com/products/ladder-orchard-aluminum-tripod.asp

[AtlantaTerry]

A while back I watched a film on Ansel Adams. He said he had pipes welded to the four corners of his "Woody" station wagon then a deck built over the top of the vehicle. That is how he was able to get his elevated point of view. (Of course, that means he had to be able to drive to the site.)

I was using a folding step stool (only one step up) and it collapsed under me while shooting on location. It was rated for 300 pounds. Yes, I'm a tub but not that heavy. :)

[Darin Boville]

I did end up buying one--a lightweight model I stumbled on at Costco. It is sitting right here as I write. It seems like it will serve my purpose--light enough to strap to a say pack if I like, not too bad to carry around. Wish it was carbon fiber etc etc but it was cheap and hopefully will work. If it doesn't hold up I'll have to just hire someone to carry it--cheaper than buying an uber-expensive model, I guess...

--Darin

[ROL]

Odd. I try very hard not to step on stool while hiking.

[gth]

Put wheels on one end of the ladder and handle extensions on the other. Strap your gear to the ladder and pull it behind you. And you don't have to carry it or your gear on your back.

/gth

[John Kasaian]

With a chain saw, any tree can become a stump of the proper altitude!
I recommend a Stihl 250MS

[Struan Gray]

If the camera needs to be more than two feet from a glacial erratic, it's not photogenic.