Low-to-ground tripod?

[Jac@stafford.net]

What I like about reversing the column is that you don't need so much room to splay the legs out flat like with the Ries and risk jostling (or tripping over) them. If this is good or bad depends on the ground where you're shooting. Of course, it's also easier to drop your camera in the dirt when hanging from the bottom of the tripod

Ah, true! One feature of the later Technika is a tripod mount under the accessory shoe, but clumsy seems to prevail. I am evidence of such.

[Tin Can]

Tripods aren't good enough. With enough assistants here is the way to go.
http://www.deardorffcameras.com/dear...allery/16a.jpg

[MrFujicaman]

You could do like Irving Penn did in "Worlds in a Small Room". He had a heavy 10" steel plate with a tripod head mounted on it and 3 holes drilled thru it with screws with spike points to level it out.

[Sharon]

Thanks all! I think we've decided to try building something. Our thinking is two planks of wood in an "X" that can pivot around the centre (where the camera would be mounted), with height-adjustable feet at the end of each bit of the "X." We reckon this should be strong and adjustable without being too heavy.

Thanks again for your advice,
Sharon

[mstrickland]

Check these out.

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/Shop...round-Pod.html

[John Koehrer]

It's easier to level using three points rather than four. Use a triangle or square of plywood and three carriage bolt, head downward threaded into "T" nuts.