NikonGear'23
Gear Talk => Other => Topic started by: Snoogly on February 21, 2021, 00:08:20
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I have recently become addicted to looking at the ground, or near ground level, when I am out walking in the boonies, looking for ideal close-up photos. Not surprisingly it is hard to take sharp photos, as even a cm of movement throws things out of whack! So I would like to buy a lightweight 'travel' tripod with a center column that can be angled and inverted.
The BENRO FGP28C seemed (no longer available) an ideal candidate, but I am keen to hear about other recommendations.
Of course a table-top tripod might suffice, but if I am going to carry a tripod around with me, it may as well be a 'normal' one too!
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Central columns, even in normal position, are already not recommended, with regard to overall stability. I doubt, that in horizontal position, it gives good results. I would rather aim for a tripod where the angle of each pod can be adjusted.
Example with my TVC34L of Really Right Stuff, where you can go as low as 10 cm (and as high as 174 cm):
(https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/images/products/Spec%20Diagrams/Vera_34L.png)
Link: https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/images/products/Spec%20Diagrams/Vera_34L.png
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Centre column up is typically less stable.
I do use the centre column on one of my tripods reversed, i.e. straight down. This means having the camera upside down. It does get me closer to the ground than with the legs all the way spread and the camera in regular position.
Once something "leaves" the centre of the tripod, like hanging the column off to one side, everything becomes severely unstable.
YMMV
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This looks interesting.
https://www.3leggedthing.com/corey
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Get a tripod that can splay its legs fully out to 90 degrees or more, and no centre column. Even my larger Sachtler tripods can do that, as witnessed by this overview of an improvised field studio in the back of my car :)
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I recently bought a Leofoto Ranger RF-224C it is very light, no center column, so can go really low, approx 13cm to the Arca Swiss plate.
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Gitzo gt3541xls, no central column modified with bottom plate and an Arca Swiss monoball z ballhead.
Had i had the penge i would have gone for a Sachtler.
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Get a tripod that can splay its legs fully out to 90 degrees or more, and no centre column. Even my larger Sachtler tripods can do that, as witnessed by this overview of an improvised field studio in the back of my car :)
The quest for maximum entropy, I guess ;D
(https://www.gstatic.com/education/formulas2/355397047/fr/entropy.svg)
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I recommend a Feisol Tournament 3442 Rapid (no center column of course). I use it together with a Markins Q3 Emille ballhead
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For the low-level work, I assembled some easy-to-find photo accessories. From left to right: a small ball head (this is Sunwayfoto FB-28, but others like RRS BH-25 or Leofoto LH-25 will work), Manfrotto DADO kit consisting of the red ball, three double-sided 3/8" bolts and three (or six) rods, RRS 3/8" threaded shaft and three rubber feet compatible with the DADO rod or Gitzo series 1 tripods.
The second image shows how the above mentioned parts can be assembled. You can make the tripod even lower by using other threads on the red ball.
And the third image shows how the kit can be disassembled and packed into a small soft case designed for compact digital cameras. The red ball stays attached to the ballhead.
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Up until the pandemic (and I hope soon again) I have done a lot of world traveling, very light, with no checked baggage. Needless to say that makes photo equipment a problem, and I've long sought the most portable support possible to carry.
What I've taken on a number of occasions is a Promaster clamp. This comes in two sizes, of which I believe this is the larger. It is quite versatile, clamping to chair backs, railings, trees, etc., as well as serving as a table tripod. It's disadvantage is that the screws must be very very tight to keep from sagging. Right now it has an Arca Swiss clamp added, but I usually travel without pads on the camera and just screw it on.
Long ago when I actually did check a bag on a Hawaii honeymoon, I took the Linhof clamp. This has the advantage of size, and can be set up as a stable table tripod, as well as clamping, and has a screw whereby one an screw it into a tree or fencepost. The disadvantage is the large top, which is not readily adaptable to quick releases, and it's a little big for carry-on. I've seen others with smaller top pads. If you don't need to economize on space, this is well made and surprisingly stable. Used ones can be found here and there. The clamp is good and doesn't need to be overtightened.
Finally, not yet taken on a trip, is this little Braun clamp I just got for next to nothing. It is tiny, 35 grams, maximum 7 x 13 cm when flat. The ball head is tiny, and yet it clamps very securely, and allows table top stability easily. It also has a screw for attaching to a fence post or tree. This will likely go in the bag next time I travel.
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I usually air-travel with a cut-down Sachtler tripod. I have several of these cut to different sizes. The larger goes easily inside my checked luggage and the smaller might even be disassembled to be inside a large lady's purse. Like the other Sachtlers, they can be set up with legs splayed 90 degrees or more for a really low vantage point.
I do like Akira's approach -- a very cute mini-tripod there.
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If we regularly checked luggage, the decision would be much easier. I have a nifty little Sirui tripod that's light, and sturdy enough for most use, and it would easily go right into a checked bag. Or, if that didn't work, I could engineer or cut down something short and sturdy. Unfortunately, I live in rural Vermont, where no flight to anywhere can be begun without a connecting flight to somewhere else. That flight is often on a 9-seat puddle jumper to Boston. Other times it's a little jet from Burlington that may or may not leave on schedule, and rarely flies directly to anywhere without yet another connection. It's three legs to get from here to nearly anywhere just in the US. So, avoiding lost luggage is a challenge, and thus the search continues for a good camera support that takes no space and weighs nothing.
For many trips it's a challenge to figure out how to carry a DX camera and two lenses, much less a proper tripod.
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It'll be the purse, then.
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Thanks everyone - some really great ideas!!
Can I ask Akira where you obtained those parts? As I am in Tokyo, maybe I can buy from the same place.
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Manfrotto DADO kit is easily found at assorted photo stores. I just ordered a kit myself. I like the red ball :) thanks for the heads-up, Akira.
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I’m ordering mine now :-)
PS: I should done a better search before asking my initial question!
https://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?topic=7419.30
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Akira has earned himself a bonus :)
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I couldn't find Akira's lovely round feet though :-(
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Thanks everyone - some really great ideas!!
Can I ask Akira where you obtained those parts? As I am in Tokyo, maybe I can buy from the same place.
I purchased my DADO kit at Yodobashi Camera in Shinjuku. I think I bought Sunwayfoto ballhead online from B&H. The same ballhead is discontinued now, but Leofoto LH-25 can be had as outlet at Fujiya Camera in Nakano.
https://www.fujiya-camera.co.jp/shop/g/gC2120116904479/
I ordered the half-spherical feet and the 3/8" threaded studs directly from Really Right Stuff. The 3/8" stud can be tightened with a 3/16" hex wrench.
https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/ta-1-fb
https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/Stud-3-8-16-x-3-4-with-hex-socket-head
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I’m ordering mine now :-)
PS: I should done a better search before asking my initial question!
https://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?topic=7419.30
LOL! I was trying to find this very post of myself to link, but in vain. Thank you!
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Manfrotto DADO kit is easily found at assorted photo stores. I just ordered a kit myself. I like the red ball :) thanks for the heads-up, Akira.
You are welcome, Birna!
Sorry I should have mentioned that DADO is offered in two different kits: in addition to the red ball, the smaller kit has three double-sided studs and three rods, and the larger kit, six studs and six rods. I bought the larger kit on the premise of assembling a mini-quadrapod (its usage is depicted in the thread Snoogly found) and extending some of the rods.
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One thing to keep in mind is that the ballhead can never be set exactly perpendicular to the plane on which the assembled tripod is placed because of the relationships of the locations of the 3/8 threads on the red ball. But, in fact, the angle of the camera can be set more conveniently.
Also, the rubber of RRS half-spherical feet is much harder than that of genuine ones of Gitzo. I eventually replaced the feet of my Gitzo series three CF tripod with the compatible RRS ones:
https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/ta-3-fb
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I would rather go for this:
(https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/images/products/pocket-tripod.None_TFA-01%20Ultra_03.png?resizeid=9&resizeh=600&resizew=600)
or even more basic:
(https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/images/products/pocket-tripod.None_TFA-01%20Basic_02.png?resizeid=9&resizeh=600&resizew=600)
While still high load capacity. And for not more than 135 g.
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I would rather go for this:
OK, I found it...
Really Right Stuff TFA-01 Ultra Pocket Tripod (https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/pocket-tripod?quantity=1&custcol34=8&custcol35=12)
This TFA-01 Ultra is the first tripod shown in MFloyd's post above. There are several photos of the product showing how it can have it's legs splayed for ground level photography.
Dave
The RRS TFA-01 Ultra locks at three levels. Maybe a Novoflex MagicBalance Leveling Head (MBAL), Black would make a nice low profiles leveling device, lower than a ball head. Many leveling head offer up to 15 degrees of angle. Setting two legs low and one medium would offer more than 15 degrees if needed.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/4147-YulL7L.jpg)
Novoflex MagicBalance Leveling Head (MBAL) (https://products.bestreviews.com/p/novoflex-magicbalance-leveling-head-mbal?yb&cid=367466353&aid=1207264152277808&eid=&tid=kwd-75454287954426:loc-190&ul=79828&mt=p&n=s&d=c&dm=&dt&sn&adid=&k=novoflex%20magicbalance%20leveling&p=&pc=&ap=&chtrb=1&msclkid=77ee53c2a0bc1b70fef333f051ee2c63)
I'm not associate with Amazon in anyway. If I was I could afford a Focus Puller.
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I would rather go for this:
I've seen this RRS Pocket Tripod at a shop. It is very well and solidly made, unlike some similar cheapo ones. It should work nicely indoors, but I would doubt the usability for the low-level work in the nature.
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Novoflex has a couple of options in this category. Here is one of them.
Other options at https://www.novoflex.de/de/produkte/stativ-und-haltesysteme/mini-stative.html (https://www.novoflex.de/de/produkte/stativ-und-haltesysteme/mini-stative.html)
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Novoflex has a couple of options in this category. Here is one of them.
Other options at https://www.novoflex.de/de/produkte/stativ-und-haltesysteme/mini-stative.html (https://www.novoflex.de/de/produkte/stativ-und-haltesysteme/mini-stative.html)
Once you get this low I wonder if a bean bag, or an old sock, would suffice.
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I use the sunway T1A20D mini-tripod. It is pretty capable and small. I use it on the ground, hold it against walls or vertical surfaces, or place it on objects. It is also my mic stand for desktop video conferencing.
(https://www.sunwayfoto.com/upPic/131350763833420000.jpg)
(https://www.sunwayfoto.com/upPic/131350763880451250.jpg)
http://www.sunwayfoto.com/upPic/131350763880451250.jpg (http://www.sunwayfoto.com/upPic/131350763880451250.jpg)
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I use an FLM CP10--light, more stable than you might think, each leg independently adjustable: https://www.flmcanada.com/product/flm-cp10-tabletop-tripod/.
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A simple Joby could also be the answer?
Especially if you use lighter lenses like 50 - 150 mm macros.
Also if you have a hand on the camera while shooting the Joby can be a good support.
The advantage is that it is very light and easy to setup and can adapt to many uneven surfaces......
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Once you get this low I wonder if a bean bag, or an old sock, would suffice.
There's a bag for that:https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/Counter-Chest-Strap-Pods/ci/10834/N/4075788766?filters=fct_brand_name%3Avisual-departures (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/Counter-Chest-Strap-Pods/ci/10834/N/4075788766?filters=fct_brand_name%3Avisual-departures)
Unlike beans, they are unaffected by water(plastic bead stuffing) and unlike sand, they are not heavy.
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When I see something on or close to the ground that I want to photograph, more often than not it is small; therefore, I’ll make a close-up or perhaps a macro shot. If I elect to stack images in this scenario, I’ve found that I spend less time repairing the artifacts left by any/all of the stacking programs if I use the most rigid set-up that I’ve found.
The Sachtler DA 100 K (not available in carbon fiber) has proven, for me, a real asset.
It has no click stops that can force you to raise the tripod higher than you want. The legs will spread to a full 90 degrees, the spikes are functional at that angle.
This tripod is rigid. When I’m in a reasonably sheltered spot (out of, or able to effectively shield the set-up from the wind) and tolerably firm earth upon which to place the tripod is available I’ve used a Cambo Actus XL 35 (or Ultima ) with a D850 on the rear standard and a heavy lens on the front standard (6.5 to 8Kg). I’ve obtained high quality images without resort to a pentapod or other form of improved support.
If the tripod has been in the mud, slime or sand cleanup is quick and easy- remove the head (or flat plate) then rinse the bowl and legs clean under running water. In a pinch I’ve swirled the tripod in a pond.
Bob
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Thanks for your ideas everyone. They ranged from cheap and basic to eye-wateringly expensive!
But going back to my original question about a tripod that can be used both for normal use and macro use, close to the ground, I plumped for this one. Splay the legs for low level horizontal work, and invert the center column for looking down at 90 degrees. It’s the looking directly down functionality that I really wanted.
https://www.3leggedthing.com/corey
It ticks all the boxes! And it’s relatively cheap, after VAT was deducted.
But I also bought one of Akira’s red balls and some of his small black legs :-) They are just too charming to resist.
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When I see something on or close to the ground that I want to photograph, more often than not it is small; therefore, I’ll make a close-up or perhaps a macro shot. If I elect to stack images in this scenario, I’ve found that I spend less time repairing the artifacts left by any/all of the stacking programs if I use the most rigid set-up that I’ve found.
The Sachtler DA 100 K (not available in carbon fiber) has proven, for me, a real asset.
It has no click stops that can force you to raise the tripod higher than you want. The legs will spread to a full 90 degrees, the spikes are functional at that angle.
This tripod is rigid. When I’m in a reasonably sheltered spot (out of, or able to effectively shield the set-up from the wind) and tolerably firm earth upon which to place the tripod is available I’ve used a Cambo Actus XL 35 (or Ultima ) with a D850 on the rear standard and a heavy lens on the front standard (6.5 to 8Kg). I’ve obtained high quality images without resort to a pentapod or other form of improved support.
If the tripod has been in the mud, slime or sand cleanup is quick and easy- remove the head (or flat plate) then rinse the bowl and legs clean under running water. In a pinch I’ve swirled the tripod in a pond.
Bob
Very nice setup, the color combination is clean and very striking! Super product shot as well ;)
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Thanks for your ideas everyone. They ranged from cheap and basic to eye-wateringly expensive!
But going back to my original question about a tripod that can be used both for normal use and macro use, close to the ground, I plumped for this one. Splay the legs for low level horizontal work, and invert the center column for looking down at 90 degrees. It’s the looking directly down functionality that I really wanted.
https://www.3leggedthing.com/corey
It ticks all the boxes! And it’s relatively cheap, after VAT was deducted.
But I also bought one of Akira’s red balls and some of his small black legs :-) They are just too charming to resist.
Good to know you found the solution. Hope you enjoy your new rig!
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Snoogly- I'm glad that you've found something that will fell your requirements.
Erik- thanks for the comment on the image.
Bob
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At the right time, you can get one for peanuts.
I am a happy user of a Gitzo explorer tripod. Mine is the 4 section, series 2. For a regular tripod it is a compromise if you are over 5 feet tall.
For small, as close to ground, most contorted position, angle it anywhere, there is nothing like it. I never use it fully extended. It is the only tripod that actually fits on one of those silly backpack mounts.
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When I see something on or close to the ground that I want to photograph, more often than not it is small; therefore, I’ll make a close-up or perhaps a macro shot. If I elect to stack images in this scenario, I’ve found that I spend less time repairing the artifacts left by any/all of the stacking programs if I use the most rigid set-up that I’ve found.
The Sachtler DA 100 K (not available in carbon fiber) has proven, for me, a real asset.
It has no click stops that can force you to raise the tripod higher than you want. The legs will spread to a full 90 degrees, the spikes are functional at that angle.
This tripod is rigid. When I’m in a reasonably sheltered spot (out of, or able to effectively shield the set-up from the wind) and tolerably firm earth upon which to place the tripod is available I’ve used a Cambo Actus XL 35 (or Ultima ) with a D850 on the rear standard and a heavy lens on the front standard (6.5 to 8Kg). I’ve obtained high quality images without resort to a pentapod or other form of improved support.
If the tripod has been in the mud, slime or sand cleanup is quick and easy- remove the head (or flat plate) then rinse the bowl and legs clean under running water. In a pinch I’ve swirled the tripod in a pond.
Bob
Very nice setup. How do you fit the Burzynski head to the tripod?
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A big washer and a 3/8" bolt from below is the usual remedy. That is what I use with my Burzynski heads. In some cases it was possible to repurpose parts from flash setup for my old Nikonos. For near-ground work and on ice, I use cut-down Sachtlers fortified with additional spikes in stainless steel.
The Sacthlers work well under water, but it is important to rinse them thoroughly if used in sea water. Once in a while, add some protective oil to the screws as they will rust over time if the tripod is often submerged.
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My Burzynski head came with a short bolt.
Quick snap from the inside of the tripod (ENG 2 CF, 100mm bowl).
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This is the anchoring on my travel Sachtler to keep the Burzynski fixed rock solid to the tripod.
The spare part from my old Nikonos gear serves as the washer as well. The brushed aluminium doesn't being into water either.
I do have flatter setups on other Sachtlers, but the one here is easily taken apart when I put the tripod into airline luggage.
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Thanks Birna and Bruno. It seems to be a very sturdy solution!