Seeking advice about a tripod ideal for low-level work

[Birna Rørslett]

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.

[Snoogly]

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

[Birna Rørslett]

Akira has earned himself a bonus

[Snoogly]

I couldn't find Akira's lovely round feet though :-(

[Akira]

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

[Akira]

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!

[Akira]

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.

[Akira]

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

[MFloyd]

I would rather go for this:



or even more basic:



While still high load capacity. And for not more than 135 g.

[David H. Hartman]

I would rather go for this:

OK, I found it...

Really Right Stuff TFA-01 Ultra Pocket Tripod

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.



Novoflex MagicBalance Leveling Head (MBAL)

I'm not associate with Amazon in anyway. If I was I could afford a Focus Puller.

[Akira]

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.

[Kim Pilegaard]

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

[Snoogly]

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

Once you get this low I wonder if a bean bag, or an old sock, would suffice.

[Jack Dahlgren]

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.





http://www.sunwayfoto.com/upPic/131350763880451250.jpg

[Ashlandish]

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/.