What tabletop tripod (or technique) for outdoor, ground-level photography?

[GeoBonsai]

Made some images at ground level with my new-to-me Nikon 10-24mm lens (yes!). Laid on my stomach to focus and compose the shots and had difficultly holding my camera steady. Couldn't get the compositions the way I wanted them.

Perhaps I should purchase a good tabletop tripod for outdoor, ground-level shots. I'm considering (1) Oben TT-100, (2) Slik Mini Pro II, and (3) Flexpod Flexible. Or, maybe I just need some tips and techniques on how to shoot at ground level.

What tabletop tripod (or technique) do you think would help me get good ground-level shots?

My Nikon D3300 dSLR with lens weighs about 2 pounds (900 grams).

Here's an example of a low-down image that is "low down", aesthetically speaking, which I think could have been better with improved tools or techniques:

Garin Regional Park, Hayward, California (taken on Nov. 7, 2014)
Nikon D3300 dSLR > Nikon 10-24mm lens > f/9 > 12mm > 1/320 sec > ISO 100

[tbob]

I don't like flimsy little tripods as an option for getting down low, although your gear is light and it may be an option. The problem for most larger tripods is the centre post. I did use a Manfrotto 190B because the centre post has the ability to flip sideways thus allowing you to get quite low with the legs flattened out. Plus it was a good all around tripod for most other uses. Buy one tripod that will do everything you want to do. Cheaper in the long run, less gear to carry and all the options are open when out in the field (if you are like me and have no good idea why you are out there but willing to take advantage of whatever comes up)

I have since gotten a tripod with no centre post because I needed a tripod that would withstand 60 km (40 mph) prairie winds with minimal shaking and still go flat. But this is an expensive option and is more of a vanity purchase than a necessity.

[mknittle]

(if you are like me and have no good idea why you are out there but willing to take advantage of whatever comes up)

I thought I was the only one that dose that.

[William W]

. . . images at ground level . . .Laid on my stomach to focus and compose the shots and had difficultly holding my camera steady. Couldn't get the compositions the way I wanted them.
Perhaps I should purchase a good tabletop tripod for outdoor, ground-level shots. I'm considering (1) Oben TT-100, (2) Slik Mini Pro II, and (3) Flexpod Flexible. Or, maybe I just need some tips and techniques on how to shoot at ground level.
What tabletop tripod (or technique) do you think would help me get good ground-level shots?
My Nikon D3300 dSLR with lens weighs about 2 pounds (900 grams)

I would NOT use ANY ‘Table Tripod’ for this task.

I suggest that you get a good quality tripod with a removable centre shaft and legs that can be FULLY splayed. Get a good heavy duty head – I tend to use a Pistol Grip much of the time. You might need an Angle Finder (see samples below).

Next DSLR Camera, consider getting one with a swivel LCD Screen and use Live View, if you want to do a lot of this type of work.

I use Manfrotto pods, plates, heads and releases: there are other brands that are equally robust and as good quality. I suggest that you buy into a quality tripod / monopod system; buy once and buy for a lifetime. Buy second hand if you like. I once got a very good deal on a few items from a Pawn Shop – the great thing about a tripod, head, monopod, plate . . . etc – it is really easy to “TEST” that piece of gear: if it doesn’t break when you swing on it - then it works OK.

Below is 5D with Battery Grip, two batteries and a 135L with hood – that’s a lot more than 900 grams.







To shoot the sample shot you have posted - I’d use the Centre Shaft and Camera inverted (the last image) - that is very stable and secure arrangement for Outdoor Field Work, Ground Level Viewpoint. I would also use a Remote Release and Mirror Up Technique.

If you want to lie prone; not use a tripod; and frame the shot through the viewfinder – then consider getting TWO very good quality SAND BAGS: get the type that are used in STAGE PRODUCTIONS or TV SETS and sandwich the camera between them – Bean bags are just ‘OK’, but the “beans” need to be heavy beans.

WW

[Donald]

Posting just to generally endorse what's written above.

Get a good tripod that, with the legs splayed, will let you get right down to ground level. I've got a Manfrotto 055CXPRO3. If you haven't got a camera with a swivel LCD on the back, investing in an Angle Finder, such as that shown in Bill's illustrations is, I think, a 'must do'. And then look out a very old pair of trousers/pants that it's okay to get very wet and muddy on a regular basis without attracting such sage advice as "They're disgusting. Throw them out", every time you come back home.

[Ken MT]

What about using a wheat bag. (I filled mine with lentils, as they pack down better). Some people use rice bought when they reach the destination. The disadvantage is that the bag should not get wet.

[William W]

. . .What about using a wheat bag. . .

1. Not heavy enough
2. Can induce mould

WW

[travelfinn]

Have the following equipment for those kind of shots. Gitzo explorer tripod the legs can be set at any angle and the center post can also be sset at any angle. Then instead of a ballhead use a Manfroto three way geared head easy to make minute adjustments. Still to make life simpler have the Camranger for adjusting everything except zoom. On my ipad can see my framing and then simple to readjust. Focusing also via ipad and all other adjustments except zoom.
When satisfied I take the picture review it on the ipad can review it at 100% and then decide what to change if needed.
Had the equipment for a year satisfied saved at alot of time and frustation. Cost a bit of money but really worth it.

[William W]

. . . I've got a Manfrotto 055CXPRO3.

Sorry for my omission.

For clarity, the tripod in my sample images is a Manfrotto 055PROB.

The tripod in my images belongs the same family as Donald's 055CXPRO3.

I have three tripods. But I used the sample images of my Manfrotto 055 Series Tripod because I think that something in that Manfrotto 055 family, (or similar), would be both a suitable and also a value for money purchase meet the tasks that you describe in your opening post and also a suitable tripod to use for many other tasks in your photography.

The carbon fibre model that Donald owns has some advantages: the lighter weight is obvious and that might be a consideration for you, especially if you hike or trek. The levelling bubble is of no consequent to me, 'cause I have one that I can use on my camera and I use it sometimes for hand held shots – BUT – please note that a bubble it is really a very useful tool to have on a Tripod.

WW

[Shadowman]

Nice effort, if you're carrying a camera bag that flat flap at the top of the bag makes a decent surface for relatively short exposures.

[ajohnw]

I recently bought a Bembo for this sort of thing but they might not be to all peoples tastes. Some thought is needed to arrange them otherwise the lot may fall over. i also happened on a hefty used UniLoc and bought it but doubt if it will be used much. These are fairly light for the degree of rigidity they offer though. Both types are very quick to adjust

I generally crouch and use the rear screen if I want to get down low. Of late as age increases I am beginning to to feel I aught to do 10 or so squats every night for a while. The main problem I find shooting like this is that the screens are often too dim to view well but I find I can usually see enough to frame shots and focus where I want to but often have to judge that. Makes me wonder why the screens can't be brightened as they can be on some compacts..

John
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[ajohnw]

There is a video on the Benbo here. It misses a couple of things. The camera can be put on either end of the centre pole and it can also be used as a monopod. One other claim to fame is that it can be set up on stairs easily. Mine weighs in at 3kg. The trecker is lighter but it may not be possible to put the camera on the weight hook end of the centre column on the latest model.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxNHauCqlhM

I'd be inclined to agree that they are rather well made. The leg locks seem to be 1/4 turn on all of them and tighten easily. May not be a good idea to over tighten this sort of arrangement as it must be some sort of cam..

John
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[DanK]

I'm in the camp that suggests getting a decent tripod (it doesn't have to be too expensive) and inverting the center shaft, like the shot below.

Tripods are very much a matter of personal taste; what works best for one person won't necessarily be good for the next. A lot of people look down their noses at center posts, but I find one essential for my work. I do a lot of macro, and a center post (either inverted or not) makes it possible to make small vertical adjustments to the camera position easily, without otherwise changing the camera's position. It is very hard to do that without a center post.

There are several advantages to inverting the post, compared to splaying the legs out all the way (assuming your tripod will do that). Inverting the post allows you to position the legs to get firm support, regardless of uneven terrain. It also allows you to put the camera at any height, and if you drop the camera to the ground, the lens is lower than it would be upright, with splayed legs. If the camera is upright, you don't have the height of the prism, but you have the height of the central fixture of the tripod and the head. If you have a tripod that has legs that splay all the way and an invertable center post, you can use either feature, but I never make use of the fact that my tripod's legs can lie virtually flat.

Re a geared head: you can do this with any head. I use a geared head for macro work at home but rarely carry it with me in the field because it weighs so much. The gear in the photo is an Oben carbon fiber tripod (BH store brand) with a relatively inexpensive, small Induro head, which I chose partly because I want to minimize the weight I lug.

[xpatUSA]

I would NOT use ANY ‘Table Tripod’ for this task.

+1 to that for serious work.

I suggest that you get a good quality tripod with a removable centre shaft and legs that can be FULLY splayed. Get a good heavy duty head – I tend to use a Pistol Grip much of the time. You might need an Angle Finder (see samples below).

FWIW, I went medium quality (i.e. cheapish): Giottos 'Silk Road' (= Chinese built) YTL8383, 3-section carbon fiber, splaying legs, tilt/inverting column, Giottos MH7001 ball-head + MH621 slide-type quick release. There is a long matching plate available that allows a good bit of camera adjustment back-and-forth.

I use old, heavy Sigma DSLRs mainly but I must admit that the Panasonic m43 Lumix DMC-GH1 is outstanding for quick hand-held ground-level or above eye-level work (large, swiveling LCD; stabilized lenses; x10 manual focus).

[rpcrowe]

I have this tiny Cullman tripod that gets me down close to the ground...



I purchased the tripod at a rummage sale for just a couple of U.S. Dollars (I don't remember just how much). It is relatively heavy duty (for its size) as indicated by this image of the center column extended all the way and supporting my 10D with 70-200mm f/4L IS lens attached. While I would not want to support my camera this way as a practice, it works fairly well.



The tripod weighs less than a pound and you can get an idea of its size by comparing the size of my hand in the first image...

Another way of supporting the camera at ground level is by using a bean bag. Although a conventional bean bag is made of cloth material and can get quite wet, I use "The Red Pod" which is fairly water resistant on the bottom. http://thepod.ca/red%20pod%20page.html
I purchased mine used for less than ten U.S. Dollars...

[jcuknz]

My choice awhile back was the SLIK8555 which appears to be the simplest of the range made by SLIK. Its only problem for me and I use it with a Panasonic GH2 and 14-140 lens which is not that light a rig is the inability to take a horizontal framed shot when it is held against a post or wall ... for this I made a simple 'L' bracket.

So if you are budget constrained and already have a big tripod I would suggest you go for the ecconomical SLIK

Like most tripods they work better if you do not use the centre column and of course I have a camera with a fully articulated LCD to help with low and high angle shots

Years ago when I knew I was going to take some shots of garden railway stock I made a monopod for my SLR by screwing a quarter whitworth thread into a short length of alumimium tube ... that was back in the days when I lay on the ground

[mrinmoyvk]

Why not try for a much cheaper option Joby-GorillaPod-SLR-Zoom-Flexible-Tripod
You can always go for much sturdy tripod but it will be heavy to carry and too much adjustments while fixing.
GorillaPod might even fit in your camera bag however it is not much sturdy. It should be more than enough for ground level shots as wind will not be a problem.

[ajohnw]

My choice awhile back was the SLIK8555 which appears to be the simplest of the range made by SLIK. Its only problem for me and I use it with a Panasonic GH2 and 14-140 lens which is not that light a rig is the inability to take a horizontal framed shot when it is held against a post or wall ... for this I made a simple 'L' bracket.

So if you are budget constrained and already have a big tripod I would suggest you go for the ecconomical SLIK

Like most tripods they work better if you do not use the centre column and of course I have a camera with a fully articulated LCD to help with low and high angle shots

Years ago when I knew I was going to take some shots of garden railway stock I made a monopod for my SLR by screwing a quarter whitworth thread into a short length of alumimium tube ... that was back in the days when I lay on the ground

I'd be inclined to agree with that. In fact I have used an old tubular tripod, cost a few quid for this sort of thing even for trying out star shots. If a tripod isn't extended much in height they all gain in rigidity now matter how light they are.

More recently I bought something that is more flexible in use after looking at one at Carmarthon Cameras

http://www.hahnel.ie/index.cfm?page=...id=143&pId=143

For what it is. comparable with certain well known Japanese travel tripods it well priced and comes with a decent ball head. The legs use collet type locks which are slow to use but on the other hand do lock them solidly. The centre column can be reversed and also extends. I'd guess the 3kg limit comes in with that extended as I can't say I am happy with that aspect when it's up. Mine lives under a seat in the car so is always available but as it's small and weighs 1.25 Kg in it's case it's relatively easy to carry if needed.

This sort of tripod needs some thought in use. Mainly when the legs are fully extended. It wouldn't be a good idea to splay the legs past the minimum setting so that the load on them remains essentially vertical. At least this one does have a sensible minimum leg splay. Some don't.. Always worth checking. Just set it up and press on the head and see if the legs bend.

May be of interest

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hahnel-Triad...ustomerReviews

John
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[ajohnw]

+1 to that for serious work.



FWIW, I went medium quality (i.e. cheapish): Giottos 'Silk Road' (= Chinese built) YTL8383, 3-section carbon fiber, splaying legs, tilt/inverting column, Giottos MH7001 ball-head + MH621 slide-type quick release. There is a long matching plate available that allows a good bit of camera adjustment back-and-forth.

I use old, heavy Sigma DSLRs mainly but I must admit that the Panasonic m43 Lumix DMC-GH1 is outstanding for quick hand-held ground-level or above eye-level work (large, swiveling LCD; stabilized lenses; x10 manual focus).

Cheapish Ted?

John
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[JohnRostron]

The original question was on 'ground level' photography. I have this problem when I photograph fungi. I solve it by putting the camera on the ground! Actually I put it onto a bit of bubble wrap, which gives me the option of rolling some up underneath the lens to point it at the fungus. I use a Sony A55 with an LCD that twists round to lie flat. My main problem is that, with two artificial knees, I cannot kneel. I use a Macroscope to view the LCD from waist level. I take the photo using an infrared remote release.

Here's one I took using this method: