6 - 10 meter high tripod/platform

[roskav]

I've several jobs coming up which require a high vantage point to shoot over walls etc.  One job will be to just get a bird's eye view of a house (doesn't have to be straight above)

My question is does anyone have experience of a good tripod/mast that can carry a MFDB up to 10 meters high?

I know you can get pneumatic masts that attach to the back of a jeep, but the ones that are available here tend to be sold as complete systems and franchised to certain areas.  They might be the thing for me though as they go to 20m, but they look complicated to use when not attached to a vehicle.  I need to get in to tight locations for some of the shoots which would count that out. It seems as if they rely heavily on stays also.

My previous work at this level (!) has been done from either diesel or electrically powered platforms.  They have to be hired with an operator and can't get to uneven ground.  Also the diesel ones have bad vibrations which means slow shutter speeds are out.  Hiring them out also compromises the flexibility you need with the weather when you are shooting architecture.

So what I'm looking for is something I can keep in my studio for use perhaps 10 times during a year... I can operate the camera remotely .. so I don't have to be up there with it..

Any clues?  

Ros

[Colorado David]

You might want to look into renting a Genielift or other brand of battery powered hydraulic lift.  I can't sayfor sure that I spelled the name correctly.  I have used them to shoot static shots of aircraft.  As long as wind isn't a problem, they are totally still when not raising or lowering.  They are available in a variety of sizes to fit in confined areas, can be towed to a location, and can be secured with guys when in position.

[Thomas Krüger]

Manfrotto / Bogen has some quite high lightstands, this one goes up to 7,39 meters (240 Euro in Germany):
Manfrotto SUPER GIANT STAND BLACK LEVLEG
http://tinylink.com/?9YwrEJxbTV

[clawery]

Manfrotto / Bogen has some quite high lightstands, this one goes up to 7,39 meters (240 Euro in Germany):
Manfrotto SUPER GIANT STAND BLACK LEVLEG
http://tinylink.com/?9YwrEJxbTV
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Take a look and see if this will work for you:

[a href=\"http://www.photo-towers.com/]http://www.photo-towers.com/[/url]

Have a great weekend!

Chris Lawery
Sales Manager
Capture Integration
chris@captureintegration.com
www.CaptureIntegration.com

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[roskav]

Thanks for the replies... I really am looking for something I can keep and put in the boot of the car.  That light stand might be a nice cheap option... I tried photo-towers with an email and two phone calls but no answer so far.  I've reckoned on going just with the dslr for this type of work however.. with a remote capture and live view that might might make things easier.  For this I'm looking at getting a nice 24mm lens such as the zeiss but I was looking at the new 24mm pc lens for Nikon the other day in the shop.. I'm using a D3.. does anyone have experience of these lenses in comparison to each other yet?  ie zeiss with photoshop correction or plain pc on the nikon 24?

Ros


... still looking for someone who can sell me a nice tall tripod though!

[roskav]

... spoke to them today ... v helpful .. will let you all know how I get on

R

[nigeldh]

A balloon & fast shutter speed or a painting pole plus a Zigview from Argraph?

The Zigview S2 revolutionizes SLR photography with its detachable remote 2.5-inch LCD screen, video output, motion sensor, intervalometer shutter release, and more.
View & Shoot from up to 70 feet away (with optional cables)
Argraph site: www.adi-digital.com/Zigview/Zigview%20S2/Zigview%20S2%20Page.htm
I purchased mine through climaxdigital.com.

I have a Zigview but so far I have just used it as an extended live view/extended cable release. I haven't had the time to try its advanced capabilities like Motion Sensor Shutter Release so when a bird/subject moves into part of the scene, the camera will be triggered.

With the Zigview you could then use pole pruner poles or metal poles used for painting rollers since they collapse and can be extended by screwing sections together.
Do a search on "extendable painting pole" and you will get a lot of hits.
For example, in the States, www.roofrake.com, has 12 ft, 18 ft or 24 ft collapsible poles.
And be very sure to look up first to make sure that you will not contact any wires. A lot of folks have gotten a very unpleasant surprise when they failed to do so.