How do you position your camera at heights?

[jing q]

So while reading through the tripod thread I posted...it made me wonder what you guys do when you need to get your camera up on a high level, and locked down (on a tripod or some other device)
For some jobs I've had to get boxes to prop up the tripod, there was one I used a tripod head on a C-stand to get up higher (not the most stable situation)
So far my current tripod only goes up to about 1.8metres, the largest I've seen is from Gitzo at 2.6metres.
I heard that a certain photographer (can't remember his name, he recently released a book on Beach photographs) has a custom tripod with a built in ladder (!!!) for his 8x10 camera.

I know that you can get a crane and whatnots but for normal situations where the most help you're going to get for height is a ladder, how do you guys  get around the height limitation???

[Dustbak]

I use autopoles, alu poles and superclamps. I have a RRS clamp mounted onto a superclamp. I attach the super clamp onto something that is sturdy enough or make a contraption from 2 autopoles and an Alu pole in between. Most of the time this is sturdy enough to do even multishots.

In the studio I use a Cambo UST (but I have to be careful not to run it over my toes ).

There are also tripods that go to several meters (thought Manfrotto) sofar I have never had the need to use one of those. Most of the time the Gitzo XLS is sufficient (or the hassle to get higher is not worth the effort).

[HarperPhotos]

Hello,

This is the camera platform I use in my studio.

If I need to go higher I'm fortunate to have a mezzanine which looks down on the car studio.

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfro...=68&child=3

Cheers

Simon

[snickgrr]

I shoot quite a few vineyards which need a camera above the vines.  My tripod, a Majestic, goes up to close to 8' but for those times I need to be higher I use a Sky High Triple Riser.  That's a heavy duty light stand from Matthews.  Because it's a junior, it accepts an 1 1/8" stud that I've been able to attach my geared head to.  With the head the height is about 16' which is higher than I normally need.  There is a bit of sway to it extended but if you let it settle down it works pretty well.

http://www.msegrip.com/mse.php?show=produc...oducts_ID=25041

In the studio of course the only way to go is with a studio stand.  I have a 9' and 12'.

[jing q]

I don't know why this is hidden away in the B&H website...but the largest tripod legs are the 5561 series which go up to 2.6m without centre column.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5484...tematic_6X.html
Very very tempting!!!

the autopole idea sounds interesting but logistically challenging...I wonder whether two lightstands+ bar across works.(not totally stable though)

[michele]

A while ago, a friend of mine bought during a workshop, here in Sardinia (Italy), a tripod from Manfrotto, it's 5 meters tall, it's pretty stable and you can mount also a view camera. Of course you need a wireless cable release to use the camera at 5 meters... I know for sure that there is also the 7 meters model, but it's not as stable as the 5 meters... The problem is that in the manfrotto website i can't find this tripod, but try to ask to your dealer... Perhaps it's a limited edition, but I don't guess so, that friend of mine paid for the trpod something about 500€...

[Dustbak]

I don't know why this is hidden away in the B&H website...but the largest tripod legs are the 5561 series which go up to 2.6m without centre column.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5484...tematic_6X.html
Very very tempting!!!

the autopole idea sounds interesting but logistically challenging...I wonder whether two lightstands+ bar across works.(not totally stable though)

You are right the 5 series even goes higher! If 2m6 is something you could live with I would definitely go that route. Put a nice head in the legs and it doesn't get much sturdier (not while being portable anyway). Have a look at this http://www.naturfotograf.com/burzynski.html. On the Gitzo the black ridge of the head ,on these images on top of the tripod (Sachtler), falls into the tripod giving it a lower position and much better construction. I have placed an image of that below (bit shaky but it is early and I have not yet had my coffee quotum)

I now remember why I got the 3 series. A combination of price, weight & size. I also rarely need to go higher than 2m and if I do I would like to go much higher which is why I knew about the Manfrottos.

The Autopoles are light and can be extended (not sure where the limit is, I had them to about 3m5). It would be a challenge to bring them when you are going light without other transport than your own legs

The light stands with a crossbar is something I sometimes use to attach lights & boxes. Not something I would trust my camera with.

[Don Libby]

I’ve been using a Gitzo GT5540LS which while it looks like it weighs a ton is rather lightweight considering.  This is the first tripod that with the addition of an Acratech leveling base and ballhead puts the camera just about at eye level and I stand 6’-9”.  The tripod is rock solid and doesn’t have a center post which was something I always took off in the past.

I’m using this setup for both my Cambo RS as well as the Phase 645.

don

[stewarthemley]

.. and I stand 6’-9”.
don

6'9" ?! I agree with every word you say.  

[roskav]

After a bit of asking around and getting some gear together, I happened upon a Manfrotto 269HDB-3U in my local dealer.  Very good value for a 7.3m tripod ... it has guy ropes supplied and has also some holes in the legs which can be pegged down.  The legs are also adjustable to get your perpendiculars... it also fits into the car nicely.  Here's a test pic in the studio 5m high using a D700 14-24 and a wireless transmitter.

Ros

PS realise that this is in MF Forum apols.

[jing q]

After a bit of asking around and getting some gear together, I happened upon a Manfrotto 269HDB-3U in my local dealer.  Very good value for a 7.3m tripod ... it has guy ropes supplied and has also some holes in the legs which can be pegged down.  The legs are also adjustable to get your perpendiculars... it also fits into the car nicely.  Here's a test pic in the studio 5m high using a D700 14-24 and a wireless transmitter.

Ros

PS realise that this is in MF Forum apols.

Weight   185 lb (83.91 kg)

 

Also, in a press release the price was $327 and at BH and Adorama they're listed as $619  
that's some markup! Granted the PR was in 2007 but still...inflation must be really bad  

[Christopher Arnoldi]

For Architecture and Landscape I often use my Landrover with a roof platform. The max. height is ca. 4 m, with my Manfrotto 161 Mk2.

Christopher

[TorbenEskerod]

I heard that a certain photographer (can't remember his name, he recently released a book on Beach photographs) has a custom tripod with a built in ladder (!!!) for his 8x10 camera.

Correct, his name is Massimo Vitali and he uses a custom made platform for his work.

Very interesting work indeed.

http://www.massimovitali.com/

[David WM]

I have found car rooftops not too god for stability, lets say the wind is blowing and you are doing long exposures. They are also very sensitive to you own body weight movements. But they can work if you an put the vehicle where you need it.

The last time I needed height , which was shooting from about 3- 4 metres,  I bought  a 3 metre ladder and with aluminium angle and ply I made a small platform which would hold the tripod.  Where I needed to shoot I could not bring any heavy gear like cherry pickers etc, and needed to change positions quicky.
I generally use the Manfrotto 058B which goes to around 2.4m. On the ladder stand I used a small tripod.  I also have found an extra ladder handy around the studio.  

David

For Architecture and Landscape I often use my Landrover with a roof platform. The max. height is ca. 4 m, with my Manfrotto 161 Mk2.

Christopher

[jjlphoto]

http://www.agnos.com/  

[Guy Mancuso]

Rent a cherry picker. A lot easier. LOL