Tripod Question

Mike wrote

> Does a tripod have a special name that can extend its legs out in a wide
> circle keeping the camera low

I use a Slik and they call it a Leg Angle Lock. It allows you
to step the leg angle out in increments, lowering the hight of
the head. What you don't want is a Centre-stayed tripod.
You need independant legs. Also watch out for the central
column, which can restrict how low to the ground you can get.
Slik get by this by allowing the bottom half of the column to
be unscrewed. You may also find an Anglefinder indepespensible
in low angle shooting.

Chris
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Chris Gilbert wrote:
> Mike wrote
>
>
>>Does a tripod have a special name that can extend its legs out in a wide
>>circle keeping the camera low
>
>
> I use a Slik and they call it a Leg Angle Lock. It allows you
> to step the leg angle out in increments, lowering the hight of
> the head. What you don't want is a Centre-stayed tripod.
> You need independant legs. Also watch out for the central
> column, which can restrict how low to the ground you can get.
> Slik get by this by allowing the bottom half of the column to
> be unscrewed. You may also find an Anglefinder indepespensible
> in low angle shooting.
>
> Chris
>
>
Chris makes several good point. I too would recommend an anglefinder
for low level work. I use a Bogen 3021Pro, the center column can be
unscrewed leaving a short stubby portion that allows the whole setup to
get very low. When looking through tripod specs, look for the minimum
height. If I had it to do again, I would probably go for the
carbon/magnesium model, some for weight reduction but mainly for
vibration dampening. You may also find that a ball head or a geared
head might be easier to adjust with the tripod at a very low level. I
found that handles of a 3 way pan-tilt when the tripod was very low
would occasionaly be interfering with the ground or the tripod legs.

JD
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"Mike" <love.DeleteThis@suite224.net> wrote in message
news:45ab97c8$0$15153$e656108c@news.suite224.net...
> Guys
>
> Does a tripod have a special name that can extend its legs out in a wide
> circle keeping the camera low as opposed to holding the camera at 4 or 5
> feet in the air? What I am looking for is a tripod I can take
> birdwatching on the coast and get down to shore bird level without taking
> my camera for a swim
>
> Thanks in advance
>
>
> Mike
Hi.

Have a look at Benbo Tripods.

This sort of thing is exactly what they are designed for.

BTW I don't own one, I don't need that sort of function for my Photography.

Roy G
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Mike <love.TakeThisOut@suite224.net> wrote:

> Guys
>
> Does a tripod have a special name that can extend its legs out in a wide
> circle keeping the camera low as opposed to holding the camera at 4 or 5
> feet in the air? What I am looking for is a tripod I can take
> birdwatching on the coast and get down to shore bird level without taking
> my camera for a swim
>
> Thanks in advance

There are tripods built especially for this kind of scenario, such as
this: <http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/pod/index.html> But there are
cheaper options available. I have two Manfrotto tripods that have a
removable center column, one with a bracket that holds the center column
horizontal.

It's just a question of going to a camera store and seeing what the
options are.
 >> Stay informed about: Tripod Question 

if you want to save a few dollars watch for a used older tripod many
of them allowed you too unscrew the head and reattach it at the bottom of
the column

I use one for macro work

YMMV


"Mike" <love.DeleteThis@suite224.net> wrote in message
news:45ab97c8$0$15153$e656108c@news.suite224.net...
> Guys
>
> Does a tripod have a special name that can extend its legs out in a wide
> circle keeping the camera low as opposed to holding the camera at 4 or 5
> feet in the air? What I am looking for is a tripod I can take
birdwatching
> on the coast and get down to shore bird level without taking my camera for
a
> swim
>
> Thanks in advance
>
>
> Mike
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Tripod Question 

JD wrote

> You may also find that a ball head or a geared head might be easier to
> adjust with the tripod at a very low level.

Good idea. Thanks.

Chris
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Mike wrote:
> Guys
>
> Does a tripod have a special name that can extend its legs out in a wide
> circle keeping the camera low as opposed to holding the camera at 4 or 5
> feet in the air? What I am looking for is a tripod I can take birdwatching
> on the coast and get down to shore bird level without taking my camera for a
> swim

Tripods with "reversible columns" might also interest you.

Anyway...

http://www.patersonphotographic.com/tripods/benbo.html
http://www.ukray.com/uniloc/system.htm

BugBear
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On Mon, 15 Jan 2007 10:04:09 -0500, Mike wrote:

> Guys
>
> Does a tripod have a special name that can extend its legs out in a wide
> circle keeping the camera low as opposed to holding the camera at 4 or 5
> feet in the air? What I am looking for is a tripod I can take birdwatching
> on the coast and get down to shore bird level without taking my camera for a
> swim

I don't know that there is a specific name for that type, but Manfrotto
makes several of them, some of which also allow the center post to be
reversed or mounted horizontally, giving you a tremendous degree of
versatility.

> Thanks in advance
>
>
> Mike

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
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"Mike" <love DeleteThis @suite224.net> wrote in message
news:45ab97c8$0$15153$e656108c@news.suite224.net...
> Guys
>
> Does a tripod have a special name that can extend its legs out in a wide
> circle keeping the camera low as opposed to holding the camera at 4 or 5
> feet in the air? What I am looking for is a tripod I can take
> birdwatching on the coast and get down to shore bird level without taking
> my camera for a swim
>
> Thanks in advance
>
>
> Mike
>
My Manfrotto 3021 has three position legs, you can get down low enough that
the center column is the limiting factor.

--
Skip Middleton
www.shadowcatcherimagery.com
www.pbase.com/skipm
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For this kind of work you might find the Benbo tripod very useful. The legs
and center column are mounted in a line and can all be set at independent
angles. It is extremely useful on uneven ground. Takes a bit of getting used
to, I hear.


http://www.patersonphotographic.com/tripods/benbo.html


Toby

"Mike" <love.DeleteThis@suite224.net> wrote in message
news:45ab97c8$0$15153$e656108c@news.suite224.net...
> Guys
>
> Does a tripod have a special name that can extend its legs out in a wide
> circle keeping the camera low as opposed to holding the camera at 4 or 5
> feet in the air? What I am looking for is a tripod I can take
> birdwatching on the coast and get down to shore bird level without taking
> my camera for a swim
>
> Thanks in advance
>
>
> Mike
>
 >> Stay informed about: Tripod Question 

In article <45ab97c8$0$15153$e656108c@news.suite224.net>, Mike
<love.DeleteThis@suite224.net> wrote:

> Guys
>
> Does a tripod have a special name that can extend its legs out in a wide
> circle keeping the camera low as opposed to holding the camera at 4 or 5
> feet in the air? What I am looking for is a tripod I can take birdwatching
> on the coast and get down to shore bird level without taking my camera for a
> swim
>
> Thanks in advance
>
>
> Mike
>

Gitzo Explorer series. Center column will pull up or swing down. I
use the 2220. Love it.

--
You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a
reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating
the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the struggle for
independence.
-- Charles A. Beard
 >> Stay informed about: Tripod Question 

Mike wrote:
> Guys
>
> Does a tripod have a special name that can extend its legs out in a wide
> circle keeping the camera low as opposed to holding the camera at 4 or 5
> feet in the air? What I am looking for is a tripod I can take birdwatching
> on the coast and get down to shore bird level without taking my camera for a
> swim
>
> Thanks in advance
>
>
> Mike
>
>

I use either my Slik 210 or my Manfrotto 3021. The Slik 210 has the
capability to mount a second camera (or flash) on one of its legs.
 >> Stay informed about: Tripod Question 

You might also consider a mono-pod. regards, Rich
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