Fluid head on the floor - How low can you go?

[Bob Richardson]

Hello -

I often get low-angle shots taken with the camera placed on or near the floor ... Think busy footsteps, vehicles passing by, pets at play, etc.

I'd like to be able to pan and tilt smoothly, just like I do on a fluid-head tripod. I'd also like for the camera base to be relatively immovable ... not subject to vibration or jostling, so a slider or compact dolly aren't quite what I'm looking for.

I've tried various searches but perhaps I'm using the wrong keywords...

Here's what I'd like, ideally:

A compact but hefty plate that sits on the floor, say 10-12" in diameter, with a rubberized bottom so that it doesn't slide around. It would have a hole and screw for mounting a standard fluid-head tripod, such as a Manfrotto 701HDV. In my application, I'd have an extra head always mounted to this plate, so I could just move the camera from a tripod to the floor shot via the quick-release.

I could make something like this myself out of plywood, but if there is an existing product which provides useful features or a degree of precision/robustness that a DIY job might not accomplish, I'd love to take a look at it.

One idea would be to adapt a base from a microphone stand, but the ones I have are a bit too tall, and the hole in the middle is too large. The closer I can get to being right on the floor, while still having pan/tilt control, the better.

Suggestions welcome.

Thanks.

[Nate Haustein]

I thought of these: Tripod Legs | B&H Photo Video

This one in particular looked really nice: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/860081-REG/Induro_472_101_DR_Hi_Hat_Tripod_Set.html
However, most are for bowl-type heads. For going really low, I'd say you could get an aluminum plate with a sunken 3/8" screw for dirt cheap at any local metal shop. Then glue some rubber padding to the bottom.

[Allan Black]

I have the Miller Compass 15 with CF Solo sticks that can get down really low for ground shots.

Meanwhile the Compass 12 comes along and might be of help ...

Miller Compass 12 Solo DV 2-Stage Alloy Tripod 1876 B&H Photo

Cheers.

[Bob Richardson]

Thanks... the two examples above are $279 and $1699 respectively. I agree with the metal shop idea... trying to keep this well under $100 (plus the cost of the Manfrotto head). Anyone else know of inexpensive off-the-shelf products?

Thanks again.

[Alastair Traill]

Hi Bob,

I have been experimenting with various ideas for low-level work – close-ups in particular.
The obvious off the shelf answer is a high hat. For my interest a high hat is too high but I found with a bit of redesigning I could place the locking knob to the side (see photo) instead of underneath which saved me some height. If you were working on level surfaces you could forget the ball leveler and bolt the head directly to a plate instead. Note the set of legs that can be added one by one if needed to the existing 6 mm legs. The unit is light enough to leave attached to the camera and is very easy to use for relatively wide static shots. However it is very tedious to use for any sort of macro work.

Another picture shows a set off legs attached to an EX3. The rear legs are made from a length of threaded pipe as used by plumbers. The front legs swivels on the single lens support rod to provide height adjustment. Although hard to adjust quickly fine control is vey good. An improvement for work on soft soil or sand is to place the legs in “saucers” – push on plumbers end caps work well.

For low-level work using pan and tilt a nodal head is ideal but the downside is that the head has to be supported from above.
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/images/a...attach/jpg.gif

[Chris Barcellos]

I have this manfrotto and tripod head combo. It gets down to about 6 to 8 inches above the ground. Legs spread out like a crab and the center post is removed and replaced by a center plug that screws into head and latches firmly to the tripod head, leaving panning both side to side, and up and down.

http://www.ebay.com/ctg/Manfrotto-32...ipod-/97304724

I appears new replacement model or number may be this one:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/504846-REG/Manfrotto_055XB_055XB_Tripod_Legs_Black.html
this is exploded view of newer model: http://www.manfrottospares.com/downl...B_20070105.pdf

[Bob Hart]

I have used an old black miller fluid head with a centre fastener on a P+S Technik Skater dolly with the brake set. The Skater is nicely heavy but not too much so to carry about. If you are on grass, the wheels sink in a bit and help anchor it.

I also have used a car wheel rim with the tripod head fastened with a long centre stud into the deep dish of the rim with a piece of MDF either side of the big centre hole to bridge it. These tend to rock unless you put carpet underneath on hard surfaces or gouge the sharp edges of the rim into the grass or soil.

[Zach Love]

If your head has a 3/8" hole & flat base, then you could check this out.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554093-REG/Manfrotto_438_438_Compact_Levelling_Head.html
Mount the Manfrotto 438 to a piece of ply wood & you're probably no more than 3-5" off the ground. Not exactly the best solution, but at least it is under the $100 budget.

[Jim Michael]

I have that Induro hi hat and it is pretty solid. This might be another option for you http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/229594-REG/Birns_Sawyer_203001_Hi_Hat_with_100mm_Bowl.html

[Paul R Johnson]

I had an old Manfrotto 501 head and discovered it was attached to the bowl with a normal camera thread, I attached it to a 4 pad stickypod mount and its pretty useful for low level stuff.

[Robin Davies-Rollinson]

I use the Manfroto baby legs with a Vinten Vision Blue head for my Canon XF300 It's really sturdy and rock solid.
For really low shots, I've got a fantastic new saddle bag from a UK manufacturer. (I'll post details later)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/366660-REG/Manfrotto_529B_529_Hi_Hat_with.html
PS tihis is the link for bean bags; http://www.standbags.co.uk/