Tripod for birds videography at DVinfo.net

Ido Levy · July 5th, 2005, 03:07 AM

Hi All

I am looking for a professional tripod to support my XL-2. I am going to concentrate on birds
photography. I am after a tripod that will give me the lowest possible angle of shooting. almost flat on the ground. Any suggestions....?
I would really appreciate your advice.

Thanks
Ido

Jay Gladwell · July 5th, 2005, 06:16 AM

Ido, hasn't this already been discussed?

If not, simply go online to the sites for the tripods that have already been suggested to you and read their stats. They will tell you how low the tripods can go.

Jay

Bob Costa · July 5th, 2005, 08:33 AM

Buy a nice head and screw it to a piece of plywood.

Michael Salzlechner · July 6th, 2005, 05:58 AM

Another option very low that allows you to skoot on sand and stuff is a groundshot plate.

I use one for still photography but have never tried it with video

http://www.naturephotographers.net/g...oundshot2.html

a little more expensive than the plywood suggestion though

Robert J. Wolff · July 16th, 2005, 08:03 AM

For very low, on the ground shots, use a couple of bean bags. They are not to heavy.

If image reversal is not a concern to you, a mirror placed on the ground, will give you some interesting angles.

Mark Williams · July 16th, 2005, 09:24 AM

Ido,

I think you need to look at this in two parts, the head and the tripod. The Wimberly gimbal head would give you the maximum flexibility for fast setups. But a XL-2 might not fit it since it is a larger cam. The Wimberly is much different than a video head so you might want to go some place and try one out first. Also some of your local bird watcher group members may have one that you can look at. Here is a link that shows it.

http://www.naturephotographers.net/g...erleyhead.html

It is very pricey but worth it. I don't own one but have used a friends and really like it.

As for the legs there are probably several that will do. Just depends on your price range. I use the Monfrotto 3221 wilderness legs. Very sturdy but light enough to carry long distances. No spreader to get in the way and can be adjusted almost down to ground level if you remove the center column and use the included short plug for attaching the head.

Hope this helps,

Mark

July 5th, 2005, 03:07 AM	#1
Ido Levy New Boot Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 18	Tripod for birds videography Hi All I am looking for a professional tripod to support my XL-2. I am going to concentrate on birds photography. I am after a tripod that will give me the lowest possible angle of shooting. almost flat on the ground. Any suggestions....? I would really appreciate your advice. Thanks Ido

July 5th, 2005, 08:33 AM	#3
Bob Costa Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 850	Buy a nice head and screw it to a piece of plywood. __________________ You are either growing or dying.

July 6th, 2005, 05:58 AM	#4
Michael Salzlechner Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Royal Palm Beach, FL, US Posts: 228	Another option very low that allows you to skoot on sand and stuff is a groundshot plate. I use one for still photography but have never tried it with video http://www.naturephotographers.net/g...oundshot2.html a little more expensive than the plywood suggestion though __________________ Michael Salzlechner

July 16th, 2005, 08:03 AM	#5
Robert J. Wolff Major Player Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Adirondacks of New York Posts: 210	For very low, on the ground shots, use a couple of bean bags. They are not to heavy. If image reversal is not a concern to you, a mirror placed on the ground, will give you some interesting angles. __________________ Himself

July 5th, 2005, 06:16 AM	#2
Jay Gladwell Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,244	Ido, hasn't this already been discussed? If not, simply go online to the sites for the tripods that have already been suggested to you and read their stats. They will tell you how low the tripods can go. Jay

July 16th, 2005, 09:24 AM	#6
Mark Williams Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Deep South, U.S. Posts: 1,526	Ido, I think you need to look at this in two parts, the head and the tripod. The Wimberly gimbal head would give you the maximum flexibility for fast setups. But a XL-2 might not fit it since it is a larger cam. The Wimberly is much different than a video head so you might want to go some place and try one out first. Also some of your local bird watcher group members may have one that you can look at. Here is a link that shows it. http://www.naturephotographers.net/g...erleyhead.html It is very pricey but worth it. I don't own one but have used a friends and really like it. As for the legs there are probably several that will do. Just depends on your price range. I use the Monfrotto 3221 wilderness legs. Very sturdy but light enough to carry long distances. No spreader to get in the way and can be adjusted almost down to ground level if you remove the center column and use the included short plug for attaching the head. Hope this helps, Mark