tripod with reversible column or underhang

<p>Hello. I have an old school Manfrotto 3058 that's held up like a champ for many years, but I am looking to replace it with a tripod that allows me to reverse the column or has a place for a bottom mount plate so that I can get my camera lower to the ground when I want to shoot low. I want a beefy support that can also go very high. My internet searches haven't turned up much. I am hoping some of you might tell me some brands and models that will fit the bill? thank you!</p>

In my experience with one, the Gitzo 410 or 410C fits your needs. Just using the legs it goes up to about eight feet at the

crown level (obviously your choice of head adds additional height, the standard sliding column is reversabile or with the

"C" version (this is the version with the crank elevated column, which I use and recommend especially for view camera

work) you can add aplatform or simply add the head directly to the bottom of the column.

 

I bought mine, used, back in 1986 when I bought my first view camera, a 4x5 Sinar C, and it has seen continuous use

with various size formats from 8x10 down to D-SLR cameras and heavy duty panorama and macro gear since then. I

have no doubt it would support something larger just as well: I'm not sure I'd use it with a 20x24 but then again it might

work just fine for something that large.

 

Currently a Gitzo leveler is installed in place of the center column and on top of that a Large heavy duty Benro S8 video

head. When I use it with the geared column I use a Foba ASMIA head with a Really Right Stuff PC-LR panning quick

release clamp.

<p>Ellis, thank you for your help! A model number goes a long way in an internet search!</p>

<p>Berlebach<br>

http://www.adorama.com/l/Tripods-and-Supports/Tripods/Berlebach~Tripod-Legs</p>

Also look on eBay for a Foba ALFAE tripod. A dealer I know and trust is selling one. Not cheap but perfect for what you

want and lighter than the Gitzo 410C Giant..

<p>I just bought this and I love it! It handles 8kg. And it is small and light. Maybe you find this helpful.<br>

http://www.digitaltoyshop.com/Triopo_tripod_Kit_MT-3230X8C_+B2_t2851_7110_1<br>

Cheers from Barcelona</p>

<p>I forgot to mention that I put a manfrotto ball head and it works great.</p>

<p>Radrigo, I just read an extensive report on the Triopo tripod and the middle column was wobbly. It could have been that the unit never made it to Europe, where the specs need to equal reality. Having to deal with any middle column is iffy....and I tend to stay away from this design altogether.</p>

<p>Joli, for the most part I find CF tripods (Feisol, etc) to be a less expensive alternative to Gitzo. Since this is an untested waters, at least for me, I'd hesitate using middle column (reversed) unless it's rock steady. Always prefer tripod without the middle column. So often, one can lower the tripod legs to the point that the camera is near the ground...and without reversing the middle column.</p>

<p>Les</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Another approach would be to screw a ball head to a piece of plywood ~12"x12". this DIY piece would get you right down on the ground. If you already have the ball head , this whole thing could cost <$10.</p>

<p>Drew, this is the way I shot at low heights & over the table. Very good solution, in my experience.<br /> Joli, are you aware that many tripods can be opened up to the point of having flat, parallel to the ground legs? If you have enough room, almost any Gitzo without center column will do the task. A thin column on a medium sized tripod use to be a bit too much wobbly to my taste.<br /> Another topic is if you want to hold the camera under the legs (lack of space or whatever).</p>

<p>Well, I bought it in Europe... And it works fine.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.uniloctripod.com/">Uni-Loc</a>'s largest tripod will go from ground level to 94". I'm not sure what the maximum load capacity is. Odd tripod design but I'm considering one (or the cheaper Benbo) for the odd occasions when I do need a flexible tripod. Conventional designs aren't easy to get to the ground level I want without also disturbing the surroundings. The Uni-Loc design offers enough adjustments to get into unusual positions around trees, shrubs, brush, etc., without parking the tripod right on a nearby plant.</p>

<p>Otherwise, any conventional tripod without spreaders like your Manfrotto has should do. Most have reversible center columns for mounting a camera upside down between the legs. And as Jose noted, some can extend the legs to an angle that gets the camera nearly to ground level - although the length of the center column can interfere. All of my lightweight Slik and Bogen/Manfrotto tripods can extend the leg angles to reach nearly ground level, but the center columns force the camera height to at least 12". So I'd need either a threaded multi-segment center column, or none at all with the mount directly on the top of the legs. However one of my Sliks has a 1/4" tripod head mounting bolt on one leg, which enables getting the camera very low for macro photos.</p>

<p>Drew's response may be the best. I once set up my 4x5 field camera upside down on the reversed post on my larger than normal 320 Gitzo. It was difficult to avoid the legs for either looking at the ground glass or a leg getting in front of the lens. Then it was very hard to insert a film holder, and pull out the dark slide without interference from a leg. Vertical formats are just about impossible. Very wide angle lenses will get a leg in the frame. A tripod with its legs collapsed has little space for a 4x5 camera under there. I never used that set up again. </p>

<p>Giottos, Linhof, Berlebach, Novoflex TriOpod and Quadropod QP-C</p>

<p>Uni Loc and Benbo as mentioned above are very versatile in the way they can be adjusted with the legs all at random angles to each other. I have one of each, the largest Benbo and the heavy duty Uni Loc Major in the medium height range.</p>

<p>They are quite similar in function but, of the two I have, I veer towards the Uni Loc unless sheer height is required. The ability to put the legs anywhere seems great but can be a struggle to get everything lined up and still be able to orientate the camera just where you want it.</p>

<p>Maybe with a ball head on it would be easier but I'm not fond of them so occasionally struggle with my Manfrotto 804 pan and tilt head. Sometimes it just isn't possible to adjust without either the pan handles or some other part of the head or even the camera body getting fouled on the centre column.</p>

<p>The Uni Loc excels here because of its 180 degree joint in the arm and the column can be shortened. The Benbo column sometimes prevents you getting as low as you would like as it sticks out like a fourth leg.</p>

<p>Another point is when used low with the legs spread wide the load support is not as good and can tend to creep. Again the Uni Loc has an advantage in that the locking handle tightens plates that are serrated and grip onto each other better.</p>

<p>The usage points above all relate to their use in landscape photography where it is often useful to be able to position the legs in very unnatural alignments in natural environments with tight working space restrictions. Plus the legs are sealed so can be immersed in water without concern.</p>

<p>Overall my vote (of the two) would be Uni Loc. </p>

<p>Mac, because you are using an Uni Loc: would you mount a large format camera on it? I'm asking because I can imagine that it might tip over if the camera is too far off center.</p>

<p>Jens, the Uni Loc and Benbo are so adjustable that it would indeed be possible to set them up such that a heavy weight at the end of the extended column would overbalance the tripod.</p>

<p>That said I use mine with a GX680 (no lightweight) and by staying within sensible operating limits I haven't had a major collapse so far. Owners of these tripods quickly learn to operate like they have three arms because as soon as you loosen the locking lever everything goes floppy and that third arm is needed to support it all before relocking.</p>

<p>Not everybody's cup of tea but if you know someone who has just bought one it can be fun watching the first few attempts at using it. Even now I'm often quite glad when I'm out in the landscape that I'm not being observed because you can sometimes get two of those legs just where you want them but that last leg, even though in theory you can bend it to just about anywhere, always seems to want to be going somewhere over your shoulder.</p>

<p>Mac, thanks for the info. The GX680 weighs approximately as much as a 4x5. I'll dig deeper into this exotic system. The appealing points:<br>

Only two sections per leg - less sections means less vibration. <br>

The reversed sections - the large sealed ones at the bottom.<br>

The total height of the Uni Loc MASYS2300 with 2.3 meters for such relatively small investment sounds excellent. Though I only need it a few times per year, it is very interesting compared to a very expensive Gitzo Systematic Giant tripod, which weighs a lot more and has at least 5 sections.</p>

<p>Just found this video:</p>

<p><a href="

<p>You can see from that video what I mean about everything going floppy when the locking lever is loosened. Any weight on the column head (big camera) makes it all a lot more of a struggle than the video shows to get things to where you want them to go. Add to that, one leg standing in muddy water, another on a moss covered rock and the third trying to find its way into your trouser pocket and it can all get interesting.</p>

<p>As a tripod to have on hand for a few times per year I would unreservedly recommend it because it is so versatile. For full time use though you'd have to be a bit dedicated if you're only previously used to adjusting a leg at a time.</p>

<p>At least you have a great sense for humour about handling this tripod!<br>

Fun aside, currently I use a Berlebach and an old Gitzo Aluminium, the Berlebach being a rock in the storm (2 sections) and the Gitzo kind of a bit shaky and complicated (4 sections, the old ones didn't have the guides to prevent the turning of the legs while fastening the locks). So the Uni Loc could come in as a life saver.<br>

The guy in this video mounted a LF on the Uni Loc:</p>

<p><a href="

<p>So many Uni Loc/Benbo videos, I didn't know they existed. Now I don't have to go out in bad weather to get my tripod wrestling fix.</p>

<p>He's using the Benbo #1 in this video which is the bigger of the two that I own and I would steer you to the Uni Loc Major if you can find it, it's refinements make it worth going after.</p>

<p>I use an old Linhof 2 section tripod when I want something light to carry yet sturdy but if I know I'm wanting the ability to set up in almost any situation then the Uni Loc is worth carrying especially my medium height model which does make it a bit lighter and more manageable. I prefer to work fairly low a lot of the time so the nearly eight feet height of the large ones isn't a big drawcard for me. Of course it does have a major advantage if you want to lower it over an edge and have the camera come up to working level as you stand above it. One size doesn't fit all in the tripod world.</p>

<p>Another vote for Drew's solution. Woodworking type clamps also come in handy for this type of setup, in my experience.</p>