Nicholas J DeSciose

If you have that much business you can afford a second tripod

ecurb Loc: Metro Chicago Area

Just keep notes. Once you establish the distance from your subject and camera height you can reset your tripod using a simple tape measure. Doesn't matter if this is in you own studio space or a customer location.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Excellent ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Exceptionally beautiful composition
💫💫💫💫💫

skatz

While the chain idea could work, I suspect they were used when retractable steel tape measures were not available yet. And you don’t need a second tripod, just a good sturdy one that can be reliably set up according to detailed notes and measurements. This applies to your lights, reflectors, etc. as well. As long as you are using the same equipment each time and have the measurements: height to the lens, distance from subject, subject height and other coordinates, you should be OK. Don’t forget to photograph your set up for reference. You can add dimensions to the photos either digitally or to prints. Marking the tripod may not be necessary with good measurements, diagram, notes, etc. but if you do it, marker and tape do not hold up very well, especially if you use the tripod a lot. Lightly scratching the metal or plastic is more of a commitment but reliable. If you scratch a component that slips inside another, lightly file off any burrs so as not to damage the inside surface and ruin the smooth action.
Also record exposure information so DOF matches.
That’s enough, my fingers are tired.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

These simple tools might help.

As you can see by their poor cosmetic condition, these tools are well used. They are always kicking around at the bottom of my case to level the camera or adjust it to specific angles.

It would be difficult and cumbersome to write, mark, or etch reference marks on a tripod or tilt head. I don' know of any models that come with such incremental markings to facilitate repeatability. I do recall such a scale on the side of a tilt head but I do not remember the brand- possibly on an old Quick-Set or Star-D?

There is a lot of geometry involved you set up in that as you raise or lower the height or change the distance as required, the angle of tilt is gonna change as well. This of course unless all of the shots will be done at exactly the same distance and height.

The tools are simple angle levels that work on the same principle as a bubble level but allow you to determine the angle of tilt and replicate it on subsequent shots. The white one was made by Horseman. I used it in my view camera work by placing it on the rear standard over the ground glass. You can place it at the back of your camera to read the angle. The black one is obtainable at hardware stores. The tape measure is used to measure and replicate heights.

If you can find an old Majestic head to adapt to your tripod, the crank mechanism controls the tilt and makes fine adjustments much easier than with a standard tilt or ball head. I have seen a complete Majestic tripod on eBay and other used equipment sites. They are super-extremely sturdy and both forward tilt and elevator mechanisms are geared and crank-operated.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

photonaut Loc: Albuquerque, New Mexico USA

If I'm understanding your question properly, you are concerned about setting up your tripod quickly and are wanting some easy way to set it up to the proper height each time. I used a silver Sharpie to mark the legs of one of my tripods so I could do this while shooting a project similar to yours. If you need to change or remove the Sharpie ink later, 91% alcohol and a cotton ball does the trick.

Pepsiman Loc: New York City

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

Very nice product image. Interesting composition and graphic layout.

Mr Bill 2011 Loc: southern Indiana

Why not just take a tape measure and record the height of the tripod the first time you set it up. Measure distance from your camera to the subject.
Record everything.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

That might be too easy.

toptrainer Loc: Wellington

Thank you all for your tips, I ended up purchasing: K&F Concept 94 Inch Camera Tripods 4 Section Aluminium Professional Detachable Monopod Tripod with 360 Degree Ball Head Quick Release Plate for DSLR SLR Cameras T254A8+BH-28L (SA254T1). The tripod worked awesome and I was able to keep the 45 photographs on the same angle the whole time by not only having a sturdier tripod, but we marked off the table to place the plates in the exact same spot for every shot. I will be heading back again next week to do the next round of photos for the catalog. I included couple of the shots so you can see what I’m talking about.