Low profile tripod or something: My current tripod won't allow my camera to get as close to the ground as I would like. So I'm looking for ideas, models of tripods or something that...

wannabe63 Loc: Bellevue, Washington

My current tripod won't allow my camera to get as close to the ground as I would like. So I'm looking for ideas, models of tripods or something that will allow me to take ground level photos without getting on my belly and rolling around in the dirt. The camera is a Nikon D750 (love the tilt up screen) with a 28-300mm f3.5-5.6 VR plus other smaller lenses.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

A lot of tripods, with a little fiddling, will let you invert the post. What do you have?

valley4photo Loc: Lemon Grove, Ca. 91945

wannabe63 wrote:

My current tripod won't allow my camera to get as close to the ground as I would like. So I'm looking for ideas, models of tripods or something that will allow me to take ground level photos without getting on my belly and rolling around in the dirt. The camera is a Nikon D750 (love the tilt up screen) with a 28-300mm f3.5-5.6 VR plus other smaller lenses.

I have a Slik model that you can put the head on the bottom. Works great.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

wannabe63 wrote:

My current tripod won't allow my camera to get as close to the ground as I would like. So I'm looking for ideas, models of tripods or something that will allow me to take ground level photos without getting on my belly and rolling around in the dirt. The camera is a Nikon D750 (love the tilt up screen) with a 28-300mm f3.5-5.6 VR plus other smaller lenses.

How low, how about Gorilla Pod

Mundj Loc: Richmond TX

I am very satisfied with the Vanguard Altra Pro. It has three position leg locks plus a removable center post that can also help you optimize your shooting position.

Leitz Loc: Solms

wannabe63 wrote:

My current tripod won't allow my camera to get as close to the ground as I would like. So I'm looking for ideas, models of tripods or something that will allow me to take ground level photos without getting on my belly and rolling around in the dirt. The camera is a Nikon D750 (love the tilt up screen) with a 28-300mm f3.5-5.6 VR plus other smaller lenses.

Most of the major brands offer tripods where the legs will spread out almost 180°, allowing you to get close to the ground. How close depends upon the height of the head.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

wannabe63 wrote:

My current tripod won't allow my camera to get as close to the ground as I would like. So I'm looking for ideas, models of tripods or something that will allow me to take ground level photos without getting on my belly and rolling around in the dirt. The camera is a Nikon D750 (love the tilt up screen) with a 28-300mm f3.5-5.6 VR plus other smaller lenses.

Almost any tripod will do what you wish! ground level is getting down on your belly!!
Try the Manfroto055cxz pro 4 with a acra siwss or acratech head.

RRS Loc: Not sure

Leitz wrote:

Most of the major brands offer tripods where the legs will spread out almost 180°, allowing you to get close to the ground. How close depends upon the height of the head.

May I add that it will also depend on if you have a center column which could also limit your distance from the ground.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Invert the tripod post then mount your camera on the bottom of a side bracket to get a non-inverted picture or if you don't use a side bracket you can flip the photo right side up in post.

JBruce Loc: Northern MN

Mundj wrote:

I am very satisfied with the Vanguard Alta Pro. It has three position leg locks plus a removable center post that can also help you optimize your shooting position.

I love the Vanguard design as well, with it's' swing-out center column and low-angle legs . If you use a tripod that allows attaching the camera to the bottom of the post, it may introduce a problem in that when using it in this way you may have a difficult time working with the camera hanging inside of the the legs--a young mans game. Tried it, it's just too awkward and not for me, so I settled on the Vanguard Alta Pro 264--got it from B&H.

PhotoArtsLA Loc: Boynton Beach

As I always chime in: the good old Gitzo Tele Studex Giant. Great tripod offering about 10 foot vertical and about negative 6 inches into the ground, but you'd have to dig the hole.

Linda Ewing Loc: Lincolnshire,UK

I have the same problem with getting down low, I find using a small bean bag more useful than trying to wrestle with all the legs and try to taking a pic with camera upside down.

I also using a very small stool with a flat even surface, its legs are about 8 inches, very useful.

Besides if you have a rather big belly (I am not suggesting you have of course)then you would probably be 8 inches from the ground anyway, my own problem being a female is the two large bumps on the front of my chest!!

wannabe63 wrote:

My current tripod won't allow my camera to get as close to the ground as I would like. So I'm looking for ideas, models of tripods or something that will allow me to take ground level photos without getting on my belly and rolling around in the dirt. The camera is a Nikon D750 (love the tilt up screen) with a 28-300mm f3.5-5.6 VR plus other smaller lenses.

pjarbit Loc: Detroit, Michigan

I love my tripod. I use it for travel. It sits about 6 inches off the ground or table. I've used it on garbage cans, benches, fences... and its tiny and easy to take with you. I keep it in my jacket chest pocket when I travel. Really awesome!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/799983-REG/Cullmann_CU_50081_Copter_Mini_Tripod_with.html

Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado

A different, very practical approach is a Manfroto padded clamp that you can attach anywhere to the leg of your extended tripod with a separate ball head on top - giving you a comfortable camera movements without any mechanical run-around. You can also leave the clamp on - for your next photo location.

cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD

wannabe63 wrote:

My current tripod won't allow my camera to get as close to the ground as I would like. So I'm looking for ideas, models of tripods or something that will allow me to take ground level photos without getting on my belly and rolling around in the dirt. The camera is a Nikon D750 (love the tilt up screen) with a 28-300mm f3.5-5.6 VR plus other smaller lenses.

I've been very happy with an older model of the Benbo Trekker, which is a bit complicated at first, but will go as low as you like pretty much anywhere you like. The current model is essentially the same, with some added bells: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/543831-REG/Benbo_BEN106_Trekker_MK3_Compact_Tripod.html