Tripod with Extension Arm

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital,rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Does anyone other than Benbo make a tripod that has an extension arm,
allowing the camera to move away from the center post, ala, Benbo Trekker?

I am looking for a tripod to hold my digital camera for some macro
photography and the majority of the shots will be down to the subject. A
convention tripod does not easily allow for this configuration.

I seem to recall one advertised in a recent magazine but of course, now I
can't find it

Thanks

Paul P

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital,rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Paul Proefrock <proefrock@heartlandREMOVEgroup.com> wrote:

> Does anyone other than Benbo make a tripod that has an extension arm,
> allowing the camera to move away from the center post, ala, Benbo Trekker?

The Gitzo Explorer is the canonical one like this. The legs can each be
locked at any angle up to 90 degrees, and the center column can be tilted
away as well.

See:

http://www.bogenimaging.us/product [...] itemid=896

"Cheap" isn't the first word that would leap to mind to describe it, but
at least you'll never feel like you want a better one.

--
Jeremy | jeremy@exit109.com

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On 13 Jun 2005 18:57:26 -0700, Paul Rubin
<http://phr.cx@NOSPAM.invalid> wrote:

>"Paul Proefrock" <proefrock@heartlandREMOVEgroup.com> writes:
>> Does anyone other than Benbo make a tripod that has an extension arm,
>> allowing the camera to move away from the center post, ala, Benbo Trekker?
>>
>> I am looking for a tripod to hold my digital camera for some macro
>> photography and the majority of the shots will be down to the subject. A
>> convention tripod does not easily allow for this configuration.
>
>The Bogen 3059 side arm fits on most tripods with a 3/8" head screw.
>I have one of these and have to say its rigidity is not the greatest.
>Maybe you want to consider a conventional copy stand.
>
>Bogen also makes a line of tripods (the "pro" series which are
>actually aimed at amateurs) where the normal center post can be
>horizontally mounted like a side arm.

The Manfrotto/Bogen 3059, 3153 etc. have a leather (or leather-like
plastic) inset between the aluminum clamp and the aluminum pipe. This
is why they are not rigid even when overtightened.

For macro on museum location, generally I use a rather small Manfrotto
tripod with the column mounted upside down - not sideways (e.g., the
Manfrotto 144). Not all tripods let you do this, and many are not
sufficiently rigid (if you can see and feel the tripod give way 1-2mm
or more when you apply a force of 1-2kg on its column, its is no good
for macro by my standards) .

In practice, I extend the tripod legs only by 1 or 2 segments and
place it on a tabletop with the inverted column (i.e. the screw
attachment pointing downwards between the legs). Instead of a tripod
head I use a homemade 90º aluminum bracket, which is more rigid. On
this I mount a focusing rack or bellows and the camera on top, looking
vertically down. I use the focusing rack for small focusing movements
and the column for large ones. Check that your setup does not become
unbalanced (mine has the lens axis approximately between two of the
tripod feet, which is sufficiently stable).

You will have to get used to all writing in the viewfinder and LCD
display being upside down (a right-angle viewer does not turn things
the right way if you use it on a camera pointing vertically downward).
It is possible to build a bracket to have the camera bottom facing
toward you and all the writing the right way, but this will hide all
the controls on the camera top out of your sight and also squeeze your
nose against the camera back when you try to look into the viewfinder,
which in my experience are much worse problems (been there, built a
bracket, threw it away).

Actually, it would be so nice to have a camera with a pentaprism and
viewfinder at the bottom of the back instead of the top. Even major
beaks like mine would be left free to do their jobs instead of being
squeezed against the LCD screen.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital,rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

In article <Wkqre.485$kX4.383@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com>,
"Paul Proefrock" <proefrock@heartlandREMOVEgroup.com> wrote:

> Does anyone other than Benbo make a tripod that has an extension arm,
> allowing the camera to move away from the center post, ala, Benbo Trekker?
>
> I am looking for a tripod to hold my digital camera for some macro
> photography and the majority of the shots will be down to the subject. A
> convention tripod does not easily allow for this configuration.
>
> I seem to recall one advertised in a recent magazine but of course, now I
> can't find it
>
> Thanks
>
> Paul P

Giottos has 6. 3 are aluminum and 3 are carbon fiber.

--
To reply no_ HPMarketing Corp.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital,rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

In article <Wkqre.485$kX4.383@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com>, Paul
Proefrock <proefrock@heartlandREMOVEgroup.com> writes
>Does anyone other than Benbo make a tripod that has an extension arm,
>allowing the camera to move away from the center post, ala, Benbo Trekker?
>
>I am looking for a tripod to hold my digital camera for some macro
>photography and the majority of the shots will be down to the subject. A
>convention tripod does not easily allow for this configuration.
>
>I seem to recall one advertised in a recent magazine but of course, now I
>can't find it
>
>Thanks
>
>Paul P
>
>
Paul,

Several examples of the Manfrotto range have a facility to remove the
centre column and insert it horizontally through the central pivot
block. Variants of the 055 and the Carbon One series do this - you will
have to check the manufacturer's specs for details of the exact model
designations. The 055 models also allow the legs to spread out to put
the head near the ground - the Carbon ones may as well, but I can't
check as my daughter has just packed it to go on holiday!

Be aware that a very heavy camera extended too far can topple.....

David
--
David Littlewood

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital,rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

have a look on ebay for a s/h slik 88. (not a mispelling). They don't seem
to make it anymore but it';ll do what you want for around £30/$45.

"Paul Proefrock" <proefrock@heartlandREMOVEgroup.com> wrote in message
news:Wkqre.485$kX4.383@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com...
> Does anyone other than Benbo make a tripod that has an extension arm,
> allowing the camera to move away from the center post, ala, Benbo Trekker?
>
> I am looking for a tripod to hold my digital camera for some macro
> photography and the majority of the shots will be down to the subject. A
> convention tripod does not easily allow for this configuration.
>
> I seem to recall one advertised in a recent magazine but of course, now I
> can't find it
>
> Thanks
>
> Paul P
>

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital,rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

On Tue, 14 Jun 2005 01:24:06 GMT, "Paul Proefrock"
<proefrock@heartlandREMOVEgroup.com> wrote:

>Does anyone other than Benbo make a tripod that has an extension arm,
>allowing the camera to move away from the center post, ala, Benbo Trekker?
>
>I am looking for a tripod to hold my digital camera for some macro
>photography and the majority of the shots will be down to the subject. A
>convention tripod does not easily allow for this configuration.

Are you sure you need an offset? My tripod has a cap on the
lower end of the main shaft. If I unscrew that cap, I can pull the
shaft straight up until it comes free, then push the cap end of the
shaft up through the main bushing. After replacing the cap to prevent
the shaft from accidentally falling to the ground, I flip the
portrait-to-landscape plate so it's perpendicular to the ground and
re-mount the camera so the lens points down at the subject on the
ground. This also guarantees that no tripod legs will interfere with
the shot.

>
>I seem to recall one advertised in a recent magazine but of course, now I
>can't find it
>
>Thanks
>
>Paul P
>

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Hi Paul,
There is a similar tripod to the Benbo made by Uniloc which appears to
be possibly better than the Benbo.

I have a Benbo Trekker which I have used for about 10 years and find
it excellent for macro. I have just acquired a Canon 1D and the
Trekker is a bit light for this body so I am also in the market for
another tripod.

To date I have not come across another tripod as versatile as the
Benbo type for macro work. Yes, they are very idiosyncratic to use and
could be expensive if you don't support the camera while you adjust
the legs.

Cheers,
Allan


On Tue, 14 Jun 2005 01:24:06 GMT, "Paul Proefrock"
<proefrock@heartlandREMOVEgroup.com> wrote:

>Does anyone other than Benbo make a tripod that has an extension arm,
>allowing the camera to move away from the center post, ala, Benbo Trekker?
>
>I am looking for a tripod to hold my digital camera for some macro
>photography and the majority of the shots will be down to the subject. A
>convention tripod does not easily allow for this configuration.
>
>I seem to recall one advertised in a recent magazine but of course, now I
>can't find it
>
>Thanks
>
>Paul P
>