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Cheap Tripod to shoot straight down

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  • Sony
  • Video
  • Cameras
Last response: in Digital Camera
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March 24, 2013 6:23:02 PM

Hi folks,

I am making a few instructional videos for my work. I am using a Sony HDR-CX580V and I was looking to mount it on a tripod that can shoot straight down.

To get into detail, I will be making instructional videos on how to use an iPad and Blackberry for work purposes so I need to have a shot of the iPad and my two arms while explaining.

My budget is as low as we can go. Heck, if I were smarter, I'd figure out a way to McGyver this at home to avoid any cost at all. Being Canadian, I have been searching on www.Amazon.ca and found a few tripods under 30$ that can go upto 70inches, which would also be ideal so that I can provide an explanation prior to the instructional videos, but I'm not sure if they actually shoot straight downwards. Being a beginner, for all I know, the option to shoot straight down could be standard on every tripod.

Hopefully someone has a cheap solution or a good recommendation! The important thing is that it can shoot downwards. It doesn't need to be a standard 70 inch tripod, though that would be a huge plus.

EDIT: Here's an example of a tripod I'd love on Amazon but uncertain if this would work for my needs:

http://www.amazon.ca/Professional-72-Inch-Strong-Tripod...

Cheers,
Pat

More about : cheap tripod shoot straight

March 24, 2013 6:33:27 PM

That should be fine, heck my ambico crapo tripod can go straight down.
March 24, 2013 7:26:36 PM

amuffin said:
That should be fine, heck my ambico crapo tripod can go straight down.


Perfect, thanks. :) 
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March 28, 2013 2:11:31 PM

Hey I have the HDR-CX580V and I'm happy with it. So I needed to shoot straight down and at lots of different angles. I'm using a camera clipper. It has a bendable arm and a clip. I actually clipped the cam to a ceiling fan to get the straight down shot I needed, but I suppose you could clip it to just about anything. I like using it for the odd shots where my tripod isn't the best solution.

I found it on Adroama. Here are a few links.

http://Adorama.com/iPhonetoolshed
http://cameraclipper.com

Hope that helps.

Did you every have your 580 battery drain like in 1/2 the time every so often? Mine does but then after a charge it's okay. Not sure.

Jose
a b w Digital camera
March 28, 2013 3:52:12 PM

plangevin said:
Hi folks,

I am making a few instructional videos for my work. I am using a Sony HDR-CX580V and I was looking to mount it on a tripod that can shoot straight down.

...

Hopefully someone has a cheap solution or a good recommendation! The important thing is that it can shoot downwards. It doesn't need to be a standard 70 inch tripod, though that would be a huge plus.

EDIT: Here's an example of a tripod I'd love on Amazon but uncertain if this would work for my needs:

http://www.amazon.ca/Professional-72-Inch-Strong-Tripod...

Cheers,
Pat


Most tripods will allow straight down orientation.
Also, look into the Pedco Ultraclamp. Clamp to just about anything, at any orientation.
March 29, 2013 3:25:04 AM

There are two basic tripods to consider. The first is the pan and tilt. These were the ones I always broke. In addition, I found their range of motion to be limited, and awkward. The alternative is to buy a set of legs, and then pick up a ball head separately. This is more expensive, but in my experience, a much wiser long term investment.

http://www.photographytalk.com/photography-articles/how...
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