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Glenn NK · Apr-13-2008, 10:54 AM #1

I'm looking for a clamp that attaches to the lower leg of a tripod that will accept a ballhead to get the camera very close to the ground. Beanbags have been suggested, but their bulkiness make them less than practical to carry around in the field.

I've seen a Manfrotto one in a camera shop, but it seems to be a bit heavy and bulky (my Lowepro AW300 is pretty well full).

I have a Manfrotto 190 series which will lie flat on the ground, but the centre column has to be taken out to achieve this. When I'm on a flower shoot, I find that I'm continually taking it out, replacing it, taking it out, etc. whereas a clamp on the bottom leg could remain there permanently.

Another problem is when I'm out in the field with wildflowers, the legs in the "flat out" position, effectively trample other greenery (flowers in later stages of blooming), and I'm not too keen on leaving damaged botanicals in my wake. Three points on the ground can be managed carefully to avoid damage.

I have added extensions to the (optional) Manfrotto spikes which consist of 10 mm coupler nuts and 10 mm bolts (with the heads cut off and sharpened to a point). These longer spikes can be pushed into the ground up to 100 mm (4 inches), which really stabilizes the tripod on soft ground (where flowers grow and where landscapes so often are).

With the legs straight out and flat, the spikes are useless and the tripod isn't particularly stable on the forest floor.

Somehwere on some forum I saw an image of a clamp that didn't look too large, but I can't recall where.

Any help on this would be appreciated.

Glenn

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Apr-13-2008, 10:54 AM #1
Glenn NK ^OP Major grins Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 268	Tripod Clamp? I'm looking for a clamp that attaches to the lower leg of a tripod that will accept a ballhead to get the camera very close to the ground. Beanbags have been suggested, but their bulkiness make them less than practical to carry around in the field. I've seen a Manfrotto one in a camera shop, but it seems to be a bit heavy and bulky (my Lowepro AW300 is pretty well full). I have a Manfrotto 190 series which will lie flat on the ground, but the centre column has to be taken out to achieve this. When I'm on a flower shoot, I find that I'm continually taking it out, replacing it, taking it out, etc. whereas a clamp on the bottom leg could remain there permanently. Another problem is when I'm out in the field with wildflowers, the legs in the "flat out" position, effectively trample other greenery (flowers in later stages of blooming), and I'm not too keen on leaving damaged botanicals in my wake. Three points on the ground can be managed carefully to avoid damage. I have added extensions to the (optional) Manfrotto spikes which consist of 10 mm coupler nuts and 10 mm bolts (with the heads cut off and sharpened to a point). These longer spikes can be pushed into the ground up to 100 mm (4 inches), which really stabilizes the tripod on soft ground (where flowers grow and where landscapes so often are). With the legs straight out and flat, the spikes are useless and the tripod isn't particularly stable on the forest floor. Somehwere on some forum I saw an image of a clamp that didn't look too large, but I can't recall where. Any help on this would be appreciated. Glenn __________________ "There is nothing that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and he who considers price only is that man’s lawful prey". John Ruskin 1819 - 1900


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