Do they make anything like this?

I have a need to capture some images & video by holding the camera very close to the ground. Ideally I'd like to have the camera mounted on the end of a pole of some type where I could view the image on the flip up viewfinder and control remotely while standing.

Of course the 1/4 20 mounting is on the bottom of the camera so simply attaching to that doesn't work. Perhaps some kind of a bracket that could be attached to the camera in its upright position?

Check out PlatyPod.

That's why I got a tripod with a tilting center column.





--
"You can't be young forever, but you can always be immature" - Larry Andersen

Smallrig do various cages to allow you to mount from above or side:

https://www.smallrig.com/SmallRig-Multifunctional-Cage-for-FUJIFILM-X-T5-4135.html

You can then use a tripod of type that has the invertible central column..

Timzee said:

I have a need to capture some images & video by holding the camera very close to the ground. Ideally I'd like to have the camera mounted on the end of a pole of some type where I could view the image on the flip up viewfinder and control remotely while standing.

Of course the 1/4 20 mounting is on the bottom of the camera so simply attaching to that doesn't work. Perhaps some kind of a bracket that could be attached to the camera in its upright position?

Click to expand...

I've never done video, but use the column reversed on a tripod with the camera upside down all the time. I can trigger the shutter with a remote release.

I could probably do the same thing with a monopod, but I don't think I could hold it steady, or be able to see the lcd from that distance.

I can just rotate the stills 180 degrees, but don't know if you can do that with video.

Eric-P said:

Smallrig do various cages to allow you to mount from above or side:

https://www.smallrig.com/SmallRig-Multifunctional-Cage-for-FUJIFILM-X-T5-4135.html

You can then use a tripod of type that has the invertible central column..

Click to expand...

Attaching a small Arca-Swiss style plate on top would make using it this way easy.

bodeswell said:

Check out PlatyPod.

Click to expand...

https://platypod.com

The newest version is the eXtreme, and because the legs do not have to be inserted or removed to pack it up (this is also one of the problems I have with the Decade plate), the eXtreme is the best version in my opinion. but the original Max and Ultimate versions will work depending on the camera and lens sizes.

You will still need to use either the tripod head or leveling platform of your choice.

Like a lot of questions it depends on what you want and how much you want to spend.

Moza Slypod can be mounted to a tripod. It can even provide movement.

But no reason you can't mount the camera upside down and flip the video in post. Who would know?

NickZ2016 said:

But no reason you can't mount the camera upside down and flip the video in post. Who would know?

Click to expand...

Heyyyy... I would know! ;-)

But seriously... easy enough to flip in post as you say but the idea is to be able to observe the video while walking/recording. I can connect/control to a phone with an app but now I have to look at the phone while recording and not the camera.

Thanks much to all who replied with suggestions.

I was describing this to a friend who convinced me that the way to go, given my usage is relatively straight forward, is to go the DIY route. Shape some aluminum flat bar, drill some holds, mount some hardware. etc. Fortunately he has more tools & expertise than myself!

Timzee said:

NickZ2016 said:

But no reason you can't mount the camera upside down and flip the video in post. Who would know?

Click to expand...

Heyyyy... I would know! ;-)

But seriously... easy enough to flip in post as you say but the idea is to be able to observe the video while walking/recording. I can connect/control to a phone with an app but now I have to look at the phone while recording and not the camera.

Click to expand...

I know I am seriously challenged in the visualisation department, but I can’t imagine this setup. The camera is near the ground while you’re walking and you want to be able to look into it as you record? Record what ? The ground?

bewildered,

Maggie

maggiemole said:

Timzee said:

NickZ2016 said:

But no reason you can't mount the camera upside down and flip the video in post. Who would know?

Click to expand...

Heyyyy... I would know! ;-)

But seriously... easy enough to flip in post as you say but the idea is to be able to observe the video while walking/recording. I can connect/control to a phone with an app but now I have to look at the phone while recording and not the camera.

Click to expand...

I know I am seriously challenged in the visualisation department, but I can’t imagine this setup. The camera is near the ground while you’re walking and you want to be able to look into it as you record? Record what ? The ground?

bewildered,

Maggie

Click to expand...

He wants to shoot from near ground level possibly looking up, or maybe he wants to shoomaybe but who knows,maybe the OP does want to film an actors feet while they are walking. I did that once for the first film I was the d.p. for. In the scene the actor walked by th camera and then I held the camera at ankle height, following him as he walked down the block.

The way I did it with a ten pound video camera was to mount it on the end of a monopod. The monopod and camera were joined by a cold foot on the monopod and the cold foot in cold shoe accessory mount on the camera’s top handle.

If I were doing this today I would do the same thing but would use a mirrorless camera in a video cage with the monopod screwed into the video cage, and monitor,smart phone, or iPad mounted on the other end of the monopod.

or maybe he wants to film a trail of ants marching and does want the camera pointing at the ground?

To see my work, please visit http://www.ellisvener.com
I am on Instagram @EllisVenerStudio
“It's not about the f-stop." -Jay Maisel

Ellis Vener said:

maggiemole said:

Timzee said:

NickZ2016 said:

But no reason you can't mount the camera upside down and flip the video in post. Who would know?

Click to expand...

Heyyyy... I would know! ;-)

But seriously... easy enough to flip in post as you say but the idea is to be able to observe the video while walking/recording. I can connect/control to a phone with an app but now I have to look at the phone while recording and not the camera.

Click to expand...

I know I am seriously challenged in the visualisation department, but I can’t imagine this setup. The camera is near the ground while you’re walking and you want to be able to look into it as you record? Record what ? The ground?

bewildered,

Maggie

Click to expand...

He wants to shoot from near ground level possibly looking up, or maybe he wants to shoomaybe but who knows,maybe the OP does want to film an actors feet while they are walking. I did that once for the first film I was the d.p. for. In the scene the actor walked by th camera and then I held the camera at ankle height, following him as he walked down the block.

The way I did it with a ten pound video camera was to mount it on the end of a monopod. The monopod and camera were joined by a cold foot on the monopod and the cold foot in cold shoe accessory mount on the camera’s top handle.

If I were doing this today I would do the same thing but would use a mirrorless camera in a video cage with the monopod screwed into the video cage, and monitor,smart phone, or iPad mounted on the other end of the monopod.

or maybe he wants to film a trail of ants marching and does want the camera pointing at the ground?

To see my work, please visit http://www.ellisvener.com
I am on Instagram @EllisVenerStudio
“It's not about the f-stop." -Jay Maisel

Click to expand...

In this setup I have a Nikon Z 6 mounted in a SmallRig video cage. To the top of the video cage I attached an iFootage SpiderCrab SA-32 pole. The SA-32 has ball head joints built into both ends of the pole. The collar on the heads locks into SpiderCrab plugs (included with the SA-32 and the other SpiderCrab arms. When fully extended the SA-32 is 32 inches long. In the last photo I show the full rig with an Apple M1 10.5-inch iPad attached to the top end.


















Nikon Z 6 in SmallRig video cage connected to iFootage SpiderCrab SA-32 pole with Apple 10.5” iPad mounted on other end of the SA-32.

-
Ellis Vener
To see my work, please visit http://www.ellisvener.com
I am on Instagram @EllisVenerStudio
“It's not about the f-stop." -Jay Maisel

Ellis Vener said:

Ellis Vener said:

He wants to shoot from near ground level possibly looking up, or maybe he wants to shoomaybe but who knows,maybe the OP does want to film an actors feet while they are walking. I did that once for the first film I was the d.p. for. In the scene the actor walked by th camera and then I held the camera at ankle height, following him as he walked down the block.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Good explanation and example(s) of the kinds of things I want to do. Such as being able to shoot small critters at their eye level-- snakes, frogs, etc. Also, for example, walking through a filed of wild flowers.

Ellis Vener said:

Ellis Vener said:

The way I did it with a ten pound video camera was to mount it on the end of a monopod. The monopod and camera were joined by a cold foot on the monopod and the cold foot in cold shoe accessory mount on the camera’s top handle.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

That's a very slick rig and great detailed images of your setup. I have all/similar attachments lacking only the type of cage you posted. I'll see how I make out with a DYI approach and take it from there. Thanks for the input.

Timzee said:

Ellis Vener said:

Timzee said:

He wants to shoot from near ground level possibly looking up, or maybe he wants to shoomaybe but who knows,maybe the OP does want to film an actors feet while they are walking. I did that once for the first film I was the d.p. for. In the scene the actor walked by th camera and then I held the camera at ankle height, following him as he walked down the block.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Good explanation and example(s) of the kinds of things I want to do. Such as being able to shoot small critters at their eye level-- snakes, frogs, etc. Also, for example, walking through a filed of wild flowers.

Timzee said:

Timzee said:

The way I did it with a ten pound video camera was to mount it on the end of a monopod. The monopod and camera were joined by a cold foot on the monopod and the cold foot in cold shoe accessory mount on the camera’s top handle.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

That's a very slick rig and great detailed images of your setup. I have all/similar attachments lacking only the type of cage you posted. I'll see how I make out with a DYI approach and take it from there. Thanks for the input.

Click to expand...

The cage is the key. It redistributes the load and stress from the camera. The two little pins on either side of the screw on the iFootage connector are Arriflex anti-twist pins and mate with matching holes in the cage.



--
Ellis Vener
To see my work, please visit http://www.ellisvener.com
I am on Instagram @EllisVenerStudio
“It's not about the f-stop." -Jay Maisel

Lacking a cage, one could use one of those low-level handles meant for video: https://www.amazon.com/Zeadio-Stabilizing-Stabilizer-Panasonic-Camcorder/dp/B00LKK99QA

True. I bought one of those a year or two ago but I have yet to find a use for it.

--
Ellis Vener
To see my work, please visit http://www.ellisvener.com
I am on Instagram @EllisVenerStudio
“It's not about the f-stop." -Jay Maisel

Jack Calypso said:

Lacking a cage, one could use one of those low-level handles meant for video: https://www.amazon.com/Zeadio-Stabilizing-Stabilizer-Panasonic-Camcorder/dp/B00LKK99QA

Click to expand...

Thanks. I do have a couple of similar devices but don't really see how this could work for the application myself and Ellis have described. The pole/cage he described however is a viable option.

bodeswell said:

Check out PlatyPod.

Click to expand...

Check out the Decade tripod plate. Comparable to the above- mentioned item but more versatile and less expensive.

I don't have a relationship with any gear manufacturer.

PhotoMac503 said:

bodeswell said:

Check out PlatyPod.

Click to expand...

Check out the Decade tripod plate. Comparable to the above- mentioned item but more versatile and less expensive.

I don't have a relationship with any gear manufacturer.

Click to expand...

Full disclosure: three or four years ago I was hired by Platypod to make a photo for a tradeshow booth banner. Otherwise, I am not compensated by nor am I in a commercial relationship with the company. Under an NDA, Platypod's owner occasionally asks me what I think about a forthcoming product. Over the past twenty years I have had similar relationships with other companies that manufacture photographic products, primarily Really Right Stuff, Arca-Swiss, Canon, Nikon, Sony, Profoto, Paul C. Buff, Flashpoint, and Sigma. Whether they actually listen to my suggestions is another matter.
I have a Decade and a Platypod eXterme as well l as the original Platypod Max and Ultra.

The Decade plate is roughly the same size as both the Platypod Max and Extreme, the Platypod Ultra is smaller. Like the Max and Ultra, with the Decade, if you need the spike-ended leveling legs, you have to screw the legs into the plate every time you need them. This also means you need to remove them to it pack it up. With the Max, Ultra, and Decade plates, this is a bit tedious to the point that with the Max, Ultra, and Decade plates I just don't use the legs.

With the new Platypod eXtreme, the legs are in hinged mounts and do not need to be inserted or removed. Also, the angle of each leg can be independently set to five different angles, and this can provide more stability and versatility.

The Decade does have a removable bolt for attaching the head. This can be seen as both a good thing and a bad thing. The good aspect is that it doesn't protrude from the plate. The bad thing is that one more thing will come loose and get misplaced.

With the Platypod eXtreme, Max, and Ultra, the head attachment bolt is titanium and welded into the body of the plate. The bolt is made from titanium to keep it from galling either the bolt or the socket in the tripod head. I have seen posts from one person complaining about the possibility of it snagging the back pocket of your pants or in a camera bag, I have never had that happen Except for that one person's complaint about that as a possibility, I don't recall anyone else mentioning it.
The only real world advantage I see the Decade having over either the Platypod Max or eXtreme is price.

--
Ellis Vener
To see my work, please visit http://www.ellisvener.com
I am on Instagram @EllisVenerStudio
“It's not about the f-stop." -Jay Maisel