Largest footprint for tall tripod & small platform

TimPhilippines wrote on 6/14/2014, 11:52 AM
I need to build a platform to hold a tripod AND ME with a desired tripod height of over 72" so I can see over the congregation to record the worship singers and other speakers. Just bought a Sony HXR-NX3 to be delivered by July 15 so I have time to do it right. Would like to have the camera at a maximum height for best results without having to climb too many steps to get on the small platform. Figured it would be best to go for a 72"+ tripod height. The NX3 has NFC so I can utilize a tablet or other monitor to be sure I've got the subjects in frame when zoomed in. Seems like a platform with a minimum height of 24" to a maximum of 42" may be optimal. Distance from the camera on the platform to the subjects on a 24" high stage is about 40'.

I previously have used a Manfrotto 503HDV Pro Fluid Video Head and was able to play with it's different adjustments to where it was quite smooth and liked it. But, am willing to try another brand and any reasonably priced tripod. Really want smooth panning.

It would be nice if I could just NOT buy an expensive tripod and just mount a quality head on a steel fabricated portion of the platform. This savings would probably pay for the construction of the platform. OH, and of course the platform needs to come apart in sections so it can be stored between weekends.

SO, BACK TO THE ORIGINAL QUESTION.

What is the largest footprint of any quality professional tripod so the platform contraption I have built will be future proofed with an adequate floor space to hold any future professional tripod purchase?

If you've read this far, thank you!!!

I hate typing and have USA Vonage, so if you'd rather talk than type, send me an email & I will call you. OR, just email is okay, too.

Thanks,
Tim in the Philippines

PS: I have been an owner/user of Sony Vegas Pro 9, 10, 11, 12 & 13. Sorry if this isn't a strictly Vegas Pro question.















Comments

JackW wrote on 6/14/2014, 1:06 PM
I have no idea what your budget is but you might consider something like this if you can afford it:

http://www.spidersupport.com/Spider-Pod.html

It's solid as a rock, easily stored and would last you and your church for years.

Jack
richard-amirault wrote on 6/14/2014, 1:40 PM
I have a Manfrotto tripod that easily reaches over the heads of people (I forget the model) When I need that height I have two options.

1. Turn the external LDC viewfinder "down" so that I it is facing me and I can see it square on instead of it facing rearward. For this you will need to look up all the time you are shooting, and depending on the height your camera controls access may be limited.

2. Put the tripod on the floor (as in #1 above) but (for me) stand on something. I have used chairs. That works, but because of the small standing space your legs get tired and cramped if the shoot goes on for some time. I have found an alternative that works even better ... a folding, portable "scaffold" / work platform. That way you can walk around and change your foot position easily.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Werner-39-1-2-in-x-12-in-x-20-9-16-in-Aluminum-Work-Platform-AP-20/100662616

Serena Steuart wrote on 6/14/2014, 7:48 PM
Seems to me that you really want a jib crane.
http://philipbloom.net/2013/09/19/kesslerpocketjib/Kesler Jib[/link]
ushere wrote on 6/14/2014, 9:38 PM
for cheap, but reasonably hardwearing jibs you could try:

http://www.thecinecity.com/eshop/Camera-Jibs/

i know a couple of people who've bought and use them. obviously not as well made as the 'brand' named ones, but since you're not likely to be giving them a hard time on location, etc., they should do the job.
larry-peter wrote on 6/15/2014, 11:10 AM
If you seriously want to look into a rail-mount system for your head, start exploring the world of grip equipment. There's a solution for everything. I've used a rig similar to this before for a light camera with a Sachtler DVII head:

http://www.cameragrip.co.uk/acatalog/info_605.html

There are several options for doing what you want without buying an additional tripod on this site. You could look at the low-hats with a good clamp system also.
riredale wrote on 6/16/2014, 2:00 AM
I would guess that you don't want something physically tied to the platform you're standing on, because every time you would shift your weight there would be vibration in the video image.

I did the chair thing for a while, but chairs are pretty dangerous. So I wound up buying an inexpensive aluminum "step stool" with a carry handle like this one. The platform is big enough so you can move your feet from time to time to minimize fatigue, it's plenty strong, you can lean against the upper rail, and it's not connected to the tripod in any way so there's no image degradation.
farss wrote on 6/16/2014, 2:28 AM
[I]"I would guess that you don't want something physically tied to the platform you're standing on, because every time you would shift your weight there would be vibration in the video image."[/I]

I can confirm that as a real issue, get a tripod that's tall enough sitting on solid ground and then use a platform to get yourself up to behind the camera.

I'd suggest cameraperson comfort really needs to be considered here as well if the shoot is longer than say 15 minutes. I use a foldup bar stool from Ikea (~$25) to sit on.

Bob.
videoITguy wrote on 6/16/2014, 7:54 AM
The work you want to do is best set up by a jib assembly. Here are the components necessary for jib work -
1) Very solid portable platform mount
2) Jib with about a reach of 10ft off ground - that is a jib with a 5foot reach
3) Camera setup with remote control - Lanc on Sony or Canon is preferred
4) Remote 7" monitor hooked up to camera
5) one good option is remote joystick control of pan and tilt

Here is my own solution - Indisystems airjibXL, two tripods in tandem for platform mount, Lanc, Lilliput monitor, custom built joystick pan and tilt kit - the base package is about $800 less camera - the pan and tilt remote is about $600 for added feature.
Rainer wrote on 6/16/2014, 5:08 PM
We sometimes shoot weddings. I mostly use a 6ft Weifeng tripod, around $200, which gets me over people's heads, just use tilted down viewfinder. A co-shooter has a tripod head mounted on the top of ordinary 8ft stepladder, he climbs to the second or third rung, more stable than a chair. We have cranes and monitors, but they take a lot of time to set up and move around.
Serena Steuart wrote on 6/16/2014, 8:02 PM
In this case being able to move around quickly isn't a requirement (see proposed platform in original question) and and not being able to move for the length of a ceremony will be very fatiguing for any operator not comfortably positioned. Looking up at the camera LCD will quickly become a pain in the neck, so this means that the operator must be at camera height or use an external monitor. If a platform is used (as in original proposal) it must be very rigid (see comments) which will render it inconvenient for setting up and breaking down. These factors make a jib an attractive solution and the Kesler Pocket Jib is quickly setup (see Phil Bloom's review) and not expensive when used with an existing tripod. A remote controlled head isn't essential but remote monitor and LANC are.
Cheap options (step ladders etc) are appropriate for infrequent work but the task described is recurring and probably frequent. Worth getting a good setup.
richard-amirault wrote on 6/18/2014, 2:53 PM
I still think my suggestion is viable. It is cheap .. easy to put up and take down .. comfortable to use for extended periods. Yes, you need a good tripod/head that will reach that high, but still likely less expensive in total than other suggestions.