Cheap Tripod/Rig for taking "top down" perspective

[cjl]

Hi all.

I am looking into take photos and videos from a 'top-down' view that looks something like this:

I have the following:

- 1 Benro tripod
- 1 Canon 7D
- Light system (TBC)

My plan is to take photos AND videos of a desk show a book flipping. Found a video that describe the perspective I want:

[video=youtube;pN_QBKUakvo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN_QBKUakvo[/video]

Now, my question is, how to get my 7D hanging up so high in the most affordable manner?

Thanks in advance

 

[catchlights]

http://www.amazon.com/Feisol-VH-40H...&keywords=FEISOL+VH-40+Horizontal+Adapter+Kit

 

[catchlights]

alternately, you can secure your tripod to a vertical wall, see this photo to get the idea.

of course you are standing on the ground, on the tripod is planted on the wall.

 

[cjl]

alternately, you can secure your tripod to a vertical wall, see this photo to get the idea.

of course you are standing on the ground, on the tripod is planted on the wall.

Wah lau....how is this done sia?!!?

 

[kandinsky]

If you check out youtube, quite a number of ppl do it by building a frame out of pvc pipes or wood. I suppose they want something quite permanent, not for a one-off shoot. So makes sense if they don't want to dedicate a tripod just for that..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23SEJLMuN9s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ4ORaQLx9g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJII4skebms

The most budget one I've ever seen utilizes an existing shelf above the workspace:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3do9zeMwKk

Just thought of another cheap (and easily removable) method for a temp setup. Can also try a tension mounted pullup bar in a doorway, then use a suitable clamp (gorillapod or the like) that supports your setup weight. You can slide the table into the doorway. Downside: limited working space, limit access in/out of the room.

It doesn't have to be high. You can 'cheat' by using a piece of wood on the floor to simulate a table. That way, you can easily use your tripod on the floor with the horizontal adapter Catchlights suggested.

Better still if you have a tripod with the horizontal bar built in. Don't need to buy anything else.

--------

If you need ideas, here's a setup I just tested:
- Tripod with center column in horizontal mode
- Wooden board on a stepstool

 

[JacePhoto]

Don't try to make a simple thing complicated.

Wood surface is a wooden shelf from ikea. It is unmounted on the wall and lying flat on the floor. You don't need to raise the tripod any higher. Open the tripod over the book on the floor.

If you want to shoot the surface of your table, put your tripod on the table. If it requires support, use chairs to do so?

 

[Mythmaker]

I bought my extension arm at Orient Photo at $65 last time.

 

[cjl]

I bought my extension arm at Orient Photo at $65 last time.

Hi, can I know what is the brand of the extension arm and the model?

 

[Mythmaker]

Hi, can I know what is the brand of the extension arm and the model?

Jusino VH-28

looks like this:

 

[cjl]

If you check out youtube, quite a number of ppl do it by building a frame out of pvc pipes or wood. I suppose they want something quite permanent, not for a one-off shoot. So makes sense if they don't want to dedicate a tripod just for that..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23SEJLMuN9s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ4ORaQLx9g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJII4skebms

The most budget one I've ever seen utilizes an existing shelf above the workspace:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3do9zeMwKk

Just thought of another cheap (and easily removable) method for a temp setup. Can also try a tension mounted pullup bar in a doorway, then use a suitable clamp (gorillapod or the like) that supports your setup weight. You can slide the table into the doorway. Downside: limited working space, limit access in/out of the room.

It doesn't have to be high. You can 'cheat' by using a piece of wood on the floor to simulate a table. That way, you can easily use your tripod on the floor with the horizontal adapter Catchlights suggested.

Better still if you have a tripod with the horizontal bar built in. Don't need to buy anything else.

--------

If you need ideas, here's a setup I just tested:
- Tripod with center column in horizontal mode
- Wooden board on a stepstool

Hi,

What are the brand and models of the light source thats attached to the tripod?

Mind sharing?

Thx!

 

[kandinsky]

Hi,

What are the brand and models of the light source thats attached to the tripod?

Mind sharing?

Thx!

Those are Aputure Amaran AL-H198 LED panels.

http://www.aputure.com/blog/2014/09/12/amaran-h198-cri95-led-light/