tripod height

[Richard in Idaho]

I know that a tripod that puts the view finder near eye level would be the easiest to use but!

When taking photos do any of you find you want the camera closer to the ground?

I am looking at the Gitzo explorer. except for the CF versions they are not very tall without the column fully extended. Would love the GT2532EX but the GT2932EX is a lot less money.
If I found myself used it at a lower height anyway i would rather save the money and get the 2932.
What are your thoughts?

Thanks

[Wilt]

Too many photographers simply stand straight and expect the camera at that height on the tripod, rather than selecting the elevation which creates the BEST COMPOSITION ! That could be taller, it could be much closer to the ground, than the photographer's eyeball elevation when they stand.

[René Damkot]

Agree 100% with Wilt.

[twiggles]

Too many photographers simply stand straight and expect the camera at that height on the tripod, rather than selecting the elevation which creates the BEST COMPOSITION ! That could be taller, it could be much closer to the ground, than the photographer's eyeball elevation when they stand.
+1 more vote. I sometimes find myself going the boring route when I have my tripod out i.e. eyelevel shots. Its weird, because we all spend soooo much money on tripods, but sometimes end up not fully utilizing their full capabilities. I now make it a conscious effort to try a new angle/configuration with my tripod everytime I have it on a shoot. This"exercise" tends to make me focus on composition and really go for the best shot, not just the most comfortable tripod position!

[twiggles]

Sorry, in my rambling, I forgot to respond to the OPs original question. My advice is get a tripod that goes both higher AND lower than you think you will need. The minute you skimp on this, you will have that great shot that you missed because of your tripod's inflexibility.

[JohnJ80]

Agree 100% with Wilt.

Me too.

BUT - it's really great if you can get it to eye height without stooping over.

J.

[_aravena]

Its weird, because we all spend soooo much money on tripods, but sometimes end up not fully utilizing their full capabilities.

Thus why I don't spend so much money on them! :D I'm just getting into landscapes and I don't have the free time for sunrises and I've overdone sunsets around here. My tripod is so I can be int he photo or create stability for "macro" shots. I will invest in something better when I make decent money and what not. Luckily I got to Amvona before they went expensive.

[Canonswhitelensesrule]

Of course I adjust my tripod level to give me the best composition possible for the current photograph I want to take, but all tripods are capable of doing this by simply adjusting the length of the legs.

However I think it's also important to have the capability of being able to stand straight in comfort, and NOT have to crouch down to look through the camera's viewfinder if you want to take a photograph at your eye level. You can always shorten the legs to bring the camera closer to the ground, but you CAN'T add length to them at their maximum extension if the camera is still not at eye level, and you need/want it to be.

Remember also, most if not all Gitzo tripods (without a center column, or center column removed or even reversed) can extend practically flat or close to ground level, as can most of the Bogen or Manfrottos. So again, getting closer to the ground to me isn't as important than being able to stand up straight without having to crouch, if you need/want to take a picture at your eye level.

Of course this all depends on one's individual height. I'm 6'1" btw.

[Maxdave]

Of course I adjust my tripod level to give me the best composition possible for the current photograph I want to take, but all tripods are capable of doing this by simply adjusting the length of the legs.

However I think it's also important to have the capability of being able to stand straight in comfort, and NOT have to crouch down to look through the camera's viewfinder if you want to take a photograph at your eye level. You can always shorten the legs to bring the camera closer to the ground, but you CAN'T add length to them at their maximum extension if the camera is still not at eye level, and you need/want it to be.

Remember also, most if not all Gitzo tripods (without a center column, or center column removed or even reversed) can extend practically flat or close to ground level, as can most of the Bogen or Manfrottos. So again, getting closer to the ground to me isn't as important than being able to stand up straight without having to crouch, if you need/want to take a picture at your eye level.

Of course this all depends on one's individual height. I'm 6'1" btw.

I'm 5'10" ... I agree completely. My Giottos is tall enough I can stand in comfort, but I can always drop it down. When I made my purchase, the height without centre column extension was the primary measurement for me ... it had to allow eyelevel viewing, but I also made sure I could adjust it to being used much shorter.

Reading the responses I will be reminded again to always check if a lower shooting position is also an option ... the lazy route is to just stand up straight!

Maxdave

[Richard in Idaho]

Thanks everyone. Will buy one that will let use it at eye level with little or no column.