Overhead photography

Hi chaps, not really over HEAD but really over table ... I want to shoot a dish of food from above (so the plate is a perfect circle) I don't have one of those excellent benbo tripods ... with my regular one I can tilt the camera down so it's 'looking at the floor' but the legs get in the way when I try and get it over the table top, I did a search and came across an extension bar (from an American site) but it cost a fortune for what it was, I suppose with a bit of effort and a piece of angle iron and a bolt or two and a heavy weight I could rig one up but wondered if anyone had come across a more elegant solution ? ... regards Roger

You can find used copystands for under $100 sometimes if you check your local classifieds. You can also reverse the column on some tripods so that the camera is hanging under the tripod. If you're looking to buy a new one, tripods like the Manfrotto 190XPROB can have the center column put in a horizontal position. The DIY solution is always going to be the cheapest solution.

You could also experiment with different lenses in different positions. Shoot tighter or wider and crop out what you don't want in the frame. If your lighting is good, you could get away with just hand holding while standing on a chair.

klr.b wrote in post #12868283
If you're looking to buy a new one, tripods like the Manfrotto 190XPROB can have the center column put in a horizontal position.

This was going to be my recommendation too. The tripods are really easy to use and the center column can just be extended and dropped down horizontally to shoot straight down at objects.

Thanks chaps - I'll maybe start looking out for a Manfrotto 190XPROB ... good of you to take the time ... Roger

You could always make a setup with a Manfrotto Magic Arm. That would probably be cheaper than a new tripod (especially if you already own a tripod).

tristinGrind wrote in post #12871605
You could always make a setup with a Manfrotto Magic Arm. That would probably be cheaper than a new tripod (especially if you already own a tripod).

Not really. The tripod is just under $100 after the rebate. The Magic Arm still needs a Super Clamp which would be more than the tripod at regular price.

BH sells a kit that would make it cheaper than a 190 not on sale... I didnt know it was on sale so you would actually save $15 going the new tripod route. I guess I just used what I had already instead of buying another tripod... I already had the super clamps and magic arm from my automotive rig setup.