I want to get higher, and higher....any suggestions?

so, not weed related...but i'm looking to try and get elevated shots...i don't know why, but it's all i've been thinking about for the last 4 days...it seems as though the majority of elevated/aerial photography discussion is centered around real estate...not sure why nobody thinks about it for landscapes, but i see it giving a different perspective than the normal shots from everyone else...so here's my thoughts:

there's the megamast 25ft tripod, but it's $700, and I can't justify that

there's using a paint pole which ranges from 16-23 ft, and can be had for relatively cheap with a $20 adapter...only issue is you have to hold the pole, and do everything on your own

there's also elevator/contractors/l​aser tripods, which i'm seeing go up to about 12ft...seems to be available for $150 or so...seem solidly built, and i'm right now thinking that that would probably be the best option

and then there's the random DIY part of me that's wondering if i took the base of a laser tripod, and found a way to attach the painters pole in the center if i could get that little extra length out of it

lastly, yes i know there are drones and believe me i kinda want one...but it seems like there are so many restrictions as to where you can take them, so i'm thinking of this as an alternative to a drone, where i can legally get away with it

any advice/tips/suggestion​s? or is everyone just going drones nowadays

Drones are less expensive than a Canon lens and will record 4K, and are so much more maneuverable and versatile in my opinion. Today was the first time I had dedicated time (1 hour or so) with my new DJI 4, and it is quite a bit of fun. Now I just need to memorize the 77page regulations and take the test...

TeamSpeed wrote in post #18323076
Drones are less expensive than a Canon lens and will record 4K, and are so much more maneuverable and versatile in my opinion. Today was the first time I had dedicated time (1 hour or so) with my new DJI 4, and it is quite a bit of fun. Now I just need to memorize the 77page regulations and take the test...

yeah, my buddy got a mavic pro, and just watching him fly that thing around with ease was cool(i had been thinking of the DJI 3 for cheap, but now i'm not sure)...it's just that there is so much area around me where they aren't allowed...the crazy thing is that the majority of the time i'm at these spots where i'd want to use them there's nobody else around anyways.

I neet to shoot from high up in order to get proper images of birds that nest up in the trees.

After a lot of trial and error, I finally discovered that using an orchardist's ladder works quite well. Orchard ladders are typically made of aluminum, and are very light compared to other stepladders. I have a little Toyota Corolla and have no difficulty whatsoever carrying it atop the car, with the aid or a roof rack made by Yakima.

The reason that the ladder is so far superior to a very tall tripod is that in order to have the greatest control over the composition, you will want to actually be behind the camera looking through the viewfinder, and be in a position where you can make tiny little adjustments in camera position with your own hands, instead of with some type of remote device.

I drilled a hole in the top of my orchard ladder and ran a stainless steel 3/8" bolt up through it. I can mount either my Indoor ballhead or my Wimberley gimbal head to the 3/8" bolt. So, with the camera mounted to the ladder in this fashion, the ladder actually forms a tall tripod that you can stand on, enabling you to hold the camera in your hands and look through the viewfinder.

This gives the most precise degree of control when one is extremely nit-picky about composition and does not want to have to crop off one single pixel in order to get exactly the framing that is most desired.

My ladder is a relatively short 12 foot tall version, which fits nicely atop my small car. Lightweight aluminum orchard ladders also come in 14 foot and 16 foot heights, which would fit great atop a pickup truck or a sports utility vehicle.

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I have always thought about bringing a ladder to places, i can see the benefit for nest sites especially...my thought on this though is more for landscapes, and some of them are very hilly, which i think would be difficult to accomplish with a ladder...as for composure, i feel like the tilt of the camera would be the main thing to figure out, i can do any other adjustments from below with the wifi app, and can just rotate the whole set up to change the composure

It's seeming to me like the contractors tripod may be the way to go, get my feet wet with it all, it would be about 12ft up, which is certainly a different perspective than the typical 5ft or less

I built a platform on top of my 4Runner. Standing up there puts camera level at about 11-12 feet. Used 2x2 deck rail boards as the frame and 5/8 dog ear fence boards for the deck. Tied it straight to the factory roof rack with hex bolts and fender washers. Cost about 14 bucks.

Haven't put my c-stand up there yet, but it would get the camera about 17 feet off the ground.

I have a telescoping paint poll too but have never used it for anything other than knocking cobwebs from the eaves of the house. Pretty sure my Kupo baby pin to ball head adapter that I use on my c stand would slide right on there.


Competely agree that having a higher vantage point is essential in many situations.

DreDaze wrote in post #18323369
I have always thought about bringing a ladder to places, i can see the benefit for nest sites especially...my thought on this though is more for landscapes, and some of them are very hilly, which i think would be difficult to accomplish with a ladder...as for composure, i feel like the tilt of the camera would be the main thing to figure out . . .

Stability on hillsides and camera tilt are no concern whatsoever if you use an orchard ladder. They are made for use in orchards, which are often located on steep, hilly terrain on mountain foothills.

Orchard ladders have three legs, and are easy to set up on hills. You just position the legs so that the horizontal bars (steps) are level. The third leg, the one without the steps connected to it, is attached via a pivoting joint, so that the angle of the pivot is fully adjustable, so as to account for varying degrees of hill steepness.

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DreDaze, you left out remote viewing which is essential. I use CamRanger and that narrows the options when choosing a rig. Also have a Mavic, but licensing and insurance are essential. As noted, a $4500 DSLR+lens combo on a pole versus $1200 drone is not a clear choice. Each has different factors depending on the outcome you seek. If you work commercially, the return on investment is clear. If not, the DIY approach is reasonable and part of the reward itself.

Licensing is $5, and take about 10 minutes or so, if you are doing it for your own enjoyment. Also, you can get a Phantom 3 with 4K video and a 3 way gimbal for $550 directly from DJI. I plan on doing the commercial license by taking the $150 test though, because I have many opportunities in the area for this kind of service.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #18323437
Stability on hillsides and camera tilt are no concern whatsoever if you use an orchard ladder. They are made for use in orchards, which are often located on steep, hilly terrain on mountain foothills.

Orchard ladders have three legs, and are easy to set up on hills. You just position the legs so that the horizontal bars (steps) are level. The third leg, the one without the steps connected to it, is attached via a pivoting joint, so that the angle of the pivot is fully adjustable, so as to account for varying degrees of hill steepness.

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hmm, yeah i've seen them around, but didn't really think about it like that...another thing after looking around for them, they seem to be priced closer to $300 or so for anything taller than 10ft...it would be one thing if i had land, and could use a ladder around the house, but i'm in an apt. so i'd have to store it somewhere...i could always put it at a family members house, but that just seems like it'd be more of a nuisance

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #18323405
I built a platform on top of my 4Runner. Standing up there puts camera level at about 11-12 feet. Used 2x2 deck rail boards as the frame and 5/8 dog ear fence boards for the deck. Tied it straight to the factory roof rack with hex bolts and fender washers. Cost about 14 bucks.

Haven't put my c-stand up there yet, but it would get the camera about 17 feet off the ground.

I have a telescoping paint poll too but have never used it for anything other than knocking cobwebs from the eaves of the house. Pretty sure my Kupo baby pin to ball head adapter that I use on my c stand would slide right on there.


Competely agree that having a higher vantage point is essential in many situations.

hmm...i have a 4runner too...and i'm a carpenter, so building something would be pretty easy...i'm almost thinking if i did a couple of platforms that basically just fit over the factory rack, and i could store them in the back, and just put them on top...that being said, i've already stood on top of it to get a few shots, but it makes me think if i went up 12ft on top of that i'd be even higher up ....only issue there is the fact i have to be near a road

NDAPhoto wrote in post #18323445
DreDaze, you left out remote viewing which is essential. I use CamRanger and that narrows the options when choosing a rig. Also have a Mavic, but licensing and insurance are essential. As noted, a $4500 DSLR+lens combo on a pole versus $1200 drone is not a clear choice. Each has different factors depending on the outcome you seek. If you work commercially, the return on investment is clear. If not, the DIY approach is reasonable and part of the reward itself.

my 70D has wifi, and it's probably the one i'd use...unless i were to get a EOSm2, which also has wifi...so the remote viewing/shooting is fine with any option...i don't even know if i have $4,500 worth of all my gear...but i've got enough to get some photos...that's the thing, i already own all that

and yeah, i shoot for myself, so the only person i'm looking to please is myself...i know at some point i will own a drone, they're just too cool not to

TeamSpeed wrote in post #18323599
Licensing is $5, and take about 10 minutes or so, if you are doing it for your own enjoyment. Also, you can get a Phantom 3 with 4K video and a 3 way gimbal for $550 directly from DJI. I plan on doing the commercial license by taking the $150 test though, because I have many opportunities in the area for this kind of service.

yeah, and the standard P3 is only like $350...don't know if i really need 4k...but watching my buddy with that mavic...it looked like fun, and it's super compact...and of course after checking out the price of them at bestbuy, i get an email saying they're doing 24month no interest for a limited time...

I have thought about it for a while for different perspective never got any serious in actually doing it.

I would also check out mathews, lot of nice equipment for movies etc which can handle lot of load if needed. Here is a 15 feet stand for little over $300.

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …yword%7D&is=REG​&A=details

20+ feet for < $500.
https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …7Bkeyword%7D&Q=​&A=details

And there are drones as mentioned.

You can always get a balloon and mount a camera to it. I've seen kits that are essentially blimps with gimbals for aerial photography.

This photo was a 7D with a 8mm fisheye, hoisted up on the end of a mono pod, held at arms length - possibly ~14'

(yeah, I know, the lens was fogged)

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/fCiG​ft

so for now i ordered this:
https://www.amazon.com …age_o00_s00?ie=​UTF8&psc=1

my boss has maybe a 14-16ft painters pole, so i'm going to see about attaching it to that before delving into anything more expensive

i can also use the laser tripod we have to see if there's anyway i can make it so the pole is stabilized on a tripod like that

Is that a 1/4-20 thread? I'd think you'd want a 3/8 to mount a ball head.