Camera mounts for close-to-the-ground scenes?

[ClockworkNinja]

So, short of having a massive budget for a proper steadicam, I'm wondering if there's any options out there for me to mount a camera for shots that are extremely close to the ground without having to straight-up do it myself.

It doesn't need to be anything really fancy, just enough to hold a small handy-cam style camcorder close to the ground so I don't have to constantly stoop over to get the shots I'm wanting. I'm hoping to keep the budget under $100. Any ideas?

[Zensteve]

You can get a mounting bracket like this for about $25: Opteka X-Grip

Lots of people use these for skating videos, or dog's POV shots, etc. Dangle it out the car window. Whatever you need.

[ClockworkNinja]

Originally Posted by Zensteve

You can get a mounting bracket like this for about $25: Opteka X-Grip

Lots of people use these for skating videos, or dog's POV shots, etc. Dangle it out the car window. Whatever you need.

Wouldn't I still have to bend over quite a bit with that though? I'm looking for as low to the ground as possible while keeping the camera reasonably stable.

[Zensteve]

Maybe get a monopod, use it upside down... and flip the video in post? Common tactic, too.

[jax_rox]

We generally use hi-hats for low shots.

If you don't even have the budget for that, then stop complainin' and start stoopin' haha

[ClockworkNinja]

I actually was toying with doing it upside down, but I'd really like to keep the post to a minimum to make sure I get the best quality shot with my equipment. Otherwise I'd just grab my current tripod by the legs and flip it upside down. :v

[jax_rox]

Short of a camera hi hat (not a cymbal hi hat), you could get a table slider

[ClockworkNinja]

Originally Posted by jax_rox

Short of a camera hi hat (not a cymbal hi hat), you could get a table slider

I looked into the sliders a bit, but seeing that some of the shots I had in mind are on a beach I'm not sure how viable that is. (Think ground-level closeup of the ocean water coming in.)

[jax_rox]

I'd do that on a hi-hat.

Or, if the hi-hat was too high, perhaps a shot bag or a cinesaddle.

[David.rhsc]

Shot or Sand bags.

Cine-saddle (expensive) or DIY Saddle with an old backpack full of fluff (whatever is handy) - DO NOT USE T DIY CineSaddle for a car mount. I've seen enough real Saddles rip open on car mounts.

"Pancakes," 1/4 or 1/2 apples.

Really, unless you need to move the camera, just set it on anything that will keep it clean, dry, and stable enough to get your shot (with your hands on it).

If you need to lock it off, things get more complicated, but not by much. Really, unless the camera moves there's no need for a special rig.

[ClockworkNinja]

Originally Posted by David.rhsc

Shot or Sand bags.

Cine-saddle (expensive) or DIY Saddle with an old backpack full of fluff (whatever is handy) - DO NOT USE T DIY CineSaddle for a car mount. I've seen enough real Saddles rip open on car mounts.

"Pancakes," 1/4 or 1/2 apples.

Really, unless you need to move the camera, just set it on anything that will keep it clean, dry, and stable enough to get your shot (with your hands on it).

If you need to lock it off, things get more complicated, but not by much. Really, unless the camera moves there's no need for a special rig.

Well, moving the camera was the idea, actually. Otherwise stooping over for a few seconds wouldn't be an issue. Remaining stooped over for 10 minutes or more becomes decidedly problematic. :v

[David.rhsc]

Originally Posted by ClockworkNinja

Well, moving the camera was the idea, actually. Otherwise stooping over for a few seconds wouldn't be an issue. Remaining stooped over for 10 minutes or more becomes decidedly problematic. :v

I had a feeling movement was important.

Hell, you're on a beach using a lightweight camera, right?

I'd find some boards or plywood (size/shape appropriate to your moves. A long 1"x12" for a long straight move, or a 4'x4' piece of sign board (MDF or something) and use that as a platform for a skateboard or similar (possibly purpose built) device. Being on the beach you can also dig down some to get your platform below the actual sand level, resulting in a lens closer to the ground.

Or something along those lines.

If this is more for general use than for a specific setup, then the flexibility of learning the tripod method might be your best bet. YMMV and all that.

[jax_rox]

Then a dolly with a low mode (maybe a wally dolly?) or a slider..
or a steadicam in low mode..

[that1guyy]

This might work

[ClockworkNinja]

Originally Posted by that1guyy

This might work

That actually looks about perfect for what I need. I was trying to do something similar to my own tripod last night but I couldn't quite puzzle out what I wasn't doing right. Thanks.