Topic: Smallish Portable Collapsable Platform / Step Stool?

[liveween]

Hello,

The video tripod that I utilize for my wide angles can reach 9 feet in height - this is extremely useful in getting the camera up over the crowd, but poses problems when it comes to altering camera settings and flipping tapes.  I typically use my Pelican 1510 to gain another foot or so of height in order to reach the tape door, but I would LOVE to have a small portable collapsable platform of some type that would support at least 250 pounds and provide at least 2 feet of additional height for me.  Does anyone happen to know of such a product?  Any and all suggestions would be sincerely appreciated - carrying a milk crate around just isn't practical enough!


Take care!

- kobi.
liveween.com

[sunjan]

When I was working for a wedding photographer we used to carry one of these in the field, for those high-angle shots:

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1277478&CAWELAID=109369924

Don't know if it would be safe enough to use in a concert setting with all the hustle and bustle though. YMMV.

Google shopping came up with a few other suggestions:
http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/954310/Cosco-2-Step-Ladder-White-Black/?cm_mmc=Mercent-_-Google-_-Facility_Supplies-_-954310&mr:trackingCode=5B1E6F1B-EC81-DE11-B7F3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2116723&CAWELAID=162294486
http://www.jackstoolshed.com/index/page/product/product_id/2638/product_name/Wide+Stance+2-Step+Stepladder+Stool+-+Safety+Folding+Latch
http://www.shop-com.co.uk/cc.class/cc?main=p&act=34861083%2C45460937&ccsyn=261

[cybergaloot]

http://www.all-wall.com/acatalog/Stilts.php

[dave570]

Funny, but I used to use a milk crate to film shows at the Wetlands in NYC in the late 90s. I put the crate on the seat across from the stage and then taped a phone book to the crate for more camera height. And then somehow I stood on the edge of the crate where the lip was stronger than the middle of the crate without falling off. By the end of the night, my feet were killing me. But it had to be done this way because the Wetlands stage was really low. I needed the extra height without buying a new tripod.

BTW, I did this 3 or 4 times to film Zero and Kimock bands. I literally walked into the club carrying the crate. I wish you luck in your search.

[page]

sift through a good airplane catalog, there are some there. My father got one which has enough room for the front of his foot and gains about 3ft or so, its a baby tripod of sorts, maybe the size of the typical Bogan FOB stand when it folds up. He used it when putting fuel in the (top-wing) plane.

[liveween]

After a week of research, I think I am going with one of these:

EZ Foldz Folding Step Stool

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone!


- kobi.
liveween.com

[cybergaloot]

After a week of research, I think I am going with one of these:

EZ Foldz Folding Step Stool

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone!


- kobi.
liveween.com

Looks like a good solution though I still like the dry wall stilts. If you were to get the air over hydraulic ones you could just rise magically from the crowd! OK, the stool is MUCH cheaper!