Floor tripods

Ground tripod, stable base for low-angle shots

Anyone who has ever tried to place a camera directly on the ground knows: it’s not really comfortable or secure. A ground tripod solves exactly this problem and offers you an extremely low, yet surprisingly stable platform for your camera, your lens, or a tripod mount. Especially in macro photography, for nature shots in the grass, or in damp mud on the lakeshore, a ground tripod plays to its strengths and ensures that your perspective is truly at eye level with subject details such as blossoms, insects, or textures in the ground.

Many models are surprisingly light, in some cases well under 500 g, and still very robust. A ground tripod distributes the weight reliably thanks to a large contact surface, regardless of whether it is made of aluminum, plastic, or wood. This keeps your gear secure even on soft surfaces such as beach sand, meadows, snow, or forest floor. Especially if you are outdoors frequently and don’t want to carry a large three-legged tripod every time, a compact ground tripod is a very practical addition to your camera bag.

Typical classics include, for example, skimmers, ground pods, or special ground platforms such as Eckla Camdisk and Ecklasphere, which have proven themselves in wildlife photography for years. A ground tripod is not only interesting for professionals, but also for anyone who simply wants to experiment. New angles, unusual image compositions, very steady long exposures close to the ground – all of this becomes much more relaxed and repeatable with a suitable ground tripod.

Ground tripod for macro, nature, and video

Especially in macro photography, a ground tripod is almost something of an insider tip. When you photograph tiny subjects, the slightest movements are enough to blur the image. With a stable ground tripod, you can align your camera to the millimeter, focus in peace, and then release the shutter with complete ease. A ground tripod is also a very sensible solution for video recordings from an extremely low perspective, for example when you are filming a product, an instrument, or a detail on the ground, because it enables smooth, ground-level camera movement without you constantly having to contort yourself.

Camera tripod, versatile support for any shooting situation

In contrast to a pure ground tripod, a classic camera tripod covers a larger height range and is therefore significantly more versatile. A good camera tripod ensures blur-free shots for long exposures, night photography, architecture, or product photography, and supports you wherever you don’t want to shoot handheld. Many photographers combine a standard camera tripod with an additional ground tripod in order to reliably cover both high and extremely low perspectives.

A modern camera tripod is often made of aluminum or carbon and offers a well-balanced mix of stability, weight, and portability. Depending on the area of use, you can choose a lightweight travel camera tripod or a particularly robust model that safely supports heavy cameras and telephoto lenses. In combination with a ground tripod, this creates a very flexible set that allows you to cover virtually any perspective from ground level to above head height without constantly having to compromise on stability.

Those who spend a lot of time in nature often use a camera tripod for classic landscape shots, while the ground tripod is responsible for details on the ground. The two complement each other sensibly and ensure that you can capture both wide panoramas and small structures such as moss, stones, or tracks in the sand professionally. Step by step, this creates a well-thought-out set of tripod solutions that matches your personal photographic style and truly helps you in everyday use instead of just sitting in the cupboard.

Combining camera tripod and ground tripod effectively

If you already own a camera tripod, it is especially worth taking a look at the various ground tripod variants. Many photographers eventually realize that while their camera tripod can theoretically be set very low, handling it close to the ground still remains awkward. A separate ground tripod is often the more pleasant solution, because it is specifically designed for these extremely low perspectives. Together with your existing camera tripod, you get a very flexible system that works reliably both in the studio and outdoors on the beach, in a meadow, or in the snow.