Step Ladder/Stool Advice

[Pedro R. Hernandez]

I was wondering if anybody here has any experience using a step ladder or stool to shoot over track-side fencing. I was looking at some of the options available to me at my house, but have noticed that they don't provide me with much stability while standing atop and some are just far too heavy to carry for long distances while carrying my camera gear.

The tracks I usually shoot at are Homestead, Sebring and Daytona and all feature fencing (especially Daytona and Homestead) that is about 6 1/2' high in certain areas. If any of you know of a light, easy-to-carry platform that is stable enough for panning shots and tall enough to clear the fences then please, let me know.

Thanks,

- Pedro

[Todd Corzett]

When I was on the other side of the fence I used something like this:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41lu%2BIj9mnL._AA400_.jpg

What is nice is that you can put it over your shoulder and walk with it. It also is high enough to get over most fences (from the top step - while leaning on the fence - I was able to shoot over >6' fences). Now I've only used it at Laguna Seca, so can't really comment on getting it into other tracks. It isn't light, but because I can keep it over a shoulder I can keep both hands free for other things. Something like a step stool may be able to be lashed to a backpack easier though.

Honestly though, I would work on getting inside the fences :D

-Todd...

[Dennis Murray]

What Todd posted is what I use in several places at Road Atlanta and also for high school baseball. No ladder is going to be real easy to hand carry all day all over a track but if you have a car or cart it works fine.

[Jason T. Barker]

http://www.charlestonsound.com/gallery/drywall/stilts.jpg

I have discovered it's rather difficult to find a monopod tall enough though :D

[Brent Smith]

I use a step ladder similar to what Todd has shown. It isn't the greatest but it works. I'd like to find something a bit lighter/more compact however, it is a real pain to carry around places like Watkins Glen.

As long as you're on semi-even ground though a ladder like that will work fine. It takes a few times to get used to but after that you should be fine.

[Justin Miller]

The only bad thing about those step ladders is at daytona there is a lot of soft sand around the fence line which makes leveling and balance hard due to the legs sinking into the ground. i don't know where it came from but there's a small bench i use and it's legs fold up. it's a bit heavy but does the job.

[Justin Miller]

Since were talking about shooting on the wrong side of the fence, i have found it pretty hard to find good locations to shot from at daytona,
so calling all people that are going to be shooting from the outside, where do you guys shoot from?

[Steve Stein]

I have one of those Rubbermaid ones with two steps and it has wider feet. I've only used it at Mid-Ohio, but it is a bear to carry around all day when it's hot. I'm trying to rig up some kind of strap to it. Just what my back needs.

I'm kind of wondering the same thing about the fences at Sebring but I hear there's some spectator mounds that get you over the fence views. I'm sure they're be nobody up there the day of the race.

[Justin Miller]

yea the fences aren't really a problem anywhere at sebring. it's more the people.