Platypod - Wildlife gimbal with Flying Disc and Bob Coates
Words and Photos by Bob Coates, A Platypod Pro
Edited by Eryka Bagwell
"When photographing wildlife, especially birds, the less you are noticed the better the capture of behavior. Which brings me to a different way to mount your gimbal. Setting up your gimbal on a Flying Disc allows you to lay on the ground which makes you almost invisible to your avian friends. While many tripods will enable you to get your camera low to the ground the multiple legs make it difficult to change your position. The Flying Disc mount slides along the ground. Laying on the ground gives you the lowest profile possible and the sliding option enables you to move closer to your subject."
Putting it together
"Here are the parts you need. Flying Disc, Platypod eXtreme, Platypod spigot adaptor with 3/8 to 1/4 inch reducer, three 1/4X20 stainless steel rounded hex head bolts with rounded caps and a gimbal. Optional - Focusing rail if you have a long lens that extends a fair distance."
"You’ll need a drill with a 1/4 inch bit and a hex head wrench."
Flying Disc gimbal mount…. Here the gimbal is shown in mounted form.
Platypod parts…. Things you’ll need. Flying Disc, Platypod eXtreme, Platypod spigot adaptor with 3/8 to 1/4 inch reducer, three 1/4X20 stainless steel rounded hex head bolts with rounded caps and a gimbal.
Wildlife tripod in use… Here is the Flying Disc tripod in use. The Flying Disc allows for sliding of the camera forward and back without catching on the ground and getting stuck.
"Mark two back holes and one front middle hole and drill 1/4 inch holes. Place the eXtreme over the drilled holes and feed the 1/4 inch stainless bolts through the Flying Disc and thread until tight. Add the stainless caps. Add the spigot adaptor with reducer. Mount the gimbal. Mount your camera. With a super long lens that extends to throw off the balance you might want to add a macro focusing rail to make it easier to balance the camera and lens."
"Depending upon your gimbal design you may not need the use the spigot adaptor. I find that it moves the camera view to just the right height."
"Not only does using the Flying Disc gimbal mount setup allow you to move closer to your target, you achieve a more intimate view when photographing from eye level."
Yours in Creative Photography,
Bob Coates - A Platypod Pro
You can view more of Bob Coates' incredible works by visiting his website and/or his Instagram page.
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