TALL Tripod so see over people's heads!

[DavidPartington]

The last two weddings I did i was unable to capture the B&G entering the Wedding Breakfast because there was no where in the entry path to place a camera.  Sounds hard to believe I know - but these were relatively small rooms completely full of tables & of course people standing and clapping.   The only place to put a camera was at the back of the room (which turned out OK for the speeches).   

My tripods only go up to about 64", and even then I have to pull the legs in a little. 

I am looking for a tripod that is maybe 80" or higher to the base of the camera.    Any ideas?    Oh, and I don't want to spend a fortune either - so no $5K tripods please

Any one seen anything like 'tripod leg extenders' or other ways to lift a standard tripod higher without taking more floor space?   

While the second camera starts out in the hallway and follows them in, it's really frustrating not being able to catch them from the front/side.

[BillGrant]

DAvid, I use a Bogen 3021 which has an extending center column, I think it gets upwards of 7.5 feet. So tall I have to reach al the way over my head to reach the camera. I have found that it gets over even the tallest of crowds... I think they're about $100. Consider buying used. Tripods are built like tanks, they last forever.
BIll

[HankCastello]

Bogen is sold by Manfrotto in the States.  I use a 3051.  It goes seven feet high, weighs fourteen pounds (!) and has quick-release levers to extend or collapse the tripod legs in a snap. Costs $400 with shipping, as I recall.
More info at B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554073-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_058B_058B_Aluminum_Studio_Pro.html#specifications

But even this can't beat my Pro-Am camera jib with its twelve foot boom!  The jib is reasonably priced at Bargain Camera -
http://www.bargain-camera.com/store/home.php  Cost around $400 (get the extra 4' extension)

[DavidPartington]

Bogen is Manfrotto in the UK, so I will look out for these models.  Thanks.

Interestingly I was in B&H in early December (waded through all the snow to get there!), described what I wanted (tall tripod) and the guys there couldn't come up with anything that high - or I would have bought it on the spot!

The Wedding we're doing on Saturday (16th Jan) has a massive room and only 56 guests - which will be interesting - and this would at least provide room for a jib, but then again there is room to put my tripod(s) pretty much anywhere too!     OTOH the bar area is as small as the dining area is big, and getting the reception atmosphere shots is going to be another one of those challenges we all love to hate  

I love the idea of getting a jib (always have) but I don't think they would go down too well at UK wedding receptions - and certainly not in the church!   They may come in handy for some events I am quoting for, but I am also quoting for a batch of green screen stuff which is going to require investment in more lights instead.  Hmmm....

[HankCastello]

I've never had much trouble finding a place for my jib at receptions.  Once or twice, I had to have a table or two moved a little bit to make enough room.  Usually I find a nook in a corner or along back wall that overlooks the dance floor.  I run this camera continuously and it really helps me to synch up the other tapes.

[Waldemar]

I modified a couple of three step home utility ladders to allow a camera platform at about 8' or so.  It works really well, except for two issues.
1) i'll need add a video monitor shelf because when the camera is panned 180 degrees behind I cant see the camera's LCD monitor.
2) I made the modification too solid!  Any slight shift of body weight on the ladder is immediately reflected as camera shake.  Gotta solve this issue with some kind of shock mount for the camera.  No reasonable ideas have come to mind as yet.  Perhaps a video mount for a motorcycle?