Bet you didn't know it could do this! Manfrotto don't seem to. I've seen loads of reviews for the XProB series of tripods, and they've all said that a disadvantage of them is that you can't invert the central column for extreme, low-level shooting.
You can you know...
Before you do this, a quick disclaimer. If you damage your camera using it like this, it's not my fault. Be careful, and remember to lock the column in the normal manner. Otherwise you'll drop your camera on its head. And there's a slight possibility that the safety button will be dented too (I don't actually believe that part, but I have to cover my bases). If it is,then that won't be my fault either. However, mine is undamaged, and has been for the last year and a half that I've been using it like this.
The first step is to remove the central column. To do this, raise the column up to its maximum height. Push the button at the end of the column, as if you are about to swing it to the horizontal position.
Push hard enough, and the safety button will retract enough to slide through the pivoting collar.
Otherwise, use a finger to push the safety button down, while pulling the column straight up. You should be able to remove it quite easily.
Now, swing the column upside-down, and align it so the the safety button lines up with the collar notch. Make sure the collar is in the vertical position. Push and hold the safety button, and push the column into place. Release the button when it passes the collar.
You are now free to use the column in the inverted position. Simply reverse the steps to return it to the upright position. It may seem fiddly at first, but with a little practice, the process is quite quick, freeing you up to lie face down in the mud to get some really low angles.
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