Tripods for macro work

[Gue Jam Fowsid]

Greetings,

I am looking to get a new tripod to assist in macro work as my current one isn't really the one for the job. I've been looking at the Manfrotto 190 range as the 190pro got the thumbs up in a recent article that I read. My budget is approximately £100.

Any feedack about experiences, or the pros and cons of specific models would be greatly appreciated.

[matt_xyz]

I was also recently after a tripod for macro work and also wanted to spend around £100. Originally I was looking at the manfrotto range, but many of the more affordable ones couldn't get down very low to the ground. In the end I went for a Velbon as it was more versatile. The centre column splits into 2 meaning you can effectively remove the bottom half. With the legs outstretched wide, the tripod can then get very low to the ground. It also has a higher reach than many of the Manfrottos as well (165cm I think). This is the one I went for;

VELBON 600 Sherpa Inc head for £89.99 at Jacobs Digital Photography & Video

It feels heavy and solid, but admitedly not quite as solid as the Manfrottos. But I asked myself how solid it needs to be. It will hold my camera/lens perfectly still and comes with features which I couldn't afford in the Manfrotto range. It's already given me some pin-sharp macro shots so is perfectly up to the job.

Matt

[Olly]

Not a big tripod user but read some good reviews of the Benbo Trekker for macro as it is completely flexible.

They also do a mini trekker with shorter legs.

May be worth a look.

Olly

[richardkm]

Originally Posted by Olly

Not a big tripod user but read some good reviews of the Benbo Trekker for macro as it is completely flexible.

They also do a mini trekker with shorter legs.

May be worth a look.

Olly

I agree with Olly.

You will be very frustrated if you try using the 190 for macro work (I have one for my scope) because you just can't get the legs and camera into the right place. With the Trekker (or Uniloc equivalent) you can spread the legs exactly where you want them, then position the centre column in the best place for the camera - even below ground level if your subject is in a dip. The Manfrotto 460mg head is ideal because it allows 3-way movement and there's no long handle to get in the way. I've found it the ideal combination.

[Jon]

I have a Manfrottto 055CLB and a Benbo Mk1, both are good, the former is lighter but the latter is more flexible. I once said if you get a Benbo Mk1 I would never need another tripod, I suppose that is true but they can be cumbersome at times, still that is the price for flexibility. I have no experience of the lighter Benbo but I would image they would be good provided they are heavy enough to dig through tufts of grass etc to make a firm base.

I have even used lightweight mickey mouse tripods for macro work and kept hold of the camera and lens, this works too as I usually use flash. This year I am also going to have a concerted effort at macro with a mono pod.
Jon

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

I agree with Ollie & Richard with the benbo. I use the trekker for all my macro work.It's light enough to carry all day ( the benbo 1 is HEAVY!!) and rigid enough to hold my sigma 180mm.Try to get one without the 90 degree joint near the head though.I have a ball & socket head fitted as it's more flexable than a pan & tilt.

neil

[richardkm]

Originally Posted by wildlifesnapper

Hi

I have a ball & socket head fitted as it's more flexable than a pan & tilt.

neil

The problem I have with the ball & socket head is that it is difficult to move the camera in one direction only. Once the b&s is loosened, I find that the camera wants to go any which way, which is why I prefer the 3-way head, but the 460mg is not like the usual 3-way, it has control knobs for each direction, so I can move the camera precisely. Another useful tool is the Manfrotto (other makes are probably available) sliding plate adapter, which allows small back and forth movements of the camera.

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi Richard,

naa , too many knobs to loosen & tighten

I've used a B&S for years and I find it quick and easy. I guess it's just a case of what each person likes and gets used too.

As long as we all get plenty of piccies

neil

[richardkm]

This is my setup:





I also add a right-angle finder for really low work

[Kev Lewis]

Manfrotto do a 2 piece centre column that allows you to get down to ground level with most of their tripods and it's standard on some of their models. I've recently switched to the Gitzo range of tripods because they are more sturdy (but more expensive) This is my current macro rig, but I'm playing with a pair of flashguns mounted on brackets with homemade softbox diffusers at the moment to eliminate the odd lighting the ring flash gives with the Canon MP-E65 macro lens or Sigma 150mm macro. I use a manfrotto 3 way geared head and a micro positioning slide to get the views I want. It takes time to set up but the image detail is well worth losing alot of images.