Macro Photography Equipment

gilbouk

gilbouk

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I'm finding that my Sirui G-10 ball head doesn't make micro adjustment easy when trying to adjust the position of the camera, and my lens tends to droop which is frustrating, even when my head's adjustment are tightened. What would be a good head to use for insect macrophotography that will hold my body and lens without drooping and is easy to adjust? I've found that moving the subject is easier with my current setup. Also any recommendations on a budget manual macro adjustment rail, and 'third hand'. Any photos of your macro setup would be interesting to see!!
 
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I would suggest to use a geared head… possibly in the forum's classified! :D
 
Probably the best tripod head for macro is the Manfrotto 410 Junior. It's been replaced now with one called the XPRO but avoid that one as it's poor quality and unstable. It's still fairly easy to find the 410s. As for the rail, let me check the name on my setup as I've forgotten what it's called.
 
OK, for a rail, this iShoot rail is not the cheapest but it's certainly one of the best and not the most expensive, either.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112245836543

s-l1600.jpg
 
Out of curiosity - I've found that when I set my camera to ISO 100 it's too dark to focus - so I use a torch to illuminate the subject to allow me to focus manually. I then turn off, or remove the torch - and shoot in the dark with a flash. Is this the correct technique, or do you leave the light you use to focus with on when you take the shot? If so, is a flash necessary when you do that?
 
Gil Bev said:
Out of curiosity - I've found that when I set my camera to ISO 100 it's too dark to focus - so I use a torch to illuminate the subject to allow me to focus manually. I then turn off, or remove the torch - and shoot in the dark with a flash. Is this the correct technique, or do you leave the light you use to focus with on when you take the shot? If so, is a flash necessary when you do that?
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What are you photographing? The only time I've needed to do that was when using the manual everything Laowa 60mm when shooting insects on the move.
 
It's insects I've been doing, but it's been so hard because I have to wait till the insect has stopped moving to get accurate focus. That coupled with insufficient ambient light to focus at ISO100 and a head that doesn't play 'ball' I've really been struggling.
 
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I like my Benro B3 head despite its flaws. It lets me get tripod and head out of the way and camera low enough to make interesting pictures. A bit of a hazle but worth it.
 
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Gil Bev said:
It's insects I've been doing, but it's been so hard because I have to wait till the insect has stopped moving to get accurate focus. That coupled with insufficient ambient light to focus at ISO100 has meant I've really been struggling. I've no equipment other than my lens and my flash, and my tripod and G-10 head
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For insects on the move it can be tough. Often you'll need to focus on something close to the insect in manual mode, then shoot a bunch of images whilst moving slightly back and forth. You can use a flash to help but you'll need to use a good diffuser or build something yourself.
 
Gil Bev said:
I'm finding that my Sirui G-10 ball head doesn't make micro adjustment easy when trying to adjust the position of the camera, and my lens tends to droop which is frustrating, even when my head's adjustment are tightened. What would be a good head to use for insect macrophotography that will hold my body and lens without drooping and is easy to adjust? I've found that moving the subject is easier with my current setup. Also any recommendations on a budget manual macro adjustment rail, and 'third hand'. Any photos of your macro setup would be interesting to see!!
Click to expand...
Much less droop on a ball head if you use a long quick release plate and shift it back or forward to balance the CofG of camera + lens right over the ball -- but that point of balance does depend on the angle of pointing the camera down. Also means you're going to use the lens focus rather than camera shift to nail focus.
 
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