Macro tripod advice, please!

Magpie70

Magpie70

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Mark
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Oh oh, just bought another lens off Ian Kerso (Canon 180mm macro). Of course I totally blame TP for introducing me to this nice man. :lol:

I really intend on using this lens for bugs and flowers over the summer. I intend to get a dedicated tripod for this purpose and have a budget of about £400-£500 for a tripod and head. Does anybody recommend a good set up for macro work that will enable me to use it low down?
Any advice would be appreciated, Mark.:)
 
Mark,

I'm sure there are plenty of options to look at but I sought out a Gitzo 2227. Most tripods have a centre column that extends vertically but the 2227 (and 2228) have an offset column that can be angled outside the spread of the legs. I found that I frequently disturbed things by having to stick the legs of an ordinary tripod into the bushes to get close enough....this isn't a problem with these two models. They're lightweight carbon fibre construction and easy for taking walkies whilst having a hook on the opposite end of the column that can take a counter-weight if you're extending a long way from the legs.

There's a couple on Ebay at the moment....expected to pay £200-250.

Bob
 
I've just brough a manfrotto 190XPROB tripod with a Manfrotto 322RC2 head for around £160 from Digital Depot. The tripod has got the centre column that can be trurned sideways and really low. Saw it demonstrated at DD when we had a tea break during their recent macro course!
 
Thanks Bob and clive, I will look into what you recommended. Good to see that I shouldn't have to pay as much as I first thought.
Cheers, Mark:)
 
A macro focussing rail would also be a good investment if you've got some cash left over.

Bob
 
go for the manfrotto at £160 and buy yourself another lens.
 
Magpie70 said:
Thanks Bob and clive, I will look into what you recommended. Good to see that I shouldn't have to pay as much as I first thought.
Cheers, Mark:)
Click to expand...

Thats just for the legs though.
A decent ball head such as Markins M10 will add another £250 plus. Pricey but better than skimping now and spending again later.
 
I have a Manfrotto 190, and I find it tricky to use with the centre column upside down, its usable but not ideal, I'm continually faffing through the legs for knobs and buttons, often its quite difficult to get my eye on the viewfinder.
Some other awkwardnesses are there, but it depends on the positioning, high/low bar, spread legs/not spread legs, it isn't my choice for macro.
The Benbo Trekker looks like a much more suitable and adaptable tripod for macro, I don't have one, but I'm giving it some serious thought, the 190 gets on my nerves a bit.
Benbo has an infinitely adjustable centre column, gets the camera out and away from in between those legs.
When shooting in studio, say on a table, you cannot get an ordinary tripod to shoot from directly above it because the legs or centre column will only go up to the table edge.
Anybody who's spent any time with this carry on will know exactly what I'm talking about.

benbo_7964.jpg


Imagine this ^ tripod with a centre column, and where the camera would be.
Can't recommend it because I don't have one, but it looks a much easier operation than my 190.

*makes note [read Bobs posts fully in future]*:lol:....sorry Bob.
 
I bought one of these for when macro requires a low position, it really does make things easier and is suitable for most cameras as it comes with a load of different sized fittings. The 2x optical view is helpful in getting the focus spot on too ..

Linky

Gary :)
 
I don't use a tripod at all for macro work because without a rail system the adjustments on the tripod head are all in the wrong plane ie you need to move focus into or out of the object.
I just use a monopod which I find light and easy to carry around.
 
Magpie70 said:
Oh oh, just bought another lens off Ian Kerso (Canon 180mm macro).
Click to expand...

Beautiful lens. The working distance means that you don't need to get *that* close to the ground.

Magpie70 said:
Does anybody recommend a good set up for macro work that will enable me to use it low down?
Any advice would be appreciated, Mark.:)
Click to expand...

I use a Manfrotto 475B with the 180. It's bombproof and has a geared column which is very useful for this sort of work.

tripod.jpg


In this picture, it has the Manfrotto Geared Head (not the smallest head) and is fixed to the lens mount (which also moves it away from the ground). This puts the end of the lens 42cm from the floor. On a flat surface with the 180, you are looking at an image 65mm across on full frame. In real life, the tripod sinks into the countryside and the subject isn't on the floor, so you will be considerably closer.

Hmmm.. lets just check that. Switching to my 468MG hydrostatic ball head, mounting the camera to the tripod instead of the lens brings the working distance down to 29cm and full frame of a ruller on the floor is 41mm.

All this means that in theory, you can't get maximum magnification of something at ground level, but in practice, you need to lift the camera on the geared column to focus on a daisy...

The head is one that you should consider, the Manfrotto 405 geared head. This is a bit of a mixed bag. If you are doing 5x macro with the canon 65mm macro, it is invaluable to be able to adjust the position very carefuly. on the other hand, you can't lock the 405 in position. There is a bit of play and you can't lock it out. I wouldn't be without it for the 65mm but it might be a little over the top for only 1x.

The other thing I've got is the Manfrotto macro rail. I don't like it at all - far too much slop and play. I might get a "really right stuff" one at some point.

Andrew
 
I use a uni-loc 1700. Very similar to the benbo.. (bent bolt)

but you can remove the column and remove one of the legs....(allen key provided) put the 2 together and hey presto.... a monopod at no extra cost.

Had mine 16 years now.....

Dave.
 
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