jcolton

I have a small tripod that is good for travel but need a tripod that is stable enough for serious macro or low-light photography. I probably would go with carbon fiber. I know little about ball heads. Years ago I had a tripod that had a longer handle that was easier to make fine adjustments than the ball head I have on my travel tripod. Any suggestions?

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

For my macro I use either a Nest 6324CT, Flashpoint 1228N or ProMaster Tabletop tripod. I have a Manfrotto geared head for macro work.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Depends upon your budget. Carbon fiber is wise.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1024706-REG/sirui_bsren2204_carbon_fiber_tripod.html

Load Capacity: 31 lb
Max Height: 65"
Min Height: 6"
Folded Length: 19"

Consider this head:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/966663-REG/sirui_g20x_ball_head.html/pageID/accessory

Separate Knobs for Pan, Tilt, Tension
44 lb Load Capacity
Arca-Style QR Clamp
Includes Quick-Release Plate

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

Check out the Gitzo GT2531 EX. It is extremely flexible for macro work because the each leg will rotate a full 90 degrees. So you don't have to mess with adjusting leg lengths to get in a certain position. Coupled with a ball head and you have a setup that is flexible and fast to position for macro and landscape shooting. It was about $675 when I purchased one a couple of years ago.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I don't use a tripod for any of my macro unless I'm focus stacking...

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

For macro use, you need precision adjustment. I found that ball heads, when you are doing precision work, can "drift" from where you set them. And I am talking about a Really Right Stuff BH-55, the M-1A Abrams Tank of ball heads. It was during a nighttime shoot for the last Blood Moon when I discovered with a Nikon D850 and Tamron 70-200, no matter how I centered the moon in the viewfinder, once I tightened the adjustment screw, the moon would move off center.

I recently switched to a Benro GD3WH 3-Way Geared Head for landscapes and love the precision adjustments that now are possible. It would be ideal for macro use.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Benro and Enduro make the best tripods for the price. Both include a case and tools along with very good customer service.
The carbon fiber Benro TMA 38CL ser3M3 is an excellent example.

GED Loc: North central Pa

If it's within your budget you really can't go wrong with RRS tripods and ball heads. Gitzo tripods are excellent as well. For photographing most subjects the RRS tripod and leveling base has been a real pleasure to use compared to anything else I've used in the past 35 years. Best of luck with whatever you choose.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I was curious how you liked the Benro.

Bipod

Do you carry your tripod long distances?

Be aware that the main advantage of carbon fiber is light weight.
Therefore, it is usd in aircraft; but is not used in skyscrapers or suspension
bridges.

If you are not going to carry your tripod long distances, what really
matters is stability. The most stable tripods in existance are used
by surveyor with laser transits. They are made of fiberglass (the
older ones were made of wood).

In a wind, mass is an advantge. Not only will the tripod not blow over,
but it will do a good job of damping vibration. Inertia is liike gravity:
it's something you can count on.

My most stable tripod -- the one I use for long exposures or heavy
cameras--- is a hardwood and brass urveyor's tripod.

That's an extreme--but there are many options: steel, wood, aluminum
alloy, and carbon fiber--depending on your requirements.

I own about two dozen tripods--from a Servco Surveyor's tripod to a
Stitz CV1000Q pro video to a very light Gitzo Travelerwith a Markin's head.
Each has its uses. I think my favorite at the moment is a Silk U-21 Deluxe--
Japanese9made aluminum alloy.

I suggest you think about how you are going to use the tripod: whether you
will be carrying it long distances, or packing it in luggage, or requring it
to work in windstorms. or to be very stable.

The very best tripod is an optical bench.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'm not a stickler when it comes to tripods, but I do have some good links. : )

http://www.dslrbodies.com/accessories/camera-accessories/tripod-101.html (ByThom)
https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/best-tripod
https://digital-photography-school.com/everything-about-tripods-phil-steele/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIWvjfI_-PA
http://digital-photography-school.com/build-ideal-tripod/
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/5-pros-and-5-cons-of-using-a-tripod/
http://www.lightstalking.com/tripod-heads/

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guide/10-recommended-tripods-photography
https://photographylife.com/how-to-choose-and-buy-a-tripod-for-a-dslr-camera
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guide/10-recommended-tripods-photography

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I almost never use a tripod for macros.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

I bought an Induro carbon with Benro head. Light and easy to use. Mounted a D850 on it with 200-500 lens no problem.

photogeneralist Loc: Lopez Island Washington State

A tripod should be a once in a lifetime purchase. There are many attributes. After stability and solidity, other factors are weight carrying capacity, minimum height and maximum height. (Bending over to use a tripod is a back breaker), minimum size for transport, adaptability to various heads. weight for carrying in the field, Packing it for travel, how you will use it, what do you photograph, where do you photograph. List (On paper) the important attributes you want your tripod to possess. Make a checklist of those attributes against which to evaluate and score each potential tripod. Do your research before you buy so you only have to buy a tripod only once instead of replacing a string of inadequate and cheap junkers which total the cost of a single good permanent tripod.

Consider what your present and future needs will likely be (ie 30 years down the road). Example: I'm tall and have had recent back surgery so a camera height that prevents having to bend over in order to use the camera is important to me.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Me neither. My macro lens has manual focus. For fine focus I move the camera.