redfordl Loc: Carver,Ma.

saw a video by mike moats a pro at macrophotography sponsored by vanguard where he recommends the new vanguard 263 2 plus tripod for macro use. But in the reviews for it , one negative comment was the poor design of the vertical column which you can swing out horizontally for macro use as it is unstable. I personally have the older model and yes the column when extended horizontALLY SEEMS A bit unstable. Thus need recommendations for a tripod for macro use and also landscape use. I know some of the manufacturers are going to the columnless tripod such as induro(and others) which some pros are using. What sayeth thou my friends on this topic?

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Consider the source. Yes he is a pro at macro BUT is now a salesman for Vanguard. For maximum stability go columnless and carbon fiber. Also use a remote to trigger your camera.
My 2 cents.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Learn how to focus stack or use this:

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/B150-B-Ultimate-Pkg-Two-B150-B-Rails

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

If you check the reviews it has a design flaw.
I bought B150B Ultimate Package some time ago, but I haven't used the rails until few days ago when I bought an excellent sturdy tripod TVC4 model. Both rails have a big movement issue and when you try to focus at 5X to take multiple shots (focus stacking) if by mistake you jump too much and if you want to go back to the initial position if you rotate backward the noob then the subject will be out of the view because of this movement issue. I am very disappointed about this product, I thought RRS are doing only premium products but it seems that I was wrong, they are doing expensive and untested products. I've spend 650$ for a bad designed product!

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

The best tripods to use for ANY photography are carbon-fiber, which does not transmit vibrations as well as the aluminum alloy tripods. Costs are from around $500 up.

As for center columns, while they appear to offer some benefits, they do present the problem of instability when the camera weight is not centered over the tripod. This includes the columns that can be raised for added height. The best solution is to buy a tripod that does not have a center column, has sufficient height so you can raise it up to suit your height, and whose legs can be adjusted so that they are sitting flat on the ground. This puts the camera at a fairly low position, from which you can adjust where the camera is pointing. For above-the-subject shots, a good tripod will allow an adjustment where the camera is pointing pretty much straight down - a notch in the ball head housing works for this, and still keeps the camera weight near the center.

One brand that is considered by many to be a "gold standard" is ReallyRightStuff. On their website you can find information about how to choose a tripod, both for its height and for its use, as well as for the camera/lens combination to be used on it. Not inexpensive, but such high quality that they are worth it, and customer service is excellent. Other brands also highly regarded are Gitzo and Feisol with somewhat different price points. Everyone has their favorites, but research will help to determine what has the quality and value you seek.

If you do a lot of macro, a wired remote is handy to have. Even pushing the shutter button can result in vibrations and some blur in images. Works good for landscapes, too. I have often framed the shot I want, then stood there with the remote in my hand waiting for the light to change to what I want! Don't have to keep my eye on the viewfinder...

Hope this helps.
Susan

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Have you spoken to RRS customer service about this issue? They are very good at solving problems and if the item is defective they will accept it as a return or an exchange. They value their reputation and stand behind their merchandise.

Not sure how you reached the conclusion that their products are untested! Perhaps they do not test every single unit, not too many companies do, but they would not put it on the market if it had not demonstrated the ability to do the job for which it was intended...

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

I have one of those older Vanguard carbon fiber tripods with the extendable center column. I used it quite a lot for macro and didn't have any stability issues because I always use a remote shutter switch or 2 second delay. That said, I still took a hacksaw to it and, for me, it works much better mainly because I can get it fully on the ground now when needed. I don't miss the extentable column at all.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Susan, I was responding to a comment that was made by a UHH. I went on RRS site and found many customer reviews that criticized the product he suggested.

I have RRS products and like them.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Depending upon your BUDGET..very key consider GITZO Carbon Fiber
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1328228-REG/gitzo_gk1555t_82tqdus_traveler_tripod_kit_gt1555t.html

and at the other end buy good quality Sirui:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1024704-REG/sirui_bsret2204_carbon_fiber_tripod.html

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

The way you posted the comment, it looked like it was your own! If there are many customer reviews like that, RRS undoubtedly knows about the problem already.

Not knowing it was not your personal comment, I sent a note to RRS to let them know what had been said! However, if they respond, it will let the OP know how they feel about their products and quality. You and I know how good the company and their products are, although this one product may very well have some design flaws...

Susan

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

What subjects are you shooting? What camera/lens are you using? What is your total budget for a tripod and head?

Bill Munny Loc: Aurora, Colorado

A Manfroto 055 CF has great side stability. The center post adjusts to 90 degrees and the whole tripod is exceptionally stabile. It will not twist or shake in the wind and since it is carbon fiber, does not weight as much as most others equal to it's stability. Remember that the twisting and shaking motions are what you are trying to mitigate and a lot of the tripods out there do not do well with the twisting motion. It is a little pricey but so is quality. Why would you trust thousands of $$ on a tripod you bought because it cost less. This is just one of many great tripods out there. Good luck in your search.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

There a numerous add-ons for tripods like that, just add one of those to your most stable tripod and your're good to go (if you like gadgets like that)!

redfordl Loc: Carver,Ma.

And what addons are you referring too!!

redfordl Loc: Carver,Ma.

Thanks for your tips susanne on how to select a tripod. Have you had any experience with the induro tripods which matches the Rss tripods in quality. Varina and Jay patel professional photographers landscapes etc. use the induro brand and are not sponsered by them. They highly recommend them and the one recommended by varina is in the 350$ range.