Tripod for Studio, Macro and Still Life
Feb 8, 2018 05:29:21 #
no center column for me, Check out MT Shooter's Camera Cottage http://www.cameracottage.com/apps/webstore/
Feb 8, 2018 05:29:35 #
no center column for me, Check out MT Shooter's Camera Cottage http://www.cameracottage.com/apps/webstore/
Feb 8, 2018 08:00:34 #
I do landscape and macro and just purchased the Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ from Adorama. The center post can be tilted in it's housing to easily position your camera over difficult to reach subjects. The 3 section aluminum legs sell for $159.99 on sale, the carbon fiber is $299.99. I also use an Acratech Ultimate ball head which has a 45% angled housing that gives unlimited frontal movement. Check them out. I also agree with the other respondent who said loose the center crank idea.
Feb 8, 2018 08:37:07 #
MEB540
Loc: New Jersey
I agree with your original request. I use the Manfrotto 475B Pro Geared Tripod, which is heavy duty with a geared center column. This tripod is rock solid, but very heavy. It also has the capability with the center column raised to reach almost 8' high. This is the tripod that Karl Taylor uses. He does carry it into the field, but is to heavy for me to do that very far from my car.
Feb 8, 2018 09:03:48 #
MEB540
Loc: New Jersey
Sorry, the model I have is the Manfrotto 058B Aluminum not the 475B. The unit I have has a great leg extension system, three buttons located at the head used to extend and retract the first section of legs.
Feb 8, 2018 09:39:59 #
DennisC.
Loc: Antelope, CA
imagemeister wrote:
If weight is mostly not an issue and you have a lower budget consideration, I like the Manfrotto #475b
https://www.adorama.com/us%20%20%20%20933605.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiIL764GV2QIVBEGGCh2yQwCZEAUYAyABEgJg2PD_BwE
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https://www.adorama.com/us%20%20%20%20933605.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiIL764GV2QIVBEGGCh2yQwCZEAUYAyABEgJg2PD_BwE
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I used the older version of the 475b (3035) for years, starting around 1984. Over the years it held my Hasselblad, Mamiya RZ pro II, Pentax 6x7, 4x5s and Nikons. The geard center colum is very strong on that tripod. I have even used it to hold up my old flip up garage door to change the springs. I now have the 58b for commercial work, it’s big and heavy but the automatic legs are awesome.
Feb 8, 2018 09:51:35 #
I've got a couple of different pods. One bigger, sturdier one for studio still life & a CF travel pod from 3 Legged Thing. I seldom use the pods. I do shoot a lot of macro, but seldom utilize a tripod since most of my subjects are mobile & have moved on by the time the pod could get set up. Thus I shoot my macro hand held. I am another adherent against the use of a center column, upright or otherwise as they do affect the stability of your shot. Maybe if you used one of the older, heavy wooden ones it would be OK, otherwise I personally don't extend the column. As for leg locks, there are pros & cons to both twist & flip locks. My studio pod has flip locks, my travel pod has twist locks.
Feb 8, 2018 10:07:08 #
Feb 8, 2018 10:40:54 #
carl hervol
Loc: jacksonville florida
You don't need to buy new check out craiglist i picked up a manfrotto 3040 tripod with a 3030 head for 40.00 in great shape this combo sells new for about 300.00. Just take your time and keep looking . 
Feb 8, 2018 11:22:23 #
latebloomer
Loc: Topeka, KS
speters wrote:
Fisrt off, a tripod is not really that much needed for doing macro (as most of that is done hand held), but the worst thing would be to crank/lift the center column, that totally counteracts using a tripod in the first place!
What?? Tripod not needed for macro? This is a huge mistake.
Feb 8, 2018 11:25:04 #
Look at my Flickr stream. Almost none of them involved a tripod...Here is a sample pic, handheld. Had I set up a tripod, it would have been gone by the time I was set up...
latebloomer wrote:
What?? Tripod not needed for macro? This is a huge mistake.
Feb 8, 2018 11:30:50 #
latebloomer
Loc: Topeka, KS
speters wrote:
Fisrt off, a tripod is not really that much needed for doing macro (as most of that is done hand held), but the worst thing would be to crank/lift the center column, that totally counteracts using a tripod in the first place!
This is wrong. I wish every tripod question could have Gene51 recommendations attached to answers. Thinking back to my college physics, I know he is right. It's vibration that is the problem.
Feb 8, 2018 11:37:58 #
Handheld macro is wrong?
latebloomer wrote:
This is wrong.
Feb 8, 2018 11:38:02 #
latebloomer wrote:
This is wrong. I wish every tripod question could have Gene51 recommendations attached to answers. Thinking back to my college physics, I know he is right. It's vibration that is the problem.
IMO, it is poor connections and a lack of mass ...no college physics for me - school of hard knocks ...
Feb 8, 2018 13:55:12 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
Screamin Scott wrote:
Handheld macro is wrong?
Your body will absorb vibrations better than any tripod. The key is to hold the camera steady. Not always easy, of course, and takes lots of practice.
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