One of my macro set-ups

[macromike]

I needed the full control that I get with my ball head and focusing rail mounted on a table top tripod. But that just doesn’t work (to big). Full size tripods that have horizontal axis collapse small enough and work just find but that takes time to set up and are cumbersome to work with. I needed something I could set up fast and position easily it also had to be sturdy with the ability to hold a lot of weight. This is what I came up with and it works very well for the type of shooting that I do.
First you are going to need some supplies:
1. One square brick.
2. 3/8 “ all thread(just a piece of threaded metal)
3. One flat washer get one that has a 3/8 center whole. Should be the same diameter as the bottom of your ball head.
4. Epoxy. I used the 5 minute kind.

Now just drill a 3/8” (masonry bit) whole in the middle of the brick, half way through. Now cut a piece of the all thread so that it is long enough that it sticks up ¼” above the washer. Glue the all thread in the brick with the epoxy. Put washer over all thread and epoxy to the brick. Let epoxy dry and you are done. (I gave it 24 hrs.)
I find that that sometimes it can get me into places that a tripod cant. Of course you could use sand bags, but you don’t have the precise movement that you do with the ball head and focusing rail that you need for composure and focusing. It’s not tippy at all; you can put the camera into any position with no camera shake. When you need to set up quickly this works really well.

[PWhite214]

Wow, great idea. I am sure that I will have to try this. Thanks

Phil

[spazoid1965]

Great Idea. But I guess it's only for use around the house. I'd hate to try to put that in the camera bag. I wander if they'd let you on an airplane with that?

[Heretushi]

Do they allow bricks in airplanes? If so, they should allow that in the bags area.

[mipo]

You can pre-ship by courrier

But seriously I have to try it.
Thanks for sharing that idea.

[beek]

Fantastic idea

[daft_biker]

I just use my tripod on it's side and put my bag on top of it. Instead of opening the legs of a tripod just lay the legs along the ground....saves carrying a heavy brick about the woods! (although as I don't use a centre column I can usually get low enough using the tripod normally)