Short tripod for ground level macros???

[Sue McB]

I'm looking for recommendations of very short tripod to be used for outdoor macro shots of insects, fungi etc. I use a Canon 550D and EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens, and am finding I have trouble with movement when holding it in my hand....even when lying on the ground and supporting it on my elbows or even the ground.

I would be very grateful for any suggestions I could follow up.

[Jo.T]

Hi Sue,
i got a Velbon ultra maxi mini QHD-51 cant remember the weight rating but it holds my nikon D90 and Tamron 90mm macro no worries your lense is a bit heavier but should be ok. I found it very hard to find a good small tripod that didnt cost the earth very happy with what i got. Gorillapod does have one as well rated to 5kg.
Hope that helps

[sk66]

Well, I would recommend a good tripod that allows the legs to be set "flat" as the best investment.
I have had a Benro "versatile" for quite a while and I think it's great for medium duty and macro stuff.
It has the ability to convert the center column into a "boom".



I have the CF version but it is twice the cost of the AL version. The AL version should be fine. You will also need a decent head for it. I use Acratech, but they cost more than the AL version tripod.

B&H sells the AL version for $141 and recommend a Benro head to go with it (about $200 total)

But I would choose something like this Smith Victor head instead. Just as sturdy, a little cheaper, and Arca Swiss compatible.

So, CF version w/ Acratech was my choice...AL version w/ Smith Victor as a "best bang" choice...

[sk66]

BTW, I am not recommending it because it is cheap....I honestly think it is a great piece of kit... I'll buy another when mine dies...
My other tripod/head combo cost around $1500 retail, and you do "get what you pay for". But, like everything else w/ photography, the cost increase is exponential and you do "pay for the name" to some extent.

BTW, there are some other decent options...I have a Kirk "window mount" which also works quite well as a ground pod. But I very seldom use it anymore (I use a "puffin pad" for thru window and the Benro for ground stuff)

[Sue McB]

Thank you Jo.T and sk66 very much for your suggestions. I shall have to go and find these and have a good look. Have also found a couple more options online to check out too. The Benro looks very like the Manfrotto I currently use, and will investigate it's capabilities further - had never thought of mounting the camera downwards on the central column..not sure if the Manfrotto will do that. The one Jo suggests is the sort of thing I was looking for, and I also found a MightyLow Boy by Kirk which looks good. In the meantime I am going to make myself a beanbag and try that as well - it might just work and will be the cheapest option for now!

Thanks again for your suggestions, your help is much appreciated.

Fractions in Time
Flickr

[katia]

what about a gorillapod?

i scored a VERY good deal on Craigslist.

haven't actually tried it out yet, but they are already short in the first place, and you can bend the legs up to make it even shorter, if need be. or else attach it to a leg of your regular tripod?

[sk66]

I'd probably buy "THIS" before the Kirk mini pod.

There's also the Kirk Low Pod for dedicated ground/tabletop use. And their Window Mount which can serve double duty.

BTW, The legs on the Benro will extend out almost flat making it very stable and low in "boom" mode.

I could probably take a pic for you if you want.

[Sue McB]

Thanks again Folk, all suggestions I shall follow up...I made a bean bag with fabric from an old umberella, so it is mostly waterproof, and that made a difference to yesterday's shots. Somehow I also came across this one online - beautiful, far too expensive for me, and one could even use it as an ornament!

Thanks again.

[Krusty79]

Originally Posted by katia

what about a gorillapod?

I've heard mixed things about them. Someone said if you bend the front legs to point the camera downwards, the legs don't support much weight. I don't know which model they were using, though.

I didn't know Manfrotto made a mini tripod - Amazon.com: Manfrotto 709B Digi Table Top Tripod with Ball Head (Black): Camera & Photo
It looks one of the few mini tripods with a ball head.

[katia]

I think it depends on which model you have. I have the Gorillapod Focus. It can support up to 5kg, but I have the lesser ball head which can only support 3kg, so I haven't pushed it to it's limit just yet