Q RE Benbo 2, Uniloc 2300 for low level close up macro work
Discussion
2 replies
Posted by Larry Corbett on October 2, 2007 at 4:23 AM
I currently have 3 tripods
Uniloc 1220 + Arca-swiss B1Q ball & socket head
small and compact, which is great for low level macro work but not great for anything above about 4ft
Benbo 1 (modified) + gitzo 3-way pan & tilt head
which I have sawn the centre column down to about 6 inches to allow the use of a gitzo 3-way pan & tilt head at ground level or as near as I can get, unfortunately the tripod is no good for anything above about 5ft, I mainly use this combination nowadays to support my 300/2.8 / 500/4 in the hide for bird photography, and for stalking with a big lens at somewhere like bradgate or donna nook
Gitzo G1325 Carbon fibre + either gitzo 3-way pan & tilt head or Arca-swiss B1Q ball & socket head
which is a brilliant tripod as it can be used 6" above the ground to 6ft in the air, unfortunately it has IMHO one major drawback, lack of stability in grass due to it's weight which is about 2kg, which may seem alot but this tripod just doesn't feel as solid a platform as a benbo does in the grass.
For some time I have been thinking of adopting the Arca-swiss B1Q ball & socket head as my everyday head and reserving my 3-way pan & tilt head for use in the hide as it's much better than a ball & socket when panning with a big heavy lens.
To go with my b&s head I was thinking of getting a new Uniloc 1600 (similar to benbo 1) which will extend (comfortably without raising the centre column too much) to around 5'6"ish....
...or I was thinking of the Uniloc 2300 (benbo 2) which is a giant and will exend well beyond 6ft, but will the legs be too long for low level close up macro work.?
I thought that this might make a good all round tripod for everything from low level to high level photography and offer the stability I need.
Unfortunately you just can't go along to your local jessops and test expensive specialist photographic gear, you either have to take a chance and buy it hoping that your judgement was sound or you have to ask lots of questions to like minded people, I can't afford to take a chance.
Has or is anyone currently using the larger Benbo 2 / Uniloc 2300 tripods for low level macro work?
Your advice and thoughts on this matter would be greatly appreciated!?
I have a large Benbo 2 which I did use for macro water/mud/sand work. I have shortened the center column to about 5 inches in length, just using the legs for height adjustment.
Whilst the Tripod is very good for its flexability you have to be careful when you put it close to the ground because the legs are long (two stage tele) even when collasped to their shortest.
I don't use this tripod anymore, prefering the G1228 because of its weight on a long hike across the mud flats, so if you want it you can have it for £40 and I will meet you somewhere convienient.
PS as with all my kit it is in very good condition.
Hi speed graphic do a replacement plate for the benbo centre column completely removing it which allows you to put the tripod completely flat to the ground you can put any head you like on the flat plate I purchased 1 a few years ago and modified a mark 1 Bembo.
Discussion
2 repliesUniloc 1220 + Arca-swiss B1Q ball & socket head
small and compact, which is great for low level macro work but not great for anything above about 4ft
Benbo 1 (modified) + gitzo 3-way pan & tilt head
which I have sawn the centre column down to about 6 inches to allow the use of a gitzo 3-way pan & tilt head at ground level or as near as I can get, unfortunately the tripod is no good for anything above about 5ft, I mainly use this combination nowadays to support my 300/2.8 / 500/4 in the hide for bird photography, and for stalking with a big lens at somewhere like bradgate or donna nook
Gitzo G1325 Carbon fibre + either gitzo 3-way pan & tilt head or Arca-swiss B1Q ball & socket head
which is a brilliant tripod as it can be used 6" above the ground to 6ft in the air, unfortunately it has IMHO one major drawback, lack of stability in grass due to it's weight which is about 2kg, which may seem alot but this tripod just doesn't feel as solid a platform as a benbo does in the grass.
For some time I have been thinking of adopting the Arca-swiss B1Q ball & socket head as my everyday head and reserving my 3-way pan & tilt head for use in the hide as it's much better than a ball & socket when panning with a big heavy lens.
To go with my b&s head I was thinking of getting a new Uniloc 1600 (similar to benbo 1) which will extend (comfortably without raising the centre column too much) to around 5'6"ish....
...or I was thinking of the Uniloc 2300 (benbo 2) which is a giant and will exend well beyond 6ft, but will the legs be too long for low level close up macro work.?
I thought that this might make a good all round tripod for everything from low level to high level photography and offer the stability I need.
Unfortunately you just can't go along to your local jessops and test expensive specialist photographic gear, you either have to take a chance and buy it hoping that your judgement was sound or you have to ask lots of questions to like minded people, I can't afford to take a chance.
Has or is anyone currently using the larger Benbo 2 / Uniloc 2300 tripods for low level macro work?
Your advice and thoughts on this matter would be greatly appreciated!?
I have a large Benbo 2 which I did use for macro water/mud/sand work. I have shortened the center column to about 5 inches in length, just using the legs for height adjustment.
Whilst the Tripod is very good for its flexability you have to be careful when you put it close to the ground because the legs are long (two stage tele) even when collasped to their shortest.
I don't use this tripod anymore, prefering the G1228 because of its weight on a long hike across the mud flats, so if you want it you can have it for £40 and I will meet you somewhere convienient.
PS as with all my kit it is in very good condition.
T
Phillip.