Could anybody offer any advice on a good tripod for macro photography? My current tripod (don't laugh its a Slik 88 I bought donkeys years ago!) is very limiting when trying to get close to the ground because of the centre post and although this can be removed I find it a bit of a pain. I have been thinking of a Benbo Trekker - but have a vague recollection of reading somewhere that they can be a pain to use. Can anybody confirm or refute this?? Any other brands I should consider?
I seem to do pretty well with a Manfrotto 055PROB. It flatten to the ground, the cenre column is an option and can be threaded through sideways for direct over-head shooting. I use it with a focussing rail for easier manouverability. The Gitzo 13XX series is also very good for low ground work.
I know someone who had a benbo and likened it to "...trying to assemble a set of bagpipes made of scaffold"
It depends a lot on the weight of your gear, and how far you are going to walk with it!
The Trekker is a decent enough tripod, but is fairly lightweight, has small diameter leg sections, and has a small platform for a ballhead. If your gear is heavy - eg L lenses, then you may find that you can't get a stable enough platform to stop vibrations. I haven't used my Trekker for 3-4 years now.
A far better (IMO) tripod would be to look at the Uniloc tripod range - they are the same sort of design as the Benbo, but have a variety of small design changes that mean they're much more usefull. They're also heavier than the Trekker (as are the Benbo 1 and 2!). You still have to be carefull with them as it is very easy to loosen the centre bolt and have the whole lot collapse on you - using them can sometimes be like wrestling with a reluctant deckchair , and they can bite too (BTW Elliot, your friend must have never owned any Bagpipes - they're much easier beasts to control - and they don't bite )
You could also go for something like the Gitzo 1325 series without a centre column - they allow you to (almost) get down to the ground, but you can't do the gymnastic contortions that are possible with the Uniloc/Benbo's.
I use a Manfrotto 190PRO tripod which like the 055PROB the centre column can be removed and inserted horizontally which gets you pretty low when the legs are splayed out to their lowest setting. I also bought a short column for my 190 which is good for when I want the tripod low but with the ball head still upright.
Other than that use a beanbag.
Also consider the AngleFinder attachment to avoid having to stick your face in cow pats all the time.
I have a Benbo Trekker which I use occasionally for macro photography. I wouldn't really recommend it because, as you say, it is very awkward to use (setting it up can be a nightmare). However, in its favour, it is very versatile as the legs and centre column will move into practically any direction. If I ever had to replace the Benbo I would probably look at something like the Gitzo Explorer series (see Warehouse Express).
Like Sean, I also use a Manfrotto 190pro. It will go very low to the ground, which can be a great advantage. The centre column can also be mounted horizontally, but I have never found this to be particularly useful because the weight of my camera and lens tends to make the whole thing overbalance easily.
Personally, I use the Manfrotto tripod much more. However, this is because I only occasionally venture into macro photography, and usually use the tripod for landscapes, etc.
If you've got any particular questions about the Benbo then please get in touch...
Hi Dennis
I've used a Uniloc for several years, and found it excellent and versatile at getting your lens down and up-close. They are easy enough to handle once you get the hang of them! If this is your choice make sure you get a ball-head sturdy enough for your set-up.
I still tend to take the Uniloc out if I'm just expecting to do macro stuff, otherwise I use the Gitzo 1325 which has no centre column and will go almost flat. Big difference in the price though - the Uniloc was only about £120 including a light-weight ball-head, may be a bit now I guess.
Thanks for the help guys - I think I have ruled the Trekker out now - patience is not one of my virtues so this is probably not the tripod for me! Looks like the Manfrotto of Gitzo with a suitable head - and there's another expensive minefield!
Benbo Mk1 have 2 of them I don't know why people find them awkward to use, if you have the centre leg slightly longer than the two outside ones they are as easy if not easy to use than the normal tripod, slackened the bolt hold outside legs 1in each hand put your toe behind the centre leg and then just pull backwards with both hands, then spin the centre coloum to wherever you want and tighten the bolt.
Hi Dennis I Have been using a mk 1 Benbo for 24 years bought from Kennet Engineering the people who designed and sold them. Still in use, spares are easily obtained and once you get the hang of using them you will wonder what all the fuss is about just ask Bob Gibbons about Benbos THEY ARE BRILLIANT if a tad heavy especially when your getting on a bit
Discussion
8 repliesAny advice gladly accepted!
cheers
Dennis
I know someone who had a benbo and likened it to "...trying to assemble a set of bagpipes made of scaffold"
It depends a lot on the weight of your gear, and how far you are going to walk with it!
The Trekker is a decent enough tripod, but is fairly lightweight, has small diameter leg sections, and has a small platform for a ballhead. If your gear is heavy - eg L lenses, then you may find that you can't get a stable enough platform to stop vibrations. I haven't used my Trekker for 3-4 years now.
A far better (IMO) tripod would be to look at the Uniloc tripod range - they are the same sort of design as the Benbo, but have a variety of small design changes that mean they're much more usefull. They're also heavier than the Trekker (as are the Benbo 1 and 2!). You still have to be carefull with them as it is very easy to loosen the centre bolt and have the whole lot collapse on you
You could also go for something like the Gitzo 1325 series without a centre column - they allow you to (almost) get down to the ground, but you can't do the gymnastic contortions that are possible with the Uniloc/Benbo's.
Other options include the humble beanbag
I use a Manfrotto 190PRO tripod which like the 055PROB the centre column can be removed and inserted horizontally which gets you pretty low when the legs are splayed out to their lowest setting. I also bought a short column for my 190 which is good for when I want the tripod low but with the ball head still upright.
Other than that use a beanbag.
Also consider the AngleFinder attachment to avoid having to stick your face in cow pats all the time.
cheers
Sean
I have a Benbo Trekker which I use occasionally for macro photography. I wouldn't really recommend it because, as you say, it is very awkward to use (setting it up can be a nightmare). However, in its favour, it is very versatile as the legs and centre column will move into practically any direction. If I ever had to replace the Benbo I would probably look at something like the Gitzo Explorer series (see Warehouse Express).
Like Sean, I also use a Manfrotto 190pro. It will go very low to the ground, which can be a great advantage. The centre column can also be mounted horizontally, but I have never found this to be particularly useful because the weight of my camera and lens tends to make the whole thing overbalance easily.
Personally, I use the Manfrotto tripod much more. However, this is because I only occasionally venture into macro photography, and usually use the tripod for landscapes, etc.
If you've got any particular questions about the Benbo then please get in touch...
John
I've used a Uniloc for several years, and found it excellent and versatile at getting your lens down and up-close. They are easy enough to handle once you get the hang of them! If this is your choice make sure you get a ball-head sturdy enough for your set-up.
I still tend to take the Uniloc out if I'm just expecting to do macro stuff, otherwise I use the Gitzo 1325 which has no centre column and will go almost flat. Big difference in the price though - the Uniloc was only about £120 including a light-weight ball-head, may be a bit now I guess.
Colin
once again thanks for your input.
dennis
Phillip.