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06/03/2006 09:08:14 AM · #1 |
Hi,
I've set myself up to begin learning about macro photography. I'm using the D50 at the moment (will upgrade to D200 at the end of the year), however, I need to purchase a reasonable tripod for macro (and landscape I guess...) photography. I've been looking at Velbon and Slik tripods. I have around $100-120 (US) to spend, but I just can't seem to find any good reviews about the multitude of tripods I have to choose from. My main requirements are that it be very stable, have a very low minimum height (something like 20cm) and preferably a ball head. Has anyone got any recomendations?
Thanks so much again to DPC and all the users here! |
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06/03/2006 09:20:50 AM · #2 |
i believe the 190cl (?)bogen (aka manofrotto) go right down to ground
as well you can flip the head to hang upside down ..
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06/03/2006 09:23:49 AM · #3 |
| There are no reasonable, good tripods for $100-$120 that you won't be swearing at shortly after purchase. Read Tripods and Ball Heads by Thom Hogan and be prepared to spend as much money for the tripod as you did for the camera. But console yourself that it is a once in a lifetime purchase, unlike the camera. |
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06/03/2006 09:33:20 AM · #4 |
Thanks guys,
Unfortunately... I don't quite have the money to fork our for a really good tripod at the moment. I'm just looking for something to get me started so I can continue to pratice. If I wait a month I may be able to spend around $200. But for anything more than that I guess it will be a year or more, so I'd like to get something now to keep me going.
Cheers. |
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06/03/2006 09:34:37 AM · #5 |
The Manfrotto 190 PRO, as state goes right to the ground (center column can be removed and put in horizontal position). With a good ball head it will run you around $200 - $250.
You'll probably be very frustrated with a tripod that doesn't have legs that can be set independantly of each other. |
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06/03/2006 10:00:22 AM · #6 |
Shalrath,
Many threads have been written on this subject. Many here have concluded that a Bogen/manfrotto 3021 pro with a ball head will and has served them very well. It is also within your buget next month. I will provide links shortly.
3021 pro
488RC2 ball head
There are other leg/head combinations that may get closer to your exact budget. Often you can get items on sale at local camera stores and there is always ebay. The above combination (3021pro + 488RC2) was obtained for around $220 US.
Message edited by author 2006-06-03 10:12:35.
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06/03/2006 12:23:54 PM · #7 |
If you are going to be doing macro photography, you HAVE to have a decent tripod. It doesn't have to be a $1000 one - but a cheap one will be simply useless, because they don't meet your "stable" requirement well enough.
When doing macro, one millimetre of movement (1/25" for anyone in a backward country still using imperial measurements) is enough to make significant differences to composition and focus - and the cheap ones WILL move around. They'll shake a bit, or gradually droop/slip, or not let you position the camera quite where you want it - to the point where you will give up in exasperation and conclude that macro isn't for you, when in fact it could be.
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06/03/2006 01:22:21 PM · #8 |
I just recently acquired the manfrotto 3001bpro with the 484RC2 head. I have frankly been stunned at how much more stable this is than the inexpensive tripod it replaced. I did some time-exposure shots one night this week in moderate wind and ended up with some brilliantly crisp shots.
If I had more weighty camera / lens combo, this head would probably be insufficient, but for me, it works very well.
the bhphoto link is
here |
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06/09/2006 03:02:02 AM · #9 |
| I bought the 3001ProB with a 488RC2 ball head. It's a dream compared to my old tripod. Thanks everyone for your help. |
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