Tripod for Macro purposes

[jenesaispas]

Can anyone recommend a strong, sturdy tripod that wont break the bank and is not really freakin' tall? As hinted by the title, it will be used for macro. I'm not worried about weight. nothing cast iron pliz lol.

[Addicted2EOS]

Provide us a target price range and you should get more responses.

[jenesaispas]

I would say 100-200 bucks. but of course if I can get quality for cheaper that's great!

[Addicted2EOS]

OK, making progress.
I assume you need the head as well? Is that included in the $100-200?

[jcothron]

I don't recall the price, but RRS makes a very small tripod just for macro work. I believe it's made entirely of aluminum...with a very short maximum height, yet able to get down to ground level.

Here it is.. I like it, but as with most RRS stuff, the price is steep ($375).

[Addicted2EOS]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/150472-REG/Cullmann_CU_3335_Universal_Macro_Tripod.html#speci fications

How about the above tripod at B&H??

[mknabster]

I would recommend the Giottos MTL series (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Giottos+MTL&ci=8159&N=4294204162&Ns=p_PRICE_2|0). I have an older MT9180 with the MH-5001 series head, and it's amazing when doing macro work. The reason why I like it is being you can take the center column out and spread the legs out allowing the tripod to be a few inches off the ground. It is a heavier tripod, but it is extremely stable, and has so many possibilities. There was one time that I too the column out, and put it upside down in the tripod, so my camera was upside down under the tripod, the images had a neat look to them.

[jenesaispas]

OK, making progress.
I assume you need the head as well? Is that included in the $100-200?

I would include the head in that price yes.

[jenesaispas]

What do you all think of Gorilla pods?

[jcothron]

What do you all think of Gorilla pods?

I've never used them, so can't offer a good opinion. I'd be concerned over them sagging with a heavy rig (even is slowly) but don't know it would happen.

[jenesaispas]

as far as weight goes, I would be shooting a 40D with either a 100mm 2.8 macro or the 17-40mm 4 L dont have any auxiliary flash equips yet :( all in due time though school billz are the priority...you know know the deal...

[RPCrowe]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/150472-REG/Cullmann_CU_3335_Universal_Macro_Tripod.html#speci fications

How about the above tripod at B&H??

I would recommend staying away from tripods which incorporate leg braces from the legs to the center column. These make the tripod quite difficult, if not impossible, to reach low heights for shooting and are generally not able to place the camera/lens in the positions usually necessary for macro photography.

I have a Giottos MT-8180 tripod which is wonderful for macro work because it can get really low and it is also articulated to that you can place the camera/lens just about any place you need it. The MT-8180 has been discontinued and, as a carbon fiber, tripod; it was fairly expensive.

However, there are Giottos tripods made of aluminum which are less expensive but, also have the articulating capability such as the 9371B.

http://www.amazon.com/Giottos-3-Section-Compact-Aluminum-Supports/dp/B00215SY8W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1267235531&sr=8-2

here is the Giottos web page:

http://www.giottos.com/

[Jon]

What do you all think of Gorilla pods?

Think of them more as controllable beanbags than as free-standing tripods. I use the SLR-Zoom and really, that's how to use it.

[mknabster]

What do you all think of Gorilla pods?

I have a Gorillapod Focus with a Giottos ballhead, and it really can't support the weight as they say it can. Like the picture of the L lens they sell it with, if it can't handle my telephoto, there's no way it can handle that. But for macro work, which is what i use it for, it's good. I use it for more table top work and that's where it shines.

[RWatkins]

I use a 30$ Sony tripod

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-VCT-R100-Lightweight-Compact-Tripod/dp/B000EFIJTA

I got it initially as a travel tripod, but it seems to work well enough for most things including macro work.

[kanewtz]

I use a 30$ Sony tripod

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-VCT-R100-Lightweight-Compact-Tripod/dp/B000EFIJTA

I got it initially as a travel tripod, but it seems to work well enough for most things including macro work.

Do you think this tripod is sufficient for just normal everyday and quick shooting? How much can it support? I am looking to purchase a table top tripod for just when I am somewhere and would like a quick stead shot.

I purchased the Gorillapod SLR but it is not "heavy duty" enough for my gear.

I also like that is comes with a carrying case.