Show your tripods if you will. And recommend some. (please)

gardenersassistant wrote:

As far as I can tell most people don't use a tripod for macros/close-ups, so this will be of limited interest.

Almost all my photos are close-ups or macros, depending on how you look at it. I work (very occasionally) up to about 4:1 (scenes about 4.5mm in width), but more usually around 1:1 or a bit more, and often less, sometimes quite a bit less. My subjects are invertebrates and plants; this sort of stuff.

The first two of these images used flash, but I use natural light a lot because I like the look of it, along with very small apertures because I like to get as much dof as I can. So, even though I use quite high ISOs I often end up using slow shutter speeds; 1/20 sec or slower is not unusual. I find a tripod pretty much essential when using slow shutter speeds.

I have a big, heavy tripod with an articulated arm on a reversible central column. This lets me operate from almost ground level to as high as I can reach. It also gives me a certain amount of “reach” over and into bushes etc.

I wanted to buy another of these tripods because this one is starting to wear out, but they are no longer available. I have constructed another one, using a tripod with a rotating central column and a separate (Walimex) extension arm. The tripod happens to be a Cullman, but it could be one of several similar models from other manufacturers.

I use the tripod with two techniques. The “normal” technique is to line up a shot, take my hands away, let the rig settle and then capture the shot(s) using a remote release. I find the air needs to be very still for this to work well and I don't get to use this technique very often (I live in a breezy location).

My usual tripod technique is to keep my hands on the camera and use the tripod to dampen hand shake. This lets me respond quickly, both as to framing adjustments and timing of a shot, when subjects momentarily come more or less to rest in the breeze.

I tend to use the tripod even when there is enough light to use fast shutter speeds, or when I use flash, because I find it helpful in framing shots, especially at higher magnifications. And it is also helpful in holding the framing over a long period (sometimes several minutes) as I take a series of shots, and also when tracking a subject as it moves through foliage and undergrowth. There is a fair bit of "give" in the various joints so when using my hands-on approach I can often make framing adjustments and track subjects by pushing, pulling and twisting the camera without having to pause to adjust levers, screws etc.

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Nick
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gardenersassistant/