D700 105 f2.8 VR tripod help

Hi All

I need advice on a tripod for D700 105 f2.8 VR

Macro not main use for this lens I bought it mainly for portraits which I love it for.

But now trying out more macro so need a tripod for best results hand held a bit hit and miss.

I want light weight ease of use, movement etc not to expensive (keep the wife happy)
and sturdy.
Thanks
Rob
A few of my last macro shots
Please take a look and loads more in the sets on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jojorob2009/sets/72157621776134046

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Still Breathing

Not sure if you've heard the shorten response to this type of question but:

light, sturdy, inexpensive tripod=not happening. You can certainly buy a light inexpensive tripod, but it won't be very sturdy. You can get a heavy, relatively sturdy tripod that would be relatively inexpensive. Or you can spend the money to buy a expensive tripod that is light AND sturdy.

You can certainly place more value on one of those variables but if you must have a light sturdy tripod, it won't come cheap. Gitzo CF is probably the way to go although there are other brands that make carbon fibre tripods, though I can't vouch for their sturdiness nor would they be "inexpensive" of course it depends on what you're idea of inexpensive is. I'm sure others will chime in about other non-Gitzo brands that are just as good and hopefully in your price range.
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Kelvin

Giottos. Most will suggest Bogen/Manfrotto but the Giottos centre column can be set at any almost angle you wishmaking it excellent for macro unlike the Manfrotto's. Give them a look, I don't think you will be disappointed.

Don't skimp too much. The slightest vibration will ruin a macro shot. That's one of the reasons I prefer the Sigma 150 macro to the Nikon 105 VR - it has a tripod collar.

I use a Manfrotto 055 PRO B with a macro focussing rail. Very solid but a bit heavy. When travelling I use a Gitzo traveller. I've tried cheaper options such as Feisol and Giottos and not been completely happy, though for a small pod the Giottos was pretty good.

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http://www.andrewsandersphotography.co.uk

kenmof61 said:

Giottos. Most will suggest Bogen/Manfrotto but the Giottos centre column can be set at any almost angle you wishmaking it excellent for macro unlike the Manfrotto's. Give them a look, I don't think you will be disappointed.

Click to expand...

Hmm ... wouldn't moving the camera off of the centre of the tripod degrade the overall stability? Personally I use a Manfrotto 055 MF3 with the centre column removed (per the advice in John Shaw's books never to use the things), and have never had a problem ...

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My gallery of so-so nature photos:
http://martinch.zenfolio.com/

Robert, you don't necessarily need a tripod. Hand held D700, 105macro, Kenco extension tube:







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http://www.pbase.com/peter55/galleries

Hmmm, 1 and 3 are not sharp. That looks like a good advert for a tripod (or a monopod) to me.
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http://www.andrewsandersphotography.co.uk

Slimandy, that is the best I can do while walking around the garden, but its no fun with a tripod.

I use the Manfroto 190x plus the 804rc2 head, works nicely with the lighter loads, and the Gitzo 3541 xls with a Wimberly type 2 with the AP553 pllate required for the 500vr.

As a rule I use a tripod with the Kenco extension tube but did not in this case.

Thanks for the comment. Peter
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http://www.pbase.com/peter55/galleries

With the huge 105 VR, the camera-lens combo becomes very unbalanced and difficult to handle on a ballhead. Before you start looking into tripods, you should consider upgrading your lens with a Burzynski tripod collar:

https://www.isarfoto.com/cms.php/_pid:28586,l:500,pp:0,ps:az,st:burzynski%20105/de/0/Produkt.html

The tripod collar can be attached easily without having to manipulate the lens itself, the only downside is that the window with the distance scale will be obscured. Furthermore, the lens will be then even more bulky.

The Burzynski collar has an Arca-Swiss compatible foot but also threads to attach other quick-change plates.

Hi
Thanks for thr great response.

I need a tripod hand held shots just just hit and miss some in focus then some just off focus.
Will take camera and lens to a photo store and try out see which is best for me.
thanks again
Rob
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Still Breathing

Forget center columns. Three section without center columns offers much more regidity.

ghuebner said:

The tripod collar can be attached easily without having to manipulate the lens itself, the only downside is that the window with the distance scale will be obscured.

Click to expand...

Is that the same distance scale that also tells you what magnification you are at? I sold my 105VR and bought a Sigma 150 macro (which has a collar). I think that is a better idea unless you need VR for hand-held.

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http://www.andrewsandersphotography.co.uk

Hi
Thanks for all advice I have finally bought a tripod A Giottos MTL33 series.
Taken 1st shots using it.
Have more keepers now.
Please take a look and any advice welcomed.
Thanks again for your help.
Cheers
Rob

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jojorob2009/sets/72157621904688214/
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Still Breathing