Best tripod/Ball-Head Combinations for macro/CloseUp Photography

[MyLifeThruLenses]

Would you, professionals, recommend the best tripod/Ball-Head combinations for Macro/CloseUp photography and what, in your opinion, 1-2 features makes it best?
Thank you very much in advance.
--
Nezih Cakir

 

[Microshooter]

I recently swithched from a ball head (which I love for everything...almost)) to a Manfrotto 410 geared head for macro. It is sooo much better and faster to position and frame your macro shots. After using the geared head for about a month now I would have no other head but a geared head for macro.

 

[CLOSED ACCOUNT]

Would you, professionals, recommend the best tripod/Ball-Head combinations for Macro/CloseUp photography and what, in your opinion, 1-2 features makes it best?
Thank you very much in advance.

I'd never use a ballhead for macro, or any other "precision" based shooting.

(in fact, I shoot with a geared head ALL the time these days...indoors, or outside)

I always use a 'geared' head (currently the Manfrotto 410) which offers fine adjustments, etc.

Also, a geared head...doesn't have that annoying 'return-slack' kickback response that many ballheads have.

http://kvincentphotography.ca/stackedimages
http://kvincentphotography.ca/designerflorals
http://kvincentphotography.ca/macro

KEV



"It is a small gesture, but one that can be very effective - especially in a large crowd. So fart, and if you must, fart often. But always fart without apology. Fart for freedom, fart for liberty, and fart proudly" (Benjamin Franklin 'The Dream' 1751)

http://kvincentphotography.ca/stackedimages
http://kvincentphotography.ca/designerflorals
http://kvincentphotography.ca/macro

 

[Microshooter]

To add to my other post ....you asked for some specifics as to why I prefer the Manfrotto 410 geared head.

1. It moves in three axis..up/down...tilt l/r....pan l/r.

2. Has a quick release knob that allows you to move it into general position and then knobs that you turn (for all 3 axis) for fast and smooth fine tuning. It's great and quick.

3. Also it is solid...has a QR clamp and plate, and the adjustment knobs can be back-turned only a hair...but it locks down that axis nice and tight. Not as tight as a ball head ...but it's tight.

4. It does not cost an arm and a leg.

5. The 405 is a monster from what I hear...I don't need it.... and my rig frequently has my D800 w/ Nikon 105VR, Raynox 250 diopter and a Nikon R1 lens mount flash system with 2 SB-200's.

 

[Snapshott]

What do you plan to shoot? I'll jump in and agree with the Manfrotto 410 geared head for all the reasons KEV and Macroshooter have stated. As KEV stated the precise adjustments make it a lot easiers to make very fine adjustments. Then if you feel the need a quality focusing rail makes it even better.

The only downside is that the geared head is fairly large and tall compared to a ball head so you can't get very low to the ground if that it what you are after.
--
Snapshott

 

[FritsThomsen]

Well .. I mainly take pictures of lively insects like butterflies, damselflies and dragonflies .. so I need a much faster and simpler solution than suggested in the previous posts.

I use a Berlebach wooden tripod , its leg can be spread out , flat on the ground .
The head is a Novoflex Magicball which is also very fast and flexible.

Avoid all those gadgets , like centre columns that can be turned up-side down , gears , rails et.c. ... unless you have an hour or so to put it all in place

--
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[tonyjr]

1st , it is a hobby
It really depends on what you shoot .
Macro can mean anything from close focusing to the MP-E 65 / Microscope .

I use 3 axis , single free floating [ one adjustment for up / down . sideway ] ball head , then you get into tracks and bellows to a single up / down on a monopod .

What are you shooting / or want to ? Just going to use for that or as a general purpose . How important is the weight ? Cost ?

 

[pictureted]

Good points.

I agree that a geared head is perfect for set-up shots, but it would be worthless when tracking butterflies with a 300/4 AF-S and extension tubes.

No tripod I've worked with is as effective at ground level as the Kirk Low-pod (I use an Acra-Tek ball head that's open to allow for cleaning) and it works perfectly.

If you do a lot of field work above ground level and want to minimize weight, the Gitzo carbon fiber GT-2541EX allows you to position your tripod head in odd or extreme situations. I use mine with an Arca Swiss Z1 and am very happy with it.

Because I do a fair number of set-up shots, I plan on getting a geared head in the future, I'd also recommend focusing rails and extension rails.

Without knowing what you plan to shoot, there is no "best" tripod and head for macro.

 

[WUCV]

I also recently started Macro and I use Benro A1580F Tripod Legs with Vanguard GH-200 pistol ball head.

There are many tripod choices which allows you to go very low level (close to the ground) and yes, the tripod head you use give you the advantage of positioning your camera for the perfect shot. I was using Manfrotto Ball Heal 495 RC 2 and it was not giving the flexibility I was looking for.

I like the pistol grip bcoz it gives me the freedom and the flexibility to maneuver my camera with a one grip, instead of loosing and tiding nobs.

However, I feel this is a personal preference.

 

[SteB]

I would also recommend a geared head such as the Manfrotto 410. The main problem is it's size and weight.

Swiss Arca make a much lighter geared head but it is very expensive compared to the Manfrotto. Ball heads have got some advantages for making rapid adjustments. However, for precision framing, especially below 1:1 a geared head allows far more precise framing than a ball head.

https://www.onlandscape.co.uk/2011/06/the-arca-d4-a-new-standard-for-geared-heads/

 

[NancyP]

This is a great head, unfortunately rather heavy, but otherwise outstanding once the Manfrotto clamp is replaced with an Arca-type clamp from Hejnarphoto.

 

[NancyP]

This is the simplest and most flexible means of stabilizing for quick single macro shots above ground level. Get a sturdy thin stick (hiking pole, bamboo plant stake, fishing rod prop, dowel), put one end on the (solid) ground, and grab both camera and stick in the left hand. You can now slide camera up and down the stick, adjust for framing and angle with your wrist (or move the end on the ground), and do critical focus by moving stick back and forth while you watch the Live View. This works well for slow-moving insects.

 

[D Cox]

Would you, professionals, recommend the best tripod/Ball-Head combinations for Macro/CloseUp photography and what, in your opinion, 1-2 features makes it best?
Thank you very much in advance.

I'd never use a ballhead for macro, or any other "precision" based shooting.

(in fact, I shoot with a geared head ALL the time these days...indoors, or outside)

I always use a 'geared' head (currently the Manfrotto 410) which offers fine adjustments, etc.

Also, a geared head...doesn't have that annoying 'return-slack' kickback response that many ballheads have.

I agree that a geared head is best, at least for large tripods. I use a Manfrotto head on a Benbo tripod. Next best is pan-and-tilt.

However, I do often use the Leitz table-top tripod for studio setups, with the large ball head (the version with changeable screw threads) and it works very well with no slack. It shows that it is possible to make a useful ball head. (I think this particular version is out of production, but it can be found on eBay.)

 

[Robert A. Johnson]

Does anyone use a monopod for this kind of quick macro shot and which one is recommended ???

Bob J

 

[LifeIsAVerb]

Does anyone use a monopod for this kind of quick macro shot and which one is recommended ???

Bob J

.

When chasing mobile subjects, i usually just monopodify my tripod by folding up the legs so they come together in more or less one point. Much less set up time makes it easier to get things that can flit away at any moment. It's a bit of a compromise (What isn't?), since one has to use a shorter shutter time and wider aperture, but in full sun, it's workable.

Example (Sony NEX-7; Vivitar 90mm macro):