What's your biggest challenge specific to macro photography?

[Geoff F]

And then Gary, you will want to know the identification of all those insects and flowers which you have photographed. So here starts another very serious hobby which means purchasing loads of very detailed large and expensive books! To say nothing of joining numerous recording societies so as to put your photographs to good use by entering the identified details onto the appropriate databases.

I will repeat the warning which I give to all potential macro photographers.

'Macro photography is addictive and will seriously harm your wealth'

[GLSonn]

I have the Manfrotto 055 carbon fibre but I wouldn't recommend it.

Thanks for all your tripod comments. Do you (or anyone else) have any experience with this Vanguard Alto Pro? This is the one I want to get someday. What I have now (similar to yours apparently) is way too heavy - Manfrotto 055XDB, missing a bubble level. I got it years ago on Craigslist.

[GLSonn]

And then Gary, you will want to know the identification of all those insects and flowers which you have photographed. So here starts another very serious hobby which means purchasing loads of very detailed large and expensive books! To say nothing of joining numerous recording societies so as to put your photographs to good use by entering the identified details onto the appropriate databases.

I will repeat the warning which I give to all potential macro photographers.

'Macro photography is addictive and will seriously harm your wealth'

The only book I have so far is Sibley Birds East, as that's where I live - east of the Mississippi in Wisconsin.

You can do a lot of ID these days with phone apps. I have a couple...that I regularly forget to use.

[Manfred M]

That's how I got started too - borrowed a lens from my daughter-in-law.

On the other hand, it also show that neither your daughter-in-law nor my friend missed not having their macro lens around...

[GLSonn]

On the other hand, it also show that neither your daughter-in-law nor my friend missed not having their macro lens around...

Maybe. Or they were too polite to complain.

[Manfred M]

Maybe. Or they were too polite to complain.

Perhaps in your case, but in my case I know my friend hasn't tried macro work in quite some time.

[William W]

Just for absolute clarity, I mentioned Dan and Donald by name - as two of several examples of niche excellence that resides here.

Others in the same ilk know themselves who they are: and the broader community easily can recognize them.

WW

[William W]

. . . Expert macro photographers could have told me that, but even then you don't appreciate just how challenging it is until you try it. . .

One sage lesson for many aspects of life, in one sentence.

WW

[DanK]

Do you (or anyone else) have any experience with this Vanguard Alto Pro? This is the one I want to get someday.

Choosing a tripod is a real PITA. There is a very large variety of features, and what works for one person may not work for another. For example, many landscapers choose a tripod without a center column because the center column can be less stable, but a reversible center column is essential for some of my macro work. Carbon fiber is lighter and vibrates less than aluminum, but it costs more. Some people prefer rotating locks on the legs, while others prefer tabs. Heavier legs are more stable, all else equal, but they are more of pain to carry. And so on. Ball heads also vary a lot in terms of their size and weight, the weight they can support, the smoothness of their operation, and the amount they sag. There is no need to pair a head and legs from the same manufacturer.

My recommendation is that you look at a bunch of moderately priced tripods online and make a list of the features that they collectively have. Then decide which of those are important for you.

The other decision is cost. The difference between inexpensive and moderate-priced legs is considerable. IMHO, the difference between moderately priced and expensive ones is smaller. Ball heads vary a great deal in cost. I ended up replacing my first inexpensive ball head with a more expensive Markins that cost more than my tripod legs (an Oben carbon fiber). Large ball heads are smoother than small ones, but I chose the Markins--which is quite small but is smooth for a small head--because I carry it a lot and didn't want more weight. That's also why I chose a relatively lightweight set of legs.

So, IMHO, I think it's best to decide on your priorities and then see how many of them you can meet within your budget.

[GLSonn]

Choosing a tripod is a real PITA. There is a very large variety of features, and what works for one person may not work for another. For example, many landscapers choose a tripod without a center column because the center column can be less stable, but a reversible center column is essential for some of my macro work. Carbon fiber is lighter and vibrates less than aluminum, but it costs more. Some people prefer rotating locks on the legs, while others prefer tabs. Heavier legs are more stable, all else equal, but they are more of pain to carry. And so on. Ball heads also vary a lot in terms of their size and weight, the weight they can support, the smoothness of their operation, and the amount they sag. There is no need to pair a head and legs from the same manufacturer.

My recommendation is that you look at a bunch of moderately priced tripods online and make a list of the features that they collectively have. Then decide which of those are important for you.

The other decision is cost. The difference between inexpensive and moderate-priced legs is considerable. IMHO, the difference between moderately priced and expensive ones is smaller. Ball heads vary a great deal in cost. I ended up replacing my first inexpensive ball head with a more expensive Markins that cost more than my tripod legs (an Oben carbon fiber). Large ball heads are smoother than small ones, but I chose the Markins--which is quite small but is smooth for a small head--because I carry it a lot and didn't want more weight. That's also why I chose a relatively lightweight set of legs.

So, IMHO, I think it's best to decide on your priorities and then see how many of them you can meet within your budget.

Cool. Thanks for the general recommendations. I think I didn't know that heads and legs didn't have to stay together.

[Manfred M]

Cool. Thanks for the general recommendations. I think I didn't know that heads and legs didn't have to stay together.

The cheap ones come as a unit, the better ones let you select the legs and head separately. In most cases, you can have a tripod where the legs come from one company and the head from another. As an example, I have Feisol legs and my main ball head comes from Really Right Stuff (RRS). I also have a smaller Benro ball head that I use on occasion and a Benro geared head that I use for still life and closeup work.

With my Feisol legs, I have the choice of either using a centre column or a fixed plate if I want a super stable platform.

If you are looking at a tripod, I would suggest getting one that has an Arca-Swiss compatible mount as this is as close to a universal mount as you can get with tripods. This lets you mix and match components to mount on it. For example, I use hardware from RRS, Benro, LeoFoto, Sunwayfoto, LeoFoto and Kirk with my RRS and Benro heads.

[GLSonn]

The cheap ones come as a unit, the better ones let you select the legs and head separately. In most cases, you can have a tripod where the legs come from one company and the head from another. As an example, I have Feisol legs and my main ball head comes from Really Right Stuff (RRS). I also have a smaller Benro ball head that I use on occasion and a Benro geared head that I use for still life and closeup work.

With my Feisol legs, I have the choice of either using a centre column or a fixed plate if I want a super stable platform.

If you are looking at a tripod, I would suggest getting one that has an Arca-Swiss compatible mount as this is as close to a universal mount as you can get with tripods. This lets you mix and match components to mount on it. For example, I use hardware from RRS, Benro, LeoFoto, Sunwayfoto, LeoFoto and Kirk with my RRS and Benro heads.

More tripod goodness. Thanks!

[DanK]

I would suggest getting one that has an Arca-Swiss compatible mount

Let me second that. If you don't, you will either be locked into a proprietary system or will have to swap plates when you have more than one clamp.

If you go to a reputable online store like B&H photo and search for carbon fiber tripods, you will find more brands than you would want to see. The way I handled this was to sort on price and then make a list of the features of moderately priced models from reputable brands like Oben, Sirui, Benro, and Slik, among others. Some sites, like B&H, have a detailed list of specs for every entry, so you can rapidly see the range of features.

Keep in mind as you look at them that some will have heads included, while many, including most of the better ones, won't. If you consider those that have heads included, be careful to check whether they have arca-swiss compatible clamps, as Manfred wrote. Manfrotto generally doesn't, but many brands do.

[GLSonn]

Let me second that. If you don't, you will either be locked into a proprietary system or will have to swap plates when you have more than one clamp.

If you go to a reputable online store like B&H photo and search for carbon fiber tripods, you will find more brands than you would want to see. The way I handled this was to sort on price and then make a list of the features of moderately priced models from reputable brands like Oben, Sirui, Benro, and Slik, among others. Some sites, like B&H, have a detailed list of specs for every entry, so you can rapidly see the range of features.

Keep in mind as you look at them that some will have heads included, while many, including most of the better ones, won't. If you consider those that have heads included, be careful to check whether they have arca-swiss compatible clamps, as Manfred wrote. Manfrotto generally doesn't, but many brands do.

Thanks again. So, while this isn't necessarily macro-specific (we've wandered a bit which is fine), it is definitely something a macro photographer should think about.

[DanK]

Thanks again. So, while this isn't necessarily macro-specific (we've wandered a bit which is fine), it is definitely something a macro photographer should think about.

It is and it isn't. This goes back to my first question: what do you want to do?

One of the features that should be on your list is center column (none, reversible, nonreversible). I mentioned that many landscape photographers prefer tripod legs that extend to the height they need without a center column. For my purposes, however, that would be a mistake. I need a center column to make minor height adjustments when doing studio macro, and I need a reversible one for some ground-level macro.

IMHO, in making any decision about equipment, including a tripod, the starting point is the types of work you want to do. That should help you figure out the inevitable tradeoffs.

[GLSonn]

It is and it isn't. This goes back to my first question: what do you want to do?

One of the features that should be on your list is center column (none, reversible, nonreversible). I mentioned that many landscape photographers prefer tripod legs that extend to the height they need without a center column. For my purposes, however, that would be a mistake. I need a center column to make minor height adjustments when doing studio macro, and I need a reversible one for some ground-level macro.

IMHO, in making any decision about equipment, including a tripod, the starting point is the types of work you want to do. That should help you figure out the inevitable tradeoffs.

It seems to me that a macro photographer - no matter the type or style - would want (maybe not need) a tripod sooner or later. Holding that camera body still enough without one is just too tough sometimes - at least, for me it is.

[xpatUSA]

It seems to me that a macro photographer - no matter the type or style - would want (maybe not need) a tripod sooner or later. Holding that camera body still enough without one is just too tough sometimes - at least, for me it is.

And not just macro photographers, Gary. After all, detail is detail whether it's hair on a fly or blades of grass 50 yards away.

At 80 yrs old I have almost constant hand tremors, so most hand-held shots are a crap-shoot for me - I always use a tripod for any serious shots ... a tall one for normal shots, a short one for table-top or low-on-the-ground work.

[GLSonn]

And not just macro photographers, Gary. After all, detail is detail whether it's hair on a fly or blades of grass 50 yards away.

At 80 yrs old I have almost constant hand tremors, so most hand-held shots are a crap-shoot for me - I always use a tripod for any serious shots ... a tall one for normal shots, a short one for table-top or low-on-the-ground work.

Oh, absolutely, Ted. And especially if you have the physical problems like that. (My dad used to have that too...not that he was a photographer though).

[William W]

It seems to me that a macro photographer - no matter the type or style - would want (maybe not need) a tripod sooner or later. Holding that camera body still enough without one is just too tough sometimes - at least, for me it is.

Pedantic - as I reckon it is required here to aid quality 'blue sky' thinking:

I think "Holding that camera body still enough without one is just too tough sometimes" - is a reasonable premise.

However, that does not mean the solution is "would want (maybe not need) a tripod sooner or later".

I know a fellow who almost exclusively does close up and (sometimes) macro work - (macro meaning 1:1) - and he is never out of the studio: he rarely uses a Tripod, he uses a Camera Stand; Dolly; Three Way Head and Macro Racks. Yes he's eccentric - that's about $10,000 in gear.

On the other hand outdoors with bugs and flowers, I have seen some great work done with a sand bag or Monopod - both easier to move than a Tripod.

It depends what you want to do. (Others have mentioned that and it is worthwhile mentioning again: too many folk buy stuff that they don't require, based upon what other people use and not their own uses).

WW

[Stagecoach]

It seems to me that a macro photographer - no matter the type or style - would want (maybe not need) a tripod sooner or later. Holding that camera body still enough without one is just too tough sometimes - at least, for me it is.

Whilst tripods can be useful in some situations, for many situations they are a hindrance. Critters and bugs rarely stay still and minor movements by them can require a tripod movement to retain wanted framing and magnification.

Use of flash, which is ideal for macro, aids hand holding tremendously.