What do you think of this for Macro?

Overread · Jan 28, 2011

Juza Nature Photography Forum • View topic - Which tripod should i buy?

Read William's viewpoint on the O55XPROB tripod because I agree with him.

In short the low angel adapting mount of the O55XPROB "sounds" really great, but when used in the field it tends to become more of a bother than an aid. Some have taken to using it upside down for a really low angle shot, but otherwise I'd far rather a simple removable centre column and an attachment straight to the tripods base.

Markw · Jan 28, 2011

The 055XB allows the removal of the center collumn and an attachment straight to the legs via the low-angle adapter. That's why I was looking at that and not the 055Xprob.

Mark

Markw · Jan 28, 2011

Wow. I just may be the owner of the most agonizinlgy useless tripod in the history of invention. Just saying..desperately in need of an upgrade.

Mark

Markw · Jan 28, 2011

No opinions on the 055XB..?

Mark

Markw · Jan 29, 2011

Incase I'm not being clear, I am referring to the 055XB, not the 055xPROb.

Mark

Markw · Feb 1, 2011

Alright..so I think that the 055XB legs are just right for me. Good support, almost non-existant low-level shooting, good height when fully extended.

So, to go along with the 055XB, to start off, I cannot justify having the geared head as my only head. That will have to wait a month or two and be added on then. For now, how's a simple 3-way pan/tilt head? I don't think a ballhead will be suitable for macro.

I'm thinking about either:

Manfrotto Heavy Duty Grip Ball Head - Joystick

OR

Manfrotto Basic Pan Tilt Head with Quick Lock - Three Way

Advice between the two?
Mark

Overread · Feb 1, 2011

I've used the 322RC2 - its been sitting in a draw somewhere unused for a long time now. For macro its unsuitable since head droops just after you release your hands of the setup (you won't notice it at regular shooting distances but at 1:2 and 1:1 you will notice it a lot). I've also found it a pain for zoom lenses because to keep the ball head moving you have to keep your hand on the trigger which removes your lens operating hand from the equation.

So of those two I would go for the 3 way over the ballhead