Which tripod to go for ?
 

Hi All,

I've been looking to get a new tripod to help with macro shots currently i own the velbon 640, but im after a tripod the offers extreme angles needed for this kind on work

This is my current tripod

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/prod...px?sku=1000295


The 2 i have looked at are the ones below

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=200332560983

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=110351812175


Has anybody used one of these? and can they be recommended or even recommend a tripod :)

Manfrotto 055 series tripods are very good - stable, v flexible in terms of leg angles, easily rotatable centre column. I have 2 - an old aluminium 3 section which has given many years of good service, and a carbon fibre 4 section which I bought a few months ago for longer trips when I need a lighter more compact tripod.
They can be set at ground level with the legs completely splayed out and the centre column horizontal, or the legs can be set at different angles independently.
I have used several heads on these legs, but for macro, I find a geared head and a focussing rail gives the most accurate control of framing and focal plane. (And dont forget to use a cable release and mirror lock-up if you can - at 1:1 magnification even slight vibrations can be a problem)

Another vote for the Manfrotto 055 series, such as this one
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/prod...px?sku=1019760

You could reuse the head off your velbon if you buy a thread adaptor (1/4" to 3/8" I think?)

I'd agree with the others that the Manfrotto 055 series are very good, especially the Pro version which allows easy low level shooting. The 190 series is also good, just a bit smaller (and thus not quite so stable). I'd also recommend having a look at the better Velbon models, the 535/635 CF tripods are outstanding - very stable yet very light weight. I have tested a couple of the Giottos tripods, they're fine but not up to the standard of the Manfrottos or the Velbons.

I had a Velbon CF530 which I found a bit too light for its own good, wobbled badly in a stiff breeze. You HAD to hang a bag off the bottom hook, otherwise it was useless outdoors. The CF63x series seem to be much superior than the 53x series, albeit with a bit more weight to carry around.

Never understood the good reputation the Manfrotto 190 series has, I found it more wobbly than the Velbon CF530 and more expensive with it.

Duncan

Another vote for the Manfrotto 055 - I have the Magfibre version with an Achratec GV2 head, superb for getting low down especially after putting the centre column in the horizontal.

Is there a need for another vote on Mani 055?
For macro you need to get very close to subject as need may be so even if this is not what you want to get, look at the picture of link Duncan left you and make sure you get a tripod with same low level, then vertical looking down capability.
There are other similar ones but Mani is one well established name.