Newbie - Need help on tripot for MAcro

[tanyc168]

Dear All,

I am more a senior age guy but not that old, Have been in photographly since OM1 series and now digital.

I am moving to MACRO photography with Canon 100mm USM MAcro lens, understand that a tripod is necessary to prevent shake.

I read the lens manual and it say that there is a seperate purchase of a 'Ring B' Tripot mount. It's a ring mount to the lens body and than mount it to the tripod.

I have a standard tripod where given to me FOC by canon when I brought the camera, So is there a necessary to buy this special mount or maybe need to buy a new tropod too.


Not sure.... can anyone MACRO users' please enlighten me on this with thanks.

Regards,
Peter

 

[sherchoo]

What kind of macro are you doing, still life or insects. For insects, almost all the time you're doing hand held. Insects are not that 'well behave' for you to approach let alone allow you to setup you're tripod at close proximity. 100mm don't really give you very good range. If you have the budget, a tripod is good to be kept handy.

For still life, a tripod would be good. The FOC tripod is not recommended as it is not.. errrr... safe. My bro in-law nearly lost his C40D bcos of the FOC tripod. He's chucked it since since the near-miss incident.

 

[tanyc168]

Hi Sherchoo,

Thanks for replied. I will be shooting miniature flowers out door (Like BG - tiny miniature flowers on the ground that no one notice they are beautiful) and also Butterflies and so insects etc.... at the nature parks.

Today, I mount the Canon 100mm lens to my 400D to and try to shot a still tiny flower on the table BUT the lens tends to drop downwards. The weight of lens is 580gm.

Please help and advise which tripod to buy at my best buget $ Less than 200.


Thank you so much and regards,
Peter

 

[Octarine]

Please help and advise which tripod to buy at my best buget $ Less than 200.

Have a look at this well maintained thread: http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=384016
In addition: this Ring B tripod collar is a good add-on for heavy lenses where the balance point is no longer at the body or close to it. If you still can hold the body and lens comfortably then I don't think you need it. You might want to select a better ball head, the cheaper ones might not be able to hold the cam stable in all positions - the same as what you describe with your cheap tripod.
Also, there is a Macro section here in the forum. Have a look and check with the guys there. I'm sure they can help you with lots of advices.