Carbon tripod (require low macro work too)

[413x]

The macro seems to be the issue

The main 2 I have seen are the
Giottos - MTL8361B but the centre column positioning seems slow
3 legged Eddie - reversible column and monopod built in
Manfrotto 055cxpro3 - never seems to win reviews but seems to have a quick centre column adjust

My main requirements are
Light
Being able to do macro work setup quickly, the closer to ground theBetter

I don't mind spending 200 ish on the tripod alone

 

[413x]

thanks for the insight!
the attraction of the eddie was it looked really nice, looked sturdy, the monopod and the ability to put the centre column upside down
that is a worry what you say about it nexus, there isnt that much about it anywhere

Yes, i am more than aware that a lot of non still insects will be handheld and this is what i do now.
One question if you have the manfrotto is ..does the centre column take the camera when pointing directly at the floor?

 

[413x]

I dont think the manfrotto goes low like the other 2 does it? not without its legs being splayed flat? I may be wrong but i havent seen anything to say otherwise

it does seem with both of the others you can be basically touching the floor in normal tripod position
the giottos is much cheaper

 

[413x]

ive decided the giotto is the most flexible it has a 180 degree vertical and 360 degree horizontal centre and seems the cheapest
the eddie doesnt have the 180 degree but only upside down or normal
the manfrotto only sits at 90 or 0

Now they have a whole load of model numbers
the two i am torn between are
YTL8383 - this has a Y column, carbon
MTL8361 - no Y, seems only difference

 

[413x]

that does look an interesting tripod the benbo, i watched the vid and indeed it does look very good for macro!it is fairly hefty!

\is it more appropriate as a second tripod option?

And in regards to the manfrotto suggestion above, i had dismissed it due to the restriction of the centre column

 

[413x]

Take a look at the following Youtube review of the Manfrotto 055CXPro3, it shows how the centre column works. At 9m 20s the video shows how the legs splay and how low it can go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI5ePvT2_Lw

tbh that looks particularly awkward, and id rather not have the legs splayed all over the ground if it isnt fat or something

this is what appeals about the giotto

It's not just hefty, it's ludicrously heavy. But that just makes it incredibly stable no matter how it's contorted to fit the location. Luckily you can also get it in a kit with the standard ballhead and a really comfortable padded holdall. In fact, it's that comfortable, I use the holdall for whichever tripod I decide to use. I think they've also bought out a new version which is a lot lighter but you'll have to do a bit of research into that. I do know that there is a mini version available.

The big advantages of the Benbo is that it can be erected anywhere and it can be submerged in water, mud, sewage, etc. without coming to any harm. It can be set up in seconds (admittedly after a heck of a lot of practice) and the legs can be splayed so that it's literally lying flat on the ground. As it is, you can arrange it so the camera is actually lower than the feet which is quite remarkable. So it can be used for taking a picture of something that's lower than the tripod, say the bank of a river, or the underside of a bridge. The picture may well be upside down but that is easily corrected with a single click.

I wouldn't worry about it as a secondary or backup tripod though as I'm sure the Giottos will serve you well. Think of it more as a specialist bit of kit for those rare occasions where a standard tripod won't go.

think you are right, does look awesome for macro

ill asses if the Y is worth it, but i dont think so, the price is £70 different as far as i can see

 

[413x]

Erm the Manfrotto can do the same thing. The chap in the video folding the legs completely flat is highlighting the fact that they can actually go flat. They will move from the normal position to flat and any position in between and guess what - they splay out just like the ones in your picture!

BTW good luck with keeping that tripod stable with a couple of kg of camera and lens on the end - you will have to put some weight on the opposite side.

I've tried to give an idea of how the Manfrotto works, however it is your money and you seem to have already made your mind up. As I said I don't think you will go far wrong with any of the tripods.

i didnt think the manfrotto went beyond horizontal on the centre column?

 

[413x]

seems a fair few here have it, the Y seems a waste for the small benefit
think the decision is made
would have gone with the manfrotto if it had 180 degree vertical