ON TOPIC BIT FOLLOWS>>>>
> I agree that is should reach eye level (or a little higher) without
> extending the center post. Extending the center post turns your
three point
> stable tripod into a monopod which is much less stable and defeats
the
> purpose of using the tripod.
It makes it less stable for sure but except in strong winds I think
"much less stable" is overstating it. In no way does mine ever become
as bad as a monopod even when I choose to extend the centre column
instead of the legs. In a strong wind subject movement would be
bigger problem.
Strangely, this argument normally comes from non-tripod users.
ON TOPIC BIT>>>>>>>
One picture of a fly I have on line right now was taken with the
centre column extended (ca 2 feet above apex) simply because I needed
to use a lower leg spread to get close to the object the insect was
perched on. Total magnification is near 2.5x on film (180 macro :
25mm + 13mm tubes : 2x converter).
http://www.st-abbs.fsnet.co.uk/tempery/vomitty-fly.jpg
Exposure was about 1/2 sec (no flash)
The second shot is not the full frame but cropped to show inherent
detail of eyes better.
http://www.st-abbs.fsnet.co.uk/tempery/fly_head.jpg
Exposure was 0.3 sec (no flash).
I think if tripod was not stable in that configuration I would not be
able to count facets of the eye!
In a strong wind subject movement would be bigger problem.
> I can't imagine using a 4'5" tripod all day,
> my back would kill me from constantly bending over; especially
during those
> times where you're set up for hours watching wildlife from the same
spot.
I agree with you though: I would not want on that didn't extend far
enough. For landscapes I would not tolerate one that was not as tall
as eye ;o)
However: for 90% of wildlife you actually *want* to get lower. It
mostly makes for a more pleasing shot.
> If weight
> is more of a factor than cost, you may consider carbon fiber, but
the 30%
> weight difference of carbon fiber for me is not worth the price
difference.
I agree! For nature work anyway. But for a general purpose tripod
(to aid landscape/architecture composition as much as to aid
stability)
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