Okay, I've been browsing at Adorama (and B&H) looking at tripods. I think one would be a good idea for macro work. I don't have a macro prime but I do have two zooms with macro settings, one a good one, 1:2. I've decided to hold off on more Canon glass until I see what happens with the *ist D.
I am fairly tall, so I need one that goes to at least 55" or 56" with the column unextended (even taller would be better, but that height would be okay). I also don't have a lot of upper body strength so I am trying to get one as near to 2 lb. (or less) as possible. Weight is a big factor. I want to spend around $30-60. This will be a starting tripod for me. I have essentially a $20 Phoenix now, not tall enough and too unstable. I can get a better tripod later. Here's two of the cheaper ones at Adorama I've been eyeing: Slik U6600 and Velbon DF-40. At the Sept. NorCal PDML I used Bruce Dayton's monopod. It had a quick release, so that seemed like a good idea. Also Bruce said that when the column is extended, I might as well be using a monopod (which is why I am going for the highest height possible without the column extended). The above two have geared centered columns. Not totally sure what that means. Also they have little spokes from the center column to the outer legs. I would think that provides greater stability. OTOH, a loose column, sometimes I have seen the column reversed with the camera on the bottom, so one can do macros close to the ground. But I am not sure if all the loose columns can reverse that way. 1. Geared column? 2. Loose column? Can all loose columns (or whatever it is called) be reversed? 3. Quick release (not sure if all brand quick release are equal)? 4. Pick up some height on extended column? (Or is extended column a bad idea)? Cheap as possible (under $70) and as light as possible. I am kind of tripod clueless here. Any input welcome. Marnie aka Doe
