Macro: The best tripods I use and the tricks for getting low shots

[@OwenEDell]

When using an inverted center column it's helpful to link the camera to a phone or tablet so that the settings can be controlled remotely.

[@leokramp9787]

I use a tripod mount ring on my macro lens. So even when you reversed so central column you are able to use your 5d camera in the normal position. Also prevents your hotshoe connection from getting into the (moist) dirt.

[@kpassaur1830]

When using the center column upside down use a hot shoe to 1/4 by 20 adapter and then connect it to the ball head. This way you can be as low as possible with the camera right side up. The only real difficult with this is that the hot shoe can become loose. However, there are some little hot shoe adapters for video screens that attach and detach with a lever. This makes it super tight, and you can add a swiss arca plate making it easy to attach

[@andrevaca6700]

Thank you so much for pointing this out. I had no idea my tripod could do this, so you saved me quite a bit of cash !

[@jvkperspective]

I was doing a lot of research on tripods for macro, and looking at things like reversible columns, minimum size when folded.... I finally bought the K&F TM2515T1 - it can reverse the column, it also has a T feature so you can mount the camera off centre... I found the reversing to be very fiddly... but since the logs fold all the way over for packing - I found that I don't need to reverse the column just use the legs 'the other way' and since you can tighten those to have a fair amount of friction this turned out to be very stable. Though due to lockdowns - I haven't had as much in the field experience as I wish I had.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

That sounds like a great solution! Do you find the legs as stable when using it like that when they aren't 'locked' in place?

[@brianclark8478]

I have started using my gimbal when reversing the tripod column mounting the camera beneath the tripod apex, this allows full movements with the camera the ‘right way up’

[@scottandlindae3803]

A lot of camers also let you wirelessly tether to a tablet and that makes it even easier to focus and and such for macros, unless you like laying on your stomach.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

You're spot on and that's a great way of working. Sometimes I find wirelessly tethering quite slow to set up when on location so I tend to find live view quicker

[@klackon1]

Because I own a couple of OM1 bodies, I rarely need to use a monopod or tripod these days. If, however, I do require a mini tripod for macro, I use the bottom section of my Sirui 304S hybrid monopod with a Sirui ball head. Works a treat.

[@peterc2248]

Another interesting video, many thanks. As a rather…ahem, overweight chap getting on a bit, I really struggle with low down shots. I tend to carry a small lightweight groundsheet so I can get down on the floor and stay there because getting up and down repeatedly is a real chore. This week, while trying to capture snowdrops, I lay in a graveyard for a while - a tad disconcerting for visiting parishioners! Thanks again 🙂

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thanks for your comment, Peter, always a pleasure! Taking a groundsheet sis a great idea! Even if someone doesn't necessarily struggle to lay down for ground shots it's still not exactly a pleasure doing so so anything that takes the edge off it is a good thing in my book!!

[@josephknowles3135]

I enjoy mushroom macro photography, so I’m constantly out in the woods looking under logs etc. I recently picked up some lightweight foam gardening knee pads and what a game changer. I’m much more comfortable crawling around trying to get the shot, which means I can stay focused on photography instead of my aching knees. Cheapest bit of gear in my kit, and has one of the biggest impacts on my enjoyment of the hobby. I would highly recommend that people make a list of their “annoyances” while out in the field and chances are you can find inexpensive solutions to make your life that much easier!

[@kitminlee9169]

Hi Andrew, great vid. At 5.10, when your camera is inverted with the centre column have you thought of putting your camera in a cage, so as it keep everything upright. I'm looking for something that is not too bulky to carry but can rectify the inverted camera. Another solution get a clamp and attach ball head, then clamp it to the tripod leg.

[@E2MC2]

Gitzo Explorer GT2541EX if you can find one, it is a dream for macro. Mine must be 10 years old and still no problems. Being a Gitzo, it was not inexpensive it is the G-lock legs that make this work so well.

[@bentleybloodworth4282]

I have used a 1x6 board about 8 inches long drill a hole about 1/3rd in from end, counter sink a bit so bolt head does not protrude from the bottom. Make sure it is the size hole for you mount or have two sizes for camera or tripod ball head bolt size. I have used a macro rail on the board then camera to get low as possible so I can adjust for focus bracketing if one isn't using the focus ring. Sure you have to prop a corner or edge to get angle wanted but at least the equipment is off the ground. Screw on the ball head to the board for more flexibility but you will be a bit higher but in most cases that is fine. Just make anything out of let say angle iron, your mom's foot stool to mount a flash, camera, ball head, ect. One can put wheels on one of your creations. People use a bean bag or a flat rock near where your shooting. I have a tripod but the camera upside down is awkward for my Canon 40D so the board bolted to camera for stability works to do focus bracketing. If one isn't doing the focus bracketing then just hold it get your shot.

[@tamarawilliams9951]

For once I already have something you shared. 😃 I just purchased a tripod that allows me to turn the center column upside down. Have not used it yet, but spring is coming. As always, thanks for sharing. I always get so excited when I see a notification that you’ve posted a new one. I know I’m about to learn. I think I’ll pick up that mini tripod for those places where I want to get low, but the spot will not allow me to spread out my regular sized tripod without damaging foliage. Have a great week!!

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thanks so much, Tamara, it's so great having such lovely repeat viewers on my channel! The mini tripod can definitely be helpful in tight spaces but sounds like you've made a great purchase with your regular tripod. Good luck with it!

[@iantulloch4277]

Very informative video Andrew. Please could you give the Amazon link to the small central column piece that you mentioned. This is such a neat trick to enable low macro shots. Thanks. Ian

[@anaphylaxis2548]

My tripod is an Induro 403L and it allows you to remove the center column also.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Nice! I assumed it wasn't just a Gitzo thing but I couldn't find out exactly which ones did allow it!

[@nicolasletellier6162]

For my table tripod, I use the foot ( not sure it's called like that) of my monopod, it has a ball head integrated into so I just screw the focus rail on it a go. But I wish I could find some of this nice novoflex mini tripod where I live.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

That sounds like a great solution. I love finding new ways to use existing kit like that so we don't always have to just go out and buy new things.

[@film317]

Have you considered the Platypod?

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

I have, but it doesn't really offer me much of a better solution over what I use already, bearing in mind that I use the mobile tripod as much for filming and I usually need a full size tripod too, so those two items are pretty much defaults for me.

[@warrengh5647]

Excellent vid Andrew as I have a bit of a tripod fetish trying to figure out the right one. Got a small Gitzo which I cut off most of centre section so it goes right down but also use inverted method using ‘L’ bracket to turn camera back to right way. Thank you for great info.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Gear fetish is something I can sympathise with across all photography items! Using the L bracket that way is a superb shout though and I don't know why I haven't used mine for that before now -- thanks for the tip!

[@1973Antoniob]

Sorry but I don’t understanding well what you say for inverted the L bracket. In what position? Can you explain how? Thanks

[@warrengh5647]

@@1973Antoniob Hi Antonio, if you use a ball head hang camera upside down with it in the portrait position. Then swivel the camera/L bracket into the ball head slot, the camera sits to one side then of ball head. Its like with camera being swivelled to portate when upright with out L bracket. Hope this helps, shame I can't send a photo of set up.

[@warrengh5647]

@@1973Antoniob Hi Antonio, if you use a ball head hang camera upside down with it in the portrait position. Then swivel the camera/L bracket into the ball head slot, the camera sits to one side then of ball head. Its like with camera being swivelled to portate when upright with out L bracket. Hope this helps, shame I can't send a photo of set up.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Very good video andrew, saves me making one about tripods! lmao

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thanks so much for watching, Stewart!

[@brianthomas6500]

Some Manfrotto and other brands allow you to have the centre column in a horizontal position. Then when you spread the legs the camera is very low.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

They do and that can be helpful. I have found though that they can be a bit unbalanced sometimes which makes them a bit tricky to use so I've found the inverted method a little easier all round. Just from my own perspective though, I'm sure others would disagree!

[@letszoomit365]

Thanks a lot for those tips 👌 I never thought about turn the middle part upside down, and I will deffenitly get a mini tripod, Seems like a "have to" sometimes.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

My pleasure, thank you for watching!

[@khanscombe619]

Can you recommend a mini but sturdy geared movement head on the mini legs? 3-5kg D4s w/ macro lens & flash . Right now I’m using on a Bogen 410 junior gear (Stil big) w/ Nikon PB-6 bellow slide for focus in/out

[@hannahroberts9332]

Since doing this video have you seen the other 3 legged thing tripods as they don't suggest the Travis for macro or low level Photography so wondered what made you get Travis 🤔 Thank you

[@adamsmith6594]

If you don't have a removable central column ... dont worry. You may have at least two options but if not you will have one option almost certainly. 1. Remove the central collumn and reverse it as shown. But tye problem with this is that the camera is upside down. Fiddly. 2. Don't bother. You'll need to see if your ball head has a slot carved instead collar to enable putting the camera in portrait mode. If you push the ball head into this slot your camera is now pointing at the ground and is unstable. But that is where you want it. Now make sure you have two legs facing forward with the camera looking down in between. The third leg will be facing you. Now unclip/unlock or whatever so that the leg facing you can be lifted up. You'll need ro lift it up past its widest splayed position and carry on going. This leg will lay flat on the ground. The ball head socket will be angled at about 45 degrees to the ground. Now the two front legs splay out on their widest setting/last catch etc. Now lay it on the ground. Then move your ball head till your camera is level. This should enable you to get your camera about 4 inches off the ground. It will be stable but may be a little front heavy still. Don't worry ... extend the leg facing you. It will create more leverage and if not you can rest your shin on it. Hope that's made some sense lol.

[@Zarar5]

Would you recommend using a 4 section tripod for extended top down shots?

[@ayonsabstracts5496]

can i use a godox flash for my mobile photography?

[@davidf9494]

Anonther good video Andrew! I use a Manfrotto 190 Carbon fibre outdoors for macro work - invert the column as you demonstrated, but I use a Junior 410 gear head that allows all three axes to be dialed in perfectly for the shot. It is heavy and that's it's downside, but I can live with that because I can frame any shot to the mm with no slipage. Looking forward to your next video!

[@dhwardphoto]

Great vid as always. The timing is spot on as I've been looking for a decent table top tripod for home studio use and I have been looking at that Smallrig one. I'm a G9 user so it should hopefully cope with the size and weight okay.

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thanks so much Dave, hopefully it'll be a good option for you! You can find cheaper ball heads on Amazon that will work well on it if the default one that comes with it doesn't work. Or maybe you've got a regular tripod that lets you detach the head and use it on the smallrig base.

[@dog666]

Really Right Stuff Ground Level Tripod is my fav.. bit expensive tho Nice vid!

[@eastwind3550]

Thank you

[@paulm8157]

Sensible presentation, practical tripod applications. Smartphone apps that control cam can solve the inverted cam issue; otherwise, gotta practice my head-stands😁. Still awkward. Would using longer macro lens (e.g., 90mm) make the set-up too top-heavy for a small tripod? BTW, #tutorial tag too broad, IMO; tag based search turns up irrelevant vids like tutorials on applying make-up or giving a haircut (no kidding). Cheers!

[@AndrewLanxonPhotography]

Thanks Paul! I've found the small mobile one I use to be perfectly stable with a Canon 5D4 and 100mm macro lens. The legs spread out very flat so it forms a nice solid base.

[@gianlucapirro9054]

The best is Platypod

[@richerifkind3506]

Just buy a tripod with reverseable legs, no need to remove anything

[@ethanboggio3314]

Get a Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT. You'll thank me later.

[@ld8341]

Not a cheap beanbag, then?